The Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center is looking to bring on new diversity educators to help spearhead the school’s efforts to provide a welcome space for every member of the community, and all students are invited to apply.
Diversity educators serve as a resource for all of campus on the topics of race, ideology, religion, lifestyle, gender, income and other important topics that an individual comes into contact with throughout their educational and professional career.
Before working with the campus and community, diversity educators are extensively trained and educated on the topics they cover, and they examine their own personal role in a diverse campus.
“We do a lot of self work,” said Leadership and Civic Engagement Director Joy Fulkerson, who directs the program. “They are looking at their own privilege, their own biases — sort of doing that work for themselves. But then they also are interested in sharing that in a broader sense, so they then go about campus and facilitate conversations around those topics.”
Diversity educators have been involved in several events and topics across campus, including providing mediated conversations about sensitive topics within classes. Peer-to-peer education is their main goal with the hopes of helping students and community members open up to those they see as close to themselves.
“I think oftentimes things go a little farther, you know, just in terms of hearing from somebody that’s like you and is in the same place as you — understands sort of what you’re going through,” said Fulkerson.
Students who become diversity educators are expected to commit to meetings every other week over Zoom, as well as attend and run relevant events on campus and in the community. After an increase in funding, Fulkerson said the program is also looking at making individual stipends available to educators, but the exact amount depends on the program’s number of incoming students.
Fulkerson said some of the most important qualities in diversity educators are flexibility, understanding and the ability to keep an open mind.
“People who can agree to this value of ‘People come first and are treated with dignity and respect.’” said Fulkerson. “I think people who have a sense of compassion and a sense of empathy. People who are, again, open-minded and maybe willing to grow and learn and sort of admit where they themselves might be more challenged.”
The program benefits not only the campus but the educators themselves. The lessons learned and interpersonal skills developed throughout the program are expected to help throughout their professional and personal lives. Members of the program spoke to the educational and personal value that was added through their time as an educator.
“I chose this program because from a young age I have been passionate about equality and social justice,” said Cassandra Walls, an educator who has spent a year in the program. “This program offered a chance to learn about other cultures, abilities, races and religions in a respectful and active manner.”
Walls said one of the most enriching experiences she had in the program was when she led a facilitation with a former graduate assistant leader in an entry level class.
“We introduced the information and examples of microaggressions and micro assaults which can chip away at self-esteem and dignity of a person over time,” Walls said. “To be in front of a class of students, actively engaging and teaching them about the impact of privilege and the importance of diversity is a rewarding experience.”
Diversity educator Boyonoh Fahngon said she wants to be able to understand, empathize and appreciate other cultures and perspectives, no matter how different they are from her own.
“I feel that is the true beauty of diversity,” Fahngon said. “The ability to appreciate everyone’s outlook on life.”
Anyone interested in building an appreciation and understanding of diversity on campus and within themselves can apply online or reach out to diversityeducation@mail.etsu.edu. The application deadline is Oct. 9.
