DEI News

Plurilingual Voices Panel

Betsy Baertlein, Global Learning Faculty at Kirkwood, led a discussion highlighting the importance of plurilingualism and respecting multilingual students during International Education Week. A student panel shared their experiences, including a Liberian student studying psychology and communications, a Saudi Arabian native studying liberal arts, a Mexican-American student, a Salvadoran student studying business and management, and a Togolese student studying criminology and criminal justice. The significance of language in cultural identity, community cohesion, and preserving indigenous place names was also discussed. The panel discussed ways to integrate and succeed as multilingual students in an English-speaking class and the importance of connecting with people from different cultures and languages. Watch a recording of the event.

International Education Week Celebration

International Education Week is an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide. Institutions across the United States and around the world hosted events throughout the week to recognize international students, education abroad, and internationalization. Kirkwood events included Global Learning Coffee and Tea Time, International Showcase Day, Global Service and Culture Showcase-Coralville, Study Abroad Application Help Session, Plurilingual Voices Student Panel, and a World Food Celebration.

Iowa Hall went global this week as well to celebrate with Food and Music, featuring traditional international dishes and playing global music throughout the week. The Kirkwood community had many opportunities to learn more about the traditions of other countries, sample delicious food, and discover new music! All were welcome to attend any and all events and it was a fantastic week of celebrating the importance of learning about other cultures and communities.

TRIO Day for Meskwaki Settlement HS Students

Something new was incorporated this year by bringing in students in grades 9-12, without the pen pal letters aspect done with the younger grades. This is a visit day that is led specifically by our TRIO students. We worked with Leah Slick Driscoll at the Meskwaki High school in planning it and she offered the idea of having students present on social and community issues of note for Indigenous peoples. We invited George Patterson who teaches a Native studies class here at Kirkwood and he planned for his students to attend this presentation during their class period so they could learn from members of the community as well.

The high school students chose a topic they were passionate about. The presentation board display picture above is about bringing awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women as this is a huge issue within Indigenous communities. We also invited Kirkwood staff and faculty to the presentations and would like to thank everyone who took time out of their day to come and hear these students present on important issues.
Learn more about Kirkwood's TRIO program.

TRIO Pen Pal Program with Meskwaki Students

This was the second year doing the TRIO pen pal program with Aimee Bradley’s fifth grade class at the Meskwaki Settlement school in Tama, IA. Morgan Bear, Kirkwood TRIO Advisor, attended the Meskwaki Settlement school all his life and for as long as he can remember, college has not been the norm within his tribe. Being from a unique area and tribe, it is hard to leave and go off into the world when much of the world does not understand where we come from as indigenous people. After changing this cycle for myself and coming into my career after graduate school, he wanted to help in some way as he was in the space to do so.  He created this program so students as young as fifth grade hear the word “college” earlier and get a visual picture of what this might look like for them some day. They are paired with a TRIO student and exchange letters all academic year. At the end of the year we bring them to campus for a visit. For my TRIO students, Bear wanted to give them the opportunity to be a mentor, leader, expand their resume and create an experience they can take with them going forward. Many of the fifth-grade students and the Kirkwood TRIO students come from similar backgrounds, so both groups really take a lot away from this experience.
Learn more about Kirkwood's TRIO program.

KBSU-Kirkwood Black Student Union Created

The Kirkwood Black Student Union became an official club on campus April 13, 2023. The KBSU is dedicated to promoting intellectual, cultural, and social diversity at Kirkwood. It will foster a sense of community and give students a place to voice their concerns and views, while encouraging academic excellence and cultural awareness. Student Services sponsors the club.
Learn more about clubs and organizations on campus.

Jordan Mix Presentations

In November and January, Jordan Mix of Iowa Safe Schools offered the presentations “Life at a Crossroads: An Intersectionality Primer” and “Supporting Students, Supporting Safe Schools”.

During the first, participants explored the history of the term intersectionality and how the intersecting identities of our own backgrounds form the unique life experience we each have. They then considered how this framework can applied in a meaningful way. After investigating their own experience, they turned the lens outward to think about how they can also apply these ideas to their own work.

For the second presentation, participants were offered an overview of important terminology in today’s LGBTQ community.  As terminology continues to evolve and grow it’s challenging to feel confident in utilizing the language that these individuals use to talk about their lives and experiences. After defining contemporary terms, Mix gave a more in-depth exploration into understanding common transgender experiences. Using recent survey data, participants studied the current landscape for LGBTQ students and young adults in Iowa and were presented with concrete strategies for student inclusion including a pronouns and gender-inclusive language activity.

Find out more about Jordan Mix and Iowa Safe Schools at iowasafeschools.org. Learn more about connecting with LGBTQIA+ people and allies on campus as well as resources and scholarships through Kirkwood Pride, one of our clubs and organizations.