With public consciousness around social justice issues on the rise, many universities have been urged to integrate policies and funding for diversity-based initiatives into their institutions. However, location and campus culture play a critical role in the success of such endeavors, and Tennessee Tech is a prime example of the negative impact these factors can have. As a predominantly white institution with over 90% of student religious organizations being Christian, our university has struggled to provide those from minoritized backgrounds tangible resources and representation. As a woman of color armed with this knowledge, I’ve dedicated my time on campus to working within the system as a catalyst for change in three key areas: public education, stakeholder partnership, and professional development.
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One of my primary concerns over the past few years has been a severe lack of awareness regarding diverse social issues. Through student organizations and course work, I engaged in a variety of local education efforts. As President of our university’s animal rights group, VegTTU, I coordinated numerous film screenings, protests, leaflet handouts, potlucks, and informational booths, often in conjunction with events organized by the Office of Sustainability. My goal was to cultivate local appreciation for plant-based lifestyles and animal/environmental justice. In regards to human rights, I focused much of my attention in class to integrate advocacy work into course content. As our final project for my Women and Gender studies class, I analyzed and synthesized various literature to create an infographic drawing a connection between capitalist practices and period poverty. This work inspired me to pursue the development of various campus and community-wide programs focused on educational activities designed to inspire individuals to empathize with marginalized groups throughout academia and the work force. By creating events focused on intersectionality, I hope to inspire the desire for more high-impact, justice-oriented programming in rural communities.
In addition to educational events, committee work also offered me a platform to enact change. In Fall 2018, I was invited to be a student representative in a committee of faculty and staff focused on inclusion-based issues. During this time, we developed a list of structural changes to be implemented. Administration approved our proposal to appoint an individual who would be responsible for spearheading institutional diversity goals and the following year, the university’s first Chief Diversity Officer was elected. Although campus-based initiatives are crucial to shifting the social climate, stakeholder buy-in, particularly within the local community, is equally essential. For example, plant-based food options at restaurants in Cookeville are incredibly limited. This impacts not only vegans and vegetarians, but those with allergies and sensitivities as well. Realizing this, I began researching local eateries often visited by Tech students. I reached out to those businesses to see if they would be willing to add at least one completely vegan option to their regular menu, explaining the need for dietary inclusivity. Within the span of a few months, I partnered with Crepe & Crème and Lazy Cow Creamery to help develop meat, dairy, and allergen-free items. Today, Crepe & Crème serves vegan crepes and bubble tea, while Lazy Cow Creamy offers over four plant-based ice cream flavors on their regular menu.
Although campus and community growth have both been an essential part of my activism, I have also sought to integrate my own personal and professional development into the work I do. To aid in my roles as an organizer, I interned with The Humane League as a Campus Organizer and was admitted to the ACLU National Advocacy Institute College and Community Program, where I received advanced training in grassroots organizing, policy development, and legal advocacy. Having a unique social and educational background, I decided use my lived experience as a way to 1) increase representation in leadership roles on campus and 2) fuel my own growth as an individual and a professional. During the summers of 2017 and 2018, I was employed as a Student Orientation Assistant in the Office of New Student and Family Programs and was awarded Returner of the Year in 2018. I also served as an Ambassador for the College of Engineering through the Clay N. Hixson Student Success Center. In both roles, I received the opportunity to not only develop my own interpersonal and communication skills, but also connect with incoming freshmen, their families, and prospective students to share my perspective.