Upward Bound Experience

The following blog entry is from Jericha, a Multicultural Ambassador with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion after leading an activity about diversity and inequities in our society.

Upward Bound Experience

            We hosted a Culture Walk for the Tarleton Upward Bound students. I am VERY EXCITED so far and happy I got to meet so many new people! To start off with the program we broke into groups and the students played Bingo! It was cool because they had to interact with everyone in order to fill the cards. It really seemed like the students enjoyed the Bingo because they were able to learn new things about the people they have been spending so much time with.

                Next we did the Line of Equity. I really liked this activity because when we practiced it I was a little conflicted. I was not really sure what my position was representing but after discussing it I was able to see what I have gained from the activity.

               The students participated well and listened intently. Once every one took their positions we discussed how it made them feel. Some were confused as to why there was such a big difference in the group, and after discussing they realized that this activity reflects our society, being that there is a top, middle, and bottom. We tired to explain that being in the front does not make you "winner" and being in the back does not make you a 'loser.' I think the students really enjoyed this activity and will take away an appreciation for the diversity that surrounds us.

                 Towards the end we had some extra time so as a group we talked about where we are from and what interests us. This was great because it yet again gave us a chance to see how diverse our group was, and how we are all here in peace. We tired to express that everyone can be comfortable here which I think is very important so that that may take as much away from this activity as they can. I really enjoyed working with these students, my colleagues, and I look forward to even more great things to come!

~ Jericha H., Multicultural Ambassador

We hope that you will stop by the office (TSC # 21). Also, look for us on social media. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TarletonDiversityInclusion and read along with our journeys here on the blog:  http://tarletondiversityinclusion.blogspot.com/ 

You can also see our images on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarletondiversity/ 

Or follow us on Twitter: @DiversityTSU or email us directly at Diversity@Tarleton.edu  

Being a Multicultural Ambassador

The following blog entry is from Tiana, a Multicultural Ambassador with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion after leading an activity about diversity and inequities in our society.

I did it again…I stepped out of my comfort zone.

We got to work with Upward Bound students today. I've never felt more confident in my abilities as a group leader. Even with all of the mistakes I made—forgetting the sign-in sheet [(seriously? I’m certain that was covered in Event Hosting 101) (I didn't take Event Hosting 101) (Event Hosting 101 isn't really a class) (It might be)], messing up Diversity Bingo (how does one even do that?), nearly neglecting to mention relevant statistics during the Diversity Walk (which, by the way, is a great activity to get students talking)—I think I was successful. The students were engaged, excited, and eager to ask questions and share their thoughts.

I want to do it again.

I want to talk to students again. I want to teach them and I want to learn from them.

I want to tell them how wonderful it is to be a Multicultural Ambassador at Tarleton State University.

Multicultural Ambassadors preparing for our activity

We hope that you will stop by the office (TSC # 21). Also, look for us on social media. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TarletonDiversityInclusion and read along with our journeys here on the blog:  http://tarletondiversityinclusion.blogspot.com/ 

You can also see our images on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarletondiversity/ 

Or follow us on Twitter: @DiversityTSU or email us directly at Diversity@Tarleton.edu  

Diversity Walk with Upward Bound Students

The following blog entry is from Terra, a Multicutltural Ambassador and Intern with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion after leading an activity about diversity and inequities in our society.

Diversity Walk

Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason came to me with an opportunity to lead a group of Upward Bound Students in a “Diversity Walk” activity. I was ecstatic. This was an opportunity to which I couldn't say no. Dr. Lora told me to gather up a group of interested Multicultural Ambassadors (M.A.) to help me co-facilitate the “Diversity Walk”. The “Diversity Walk” included an ice breaker (Diversity Bingo) and an activity called Line of Inequity, in which the students had to form a straight line shoulder to shoulder, taking a step forward or backwards whenever the question that was being asked applied to them. Our goal (M.A) was to get the Upward Bound students to think about power, class, education, socioeconomic status and understand what it means to be privileged.

The students gave us their undivided attention, they were very respectful to themselves and others, and they participated in the activities and voluntarily shared their thoughts and opinions about the activities and their personal experiences. The feedback that we received was remarkable. The instructor Frank stated in a thank you card, "It was very powerful!!" referring to the workshop. The workshop would not have gone as planned if I didn't have my co-facilitators assisting me. Thank you Multicultural Ambassadors and Upward Bound students for your participation and an amazing time. Thank you again Dr. Lora for the opportunity.

~ Multicultural Ambassador, Terra T.

Leading our activity (Multicultural Ambassadors Sean G. & Terra T.)

Activity groups

Leading a group (Multicultural Ambassadors Sean M. & Sara B.)

Giving instructions (Multicultural Ambassadors Chelsea G. & Jericha H.) 

Asking questions (Multicultural Ambassadors Prateek M. & Tiana B.)

We hope that you will stop by the office (TSC # 21). Also, look for us on social media. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TarletonDiversityInclusion and read along with our journeys here on the blog:  http://tarletondiversityinclusion.blogspot.com/ 

You can also see our images on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarletondiversity/ 

Or follow us on Twitter: @DiversityTSU or email us directly at Diversity@Tarleton.edu