Alumni Newsletter | Fall 2009
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Dear Alumni,
The start of the 2009 Autumn Quarter has been extremely exciting for the campus, as well as for our office as we welcomed 1,480 undergraduate students of color, and 1,966 graduate and professional students of color. OMSA coordinated a variety of events for graduate and professional students on October 18, including an information session, Open House and reception. We also welcomed first- year undergraduates and their families with a reception at 5710, where students and parents had the opportunity to network with one another and University administrators.
Our office dedicated much of the summer to planning and strategizing for the 2009–2010 academic year, and started off the year with our Welcome (Back) Celebration featuring the dedication of the Timuel Black Edible Arts Garden, a collaboration with the University’s Civic Knowledge Project. The event was an incredible success drawing students, faculty, staff, and community members to listen to the words of Timuel Black, AM’54, enjoy food harvested from the garden, and partake in fellowship.
We have had a great start to the year and look forward to the rest of the academic year as we work towards our goals of increasing OMSA’s support of cultural student organizations, keeping all of our constituents informed about OMSA’s student resources and impact, as well as collaborating with our colleagues and students on innovative programming and partnerships.
Sincerely,
Ana
Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean of Students in the University and Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
NEW INITIATIVES
Student Features
OMSA’s Alumni Newsletter will now host a Student Features section where students and student organizations will have the opportunity to submit information about their initiatives and upcoming programs, and nominate peers to be profiled in each edition.
This edition features Emy Cardoza, a third-year student in the Divinity School working toward a master’s of divinity (MDiv). A graduate intern at OMSA, Emy works with the Chicago Multicultural Connection Program, a career-focused mentoring program.
This summer Emy participated in the University Community Service Center’s Summer Links Internship Program, an intensive 11-week, paid internship for College and graduate students committed to public service, community building, and social change. Emy interned with the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago nonprofit organization that focuses on building mutual respect and pluralism among people from different religious traditions by empowering them to work together to serve others.
Welcome Back Celebration and the Dedication of the Timuel D. Black Garden
This fall, as part of its annual Welcome Back Celebration, OMSA partnered with the Civic Knowledge Project to dedicate the new edible garden to Timuel D. Black, AM’54, a South Sider and author of the book, Bridges of Memory: Chicago’s First Wave of Great Migration.
The garden—planted this past spring as a partnership with the Civic Knowledge Project, a community connections branch of the Division of the Humanities—is an effort to promote and support sustainable living on campus. Flourishing over the summer, it yielded a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes, blueberries, apples, lavender, sage, and basil.
The Welcome Back Celebration featured remarks by OMSA director Ana Vázquez, Civic Knowledge Project director Bart Schultz, Director of the Civic Knowledge Project, and oral historian and community activist Timuel D. Black. Guests enjoyed organic dishes from local markets—and had the opportunity to learn about several cultural student organizations.
OMSA Allocations Board
With the start of the academic year, OMSA welcomes a new cohort of students as the OMSA Allocations Board. The purpose of the board is to help fund programming efforts by the University's cultural recognized student organizations (RSOs) that are consistent with the mission of OMSA. Proposals submitted for OMSA funding are reviewed by the board, with fund-allocation decisions made through a peer-led and -reviewed process. Directed by OMSA Assistant Director Rosa Yadira, The 2009–2010 Board consists of eight students actively involved in cultural RSOs:
|
Name |
RSO |
|
Imbuka Mangale |
African & Caribbean Student Association | ACSA |
|
Stephanie Rivera |
Puerto Rican Student Association | PRSA |
|
Alan Sit |
PanAsia |
|
Melanie Morales |
Organization of Latin American Students | OLAS |
|
Imah Effiong |
Organization of Black Students | OBS |
|
Cheryl Sim |
SAMSU Singaporean Society |
|
Fei Zheng |
Asian Student Union | ASU |
|
Jessica Ng |
Chinese Undergraduate Student Association | CUSA |
OMSA Advisory Board
OMSA is excited to introduce its 2009–2010 Student Advisory Board. Charged with informing the director of OMSA and the University administration on the needs of students of color, the problems and issues facing students of color and to advise OMSA on programming areas, the board meets with the director of OMSA once every two weeks.
|
Brooke Sylvester |
Brooke Sylvester is a 5th-year PhD student in the Committee on Cancer Biology and co-founder of the U of C chapter of Women in Cancer Research. Brooke is originally from Rockford, IL. |
|
Yennie Lee |
Yennie Lee is a fourth-year in the College, majoring in sociology. She is an active member of the Chicago Weekly, and past member of PanAsia and Student Government. She is originally from Berkeley, California. |
|
Nicholas Johnson |
Nick Johnson is a fourth-year in the College with a double major in history and religious studies. An active member of the Organization of Black Students and Soul Umoja, he is from Newark, NJ. |
|
Eze Okeagu |
Eze Okeagu is fourth-year, majoring in Biological Science From Fayetteville, North Carolina, he is vice president of SNMA–MAPS (minority premedical organization), and a Chicago Careers In Health Professions (CCiHP) fellow. |
|
Mayra Lopez |
Mayra Lopez is a fourth-year in the College and active in groups including the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), and Movimiento Estuduantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA). |
|
Jackie Carrillo |
Jackie Carrillo is a fourth-year anthropology major and an active member of three student groups. She is a native of Chicago with family roots in Mexico. |
|
Jessica Wong |
Jessica Wong is a second-year psychology PhD student, focusing on the cognitive neuroscience of memory and aging. She is involved in the InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship and competes in triathlons in her spare time. She is originally from Warren, NJ. |
|
Tiffany Taylor |
Tiffany Taylor is a second-year economics major. She is from Dalton, Georgia, and West Point, Mississippi. Among other activities, she is the founder of the University of Chicago’s Real Estate Club and is active in the Spanish Club. |
|
Jaira Harrington |
Jaira J. Harrington is a 2nd-year PhD student in political science. Her major subfield is Comparative Politics with a regional focus in Brazil. She is a Chicago native and graduate of Spelman College. |
|
Enal Hindi |
Enal Hindi is a fourth-year in the College, majoring in biology and specializing in neuroscience. She is vice president of MSA (Muslim Student Association). Born in Palestine, she was raised in Chicago. |
|
Abi Oladokun |
Abimbola Oladokun is a fourth-year majoring in political science with a focus in gender studies and race. Originally from Casa Grande, Arizona, Oladokun plans to attend law school after graduation. |
|
Tsion Gurmu |
Tsion Gurmu is a fourth-year, double majoring in political science and history, with a specialization in race and human rights. Tsion is originally from Ethiopia, but her family currently resides in Shawnee, Kansas. |
|
Chary Caraballo |
Chary Caraballo, a second-year clinical student at the School of Social Service Administration, where she is chair of the Latino Student Association. She was born and raised in Trenton, NJ, but her parents are from Puerto Rico. She is interested in working with victims of domestic violence and delinquent juveniles. |
OMSA’s Mentoring Program seeks mentors for the 2009–2010 year!
The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC), OMSA’s career-focused mentoring program, kicked off the new year with a reception on October 12th, but we are still seeking alumni mentors to participate. CMC matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff, or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops and social and cultural events throughout the year.
The time commitment is minimal but the rewards are immeasurable. If you would be willing to make a difference in the life of a University of Chicago student by serving as a mentor, please contact Robin Graham via email at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/ for more information.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
MLK Celebration
The University of Chicago has hosted an annual MLK Commemoration Service for close to 20 years. For the past five years, the service has been part of a longer week of events that reflect the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2009, MLK Week coincided with the inauguration of the first African American President, Barack Obama—a University of Chicago Law School senior lecturer. Those two events combined in an exceptional celebration here on campus and around the nation.
As we proceed to plan the MLK Commemoration Service for 2010, there is an opportunity to reflect on the past celebrations, enhance the programming, and make sure the largest numbers of people are able to take part. Based on feedback from numerous stakeholders, the MLK Celebration for 2010 will take place over three days. It will begin on Dr. King’s birthday, Friday, January 15, 2010, before many members of the campus community disperse for the long weekend.
We are very excited to follow Dr. King’s example by coming together to ensure that his message of service and of solidarity is spread throughout the entire University community.
Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarship 2010
As part of an effort to promote a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences among its faculty, the University of Chicago invites nominations and applications for the Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarship (PCEPS). The Office of the Provost will award up to five two-year postdoctoral scholarships to promising junior scholars. The University seeks two scholars for the cohort beginning in September 2010. These two scholars will join the returning scholars of the inaugural class whose scholarships began September 2009.
Scholars in all fields are eligible. Candidates must have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree (PhD, MD, JD, or foreign equivalent) before the scholarship start date. In addition, eligible scholars must be within three years of having completed their degree. Thus, candidates for the 2010 Scholarship will have completed their degree no earlier than November 1, 2006, but no later than September 1, 2010. Individuals currently holding a postdoctoral or faculty position at the University of Chicago are not eligible.
Successful candidates will be selected on the basis of academic achievement; scholarly promise; a demonstrable commitment to the ideals set forth in the University of Chicago Diversity Statement; and the likelihood that the individual may become a qualified and competitive candidate for a faculty position at the University of Chicago upon the completion of the Scholarship. Each cohort of PCEPS holders will include at least one scholar whose research furthers the mission of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture.
In addition to pursuing their research, Scholars will teach one quarter-long course in their field for each year in which they hold a postdoctoral scholarship.
To apply for a scholarship please complete an Application Form and attach the following required documents in PDF format: Cover Letter; Curriculum Vitae; Research Statement; Teaching Statement. The application also requires 3 letters of reference for each candidate. References must submit letters via the recommendation form on the PCEPS website. To ensure full consideration, please submit all required documents no later than November 1, 2009.
New Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies Major/Minor
Through the Comparative Race Studies Program (CRPC), the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture (CSRPC) provides students interested in the study of race and racialized ethnic groups with the opportunity to take courses and participate in programs that illustrate how race and ethnicity and their structural manifestations impact and shape our lives on a daily basis. CSRPC is an interdisciplinary research institution dedicated to promoting engaged scholarship and debate around the topics of race and ethnicity. The focus of Comparative Race Studies is to expand the study of race and racialized ethnic groups beyond the black/white paradigm and to promote the study of race and processes of racialization in comparative and transnational frameworks.
Beginning in Autumn 2009, students have the opportunity to major or minor in a new undergraduate degree program in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies, which includes African American Studies, Asian American studies, Latina/o studies, Native American studies, and African studies. Courses currently listed under CRPC will be transferred over to the new major and renamed CRES. A description of the major and minor, the requirements, and a list of courses offered can be downloaded at http://csrpc.uchicago.edu/CRES description.doc
ALUMNI FEATURES
In this issue, we are happy to highlight two University of Chicago alumni who are doing great work in their fields and in the community.
Tasneem K. Goodman, AB’97, JD’02, is a partner and director of marketing at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Goodman oversees all aspects of the firm’s marketing, business development, client relations, public relations, and internal and external communications initiatives. Ms. Goodman has spoken frequently on legal marketing and business development topics and has served as a source of commentary on these subjects to the media. Her legal marketing and business development work has won several awards, and she has quickly become recognized as a leader in her field. Before joining the firm, Goodman practiced law in the corporate department of Latham & Watkins LLP, where she represented publicly traded and privately held companies in mergers, acquisitions and securities offerings, and in the restructuring group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she represented corporate debtors in bankruptcy planning, negotiation, and litigation.
Goodman is secretary of the Board of Directors of Latinos Progresando, a nonprofit organization that that serves immigrant families through legal services, community arts projects, and youth leadership development. She also serves as an advisor for Burhani Junior Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit program that provides entrepreneurship education for high school students, and is on the Board of Directors of the Legal Marketing Association’s Midwest chapter.
Maureen Loughnane-Colligan, AB’93, works for the University’s Alumni Relations and Development office, where she is the primary fund-raiser for OMSA and the University’s diversity initiatives. Loughnane-Colligan has long been an advocate for greater diversity on campus, and is proud to be working on the creation of the first alumni Shared Interest Groups, including the U of C Association of Black Alumni, the LGBT Alumni, and the Latina/o Alumni Clubs. She is always eager to meet alumni who would like to re-engage with the University, and is looking for alumni who would like to become involved with these new alumni groups. If you would like more information, please contact her directly at 773.702.2176 or by e-mail: maureenl@uchicago.edu.
OMSA CALENDAR/PROGRAMMING BLOG
http://omsa.uchicago.edu/events
http://omsa-uchicago.blogspot.com
Upcoming Events
4th Annual Diversity Internship Fair
OMSA and Career Advising & Planning Services (CAPS) are joining together to sponsor our 4th Annual Diversity Internship Fair on Thursday, October 29, 12 p.m–2 p.m. at 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue. Organizations with internship, volunteer or employment opportunities are welcome to participate. More than 75 students attended this event last year. For more information or to register your organization, please contact Robin Graham via e-mail at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or by phone at 773.834.6826.
Diversity in the Workplace 2009: Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Leadership
OMSA, Career Advising & Planning Services (CAPS) and University Alumni Relations, along with several other university organizations are sponsoring Diversity in the Workplace 2009: Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Leadership on Thursday, November 5, 5:30 p.m–8:30 p.m. at the Quad Club. This annual diversity and career networking conference provides students with the opportunity to network with University of Chicago alumni who have entered rewarding careers in fields including law, business, academia, medicine, public service, and communications. The program consists of dinner, a keynote address, and a dessert reception, all of which provide a forum for alumni to share on topics related to the experiences and challenges of being a professional in today’s workforce. Representatives from a variety of communities, including alumni of color, LGBTQ alumni, and alumni with disabilities will be present.
If you would like to participate in this event, please contact Robin Graham via e-mail at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or by phone at 773.834.6826.
The OMSA Alumni Newsletter is a joint project of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the University of Chicago Alumni Association. Please send your comments and suggestions to omsa@uchicago.edu.
