The college started “Real World Geneseo” eight years ago as its first high-impact learning experience and the program has been going strong ever since.
Offered every spring semester primarily for sophomores and juniors, the two-credit course builds a strong foundation for cultural competency within and beyond the Geneseo community. In January, 27 students participated in the four-day program in downtown Rochester with nine facilitators, including alumnus Erik West ’16, who participated in the program’s fifth year.
Among the 27 participants, 40 percent identified as LGBTQ, 75 percent identified as students of color, 15 percent identified as international and 45 percent identified as Islamic, agnostic, spiritual or Jewish.
“This program leaves a lasting impact on the students,” said Fatima Rodriguez Johnson, who coordinates the program with Susan Norman, director of the college's Xerox Center for Multicultural Teacher Education. “Students engage in intentional dialogue about social systems of power and privilege, explore their world view, and gain knowledge and skills to help become advocates for inclusivity.”
Rodriguez Johnson says students explore issues related to social class, gender, ethnicity and race, sexual orientation, religious differences, age, and physical/mental ability. Exercises, presentations and discussions allow participants to examine how these issues affect both their academic and co-curricular lives on campus and beyond, and to explore their own values and beliefs.
Catherine Adams, associate professor of history, kicked off the retreat with Kimberle Crenshaw's work on intersectionality. Students explored a case study entitled "The Girl Who Wouldn't Sing," which examines the experience of a Chinese woman growing up in San Francisco as a lesbian and a feminist.
In addition, the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley presented on gender, gender identity and gender expression, creating space to understand the lives of agender, asexual, pansexual and transgender people. Students also put pen to paper with poet and spoken word artist, Reenah Golden creating a piece entitled, "I Believe."
The students will continue their diversity work in a weekly seminar led by Becky Glass, associate professor of sociology, and Wes Kennison, lecturer and fellow in international programs.
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Irwin@geneseo.edu