Empowering Student Voices

ReSearch for Equity Symposia provide a space for researchers (faculty, community, students) focusing on any equity or inclusion topics to come together and share projects, ideas and provide input and ideas for one another. All are welcome!

Research for Equity Symposium

• Wednesday, 10/30/24, 5-6:30pm in Catskill 204 or on Zoom
  Flyer >

Now in its 30th year, the Counseling Psychology annual Diversity Conference has explored intersectionality and advocacy, marginalized communities, creating a climate of inclusion, culturally conscious research and practice, building bridges, privilege, barrier awareness, social justice and multiculturalism, and invisible identities, among others. This free, student-run conference is open to all students, faculty, and community members to attend all or part of the day.

The 30th annual Diversity Conference on March 8, 2024, featured local activists promoting equitable access to critical resources for people from marginalized communities, including speakers from BirthNet, Free Food Fridge Albany, and more.  Flyer >

An Improvement Journey
Sara Oliveira, CDIT

My Goal To Be An Equitable Teacher
Matthew Maldonado, Human Development 2024

Fortunately for me, the decision to pursue a degree that would help me become an educator was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Growing up, I have always enjoyed learning and interacting with others in a classroom environment. As a result, I became determined to get good grades so that I could become whatever I wanted to be when I grow older. Throughout my journey to date, I have learned a lot about the positive and negative aspects of our world and humanity. Unfortunately, the negative aspects have had the most impact.
 
In elementary school, I was first introduced to the topic of slavery. Intrigued, yet mostly horrified by the fact that human beings could treat others worse than animals, I decided to do my own research. Over the course of time, I learned about the injustices committed against people of color and other minorities in the United States and across the globe. In our country, many of the victims of these injustices include African Americans, Hispanics, and American Asians. In the past few years, with an increase in political diversity and the pandemic, racism and social injustice has moved to the forefront of social issues confronting us today.  
 
These injustices are apparent today in the education world. Because many people of color live in low-income communities, they do not have enough access to good schools, teachers, and learning materials. The people of color who happen to live in neighborhoods that do have access to those resources are often excluded and/or neglected and therefore, do not benefit like the others do. Also, the pandemic has forced many students to attend school remotely. Many of these children do not have access to consistent wi-fi to facilitate their online learning. In addition, the meals provided at school are often the only form of nourishment available to them.
 
Growing up in a diverse community in New York has exposed me to people from many different backgrounds and lifestyles. I believe this has helped me to become the person I am today. Over the past several years, I have enjoyed working with children from my community in my volunteer and job experiences. The connections I have made with so many children has contributed to my decision to pursue a teaching career. My educational path will help to provide me with the knowledge and the tools needed to create positive change within the classroom. The goal is to be inclusive and show equity to all my future students regardless of gender, race, or cultural background. 

Let us hear your voice! Submit your narrative for Catskill Voices, the School of Education's student blog.