CASA faculty among honorees for Helen Stevens Outstanding International Educator Award

Tamara McKinnon, a nursing professor, and Linda Levine, a health science and recreation professor, in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, will be honored with the Helen Stevens Outstanding International Educator Award on Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Library, Room 225/227. Yasue Yanai, a World Languages and Literatures professor, will also be recognized at the event.

Dr. Tamara McKinnon, far right, and students Mina Paz Arzadon and Claudine Luzano appeared on  "Good Morning Grenada," one of 5 media appearances by the group during their program.

Dr. Tamara McKinnon, far right, and students Mina Paz Arzadon and Claudine Luzano appeared on
“Good Morning Grenada,” one of 5 media appearances by the group during their program.

McKinnon led a pilot international program in Grenada this summer which included 23 nursing and occupational therapy students from SJSU who completed a global service-learning course on the Caribbean island. During their visit, students met with the Ministry of Health, hospitals and clinics and also had an opportunity to visit clinical sites throughout the island. The students participated in a health fair in a rural part of the island, conducting home visits to train family members and local students, and conducted television and radio interviews. The students all kept a reflective journal during their trip with photos and narrative.

The core principles of the program included compassion, curiosity, courage, collaboration, creativity, capacity building and competence, according to McKinnon.

Levine spent part of her summer in Paris, teaching 14 students about the history and diversity of France. During their trip, which provided credit in two GE areas, students learned about various cultures that included different religious backgrounds, occupational backgrounds and other aspects of identity. During the trip students had the opportunity to visit the Chateau de Marseilles, Musee D’Orsay and to take a Thai/French cooking class, among other activities. Levine encouraged students to consider study abroad programs with a blog post (http://blogs.sjsu.edu/casa/2014/08/20/enterprising-students-find-unique-ways-to-fund-study-abroad/)sharing some of the creative ways her former students raised money for their trips, from making macarons to sending donation request letters to family and friends.

SJSU students enrolled in the faculty-led program "Paris: City of Culture," took a bike tour around Paris.

Linda Levine, center in a blue top, taught “Paris: City of Culture.”

Diversity in News & in Practice in Higher Education

by Bob Rucker

The U.S. Capitol in Washington is filled with more than 180 statues of giants of American history. Today, on what would have been her 100th birthday, Rosa Parks becomes  the first woman to receive this honor. See the CBS This Morning story at: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141837n

Another timely diversity issue in America Chicago Tribune: “Religion a block for gays in pro football”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-miller-religion-gays-locker-room-20130226,0,2832792.story

Helping educate SJSU students about how to understand complicated diversity issues remains an important challenge and duty for all who
educate and inform the campus community.

Find more of Professor Rucker at http://www.profbob.com

Here is a quick read on SJSU Diversity Policies. and some SJSU campus factiods.

MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center at SJSU provide some excellent resources for students.

15th Annual Sexual Diversity Events Announced: “Embracing Sexual Diversity: Continuing Activism and Advocacy for Change.”

by Edward Mamary

Dear CASA Students, Faculty, and Staff:

I am pleased to announce our 15th Annual Sexual Diversity events!  Our students have chosen this year’s theme, “Embracing Sexual Diversity: Continuing Activism and Advocacy for Change.”  We have a series of exciting events planned to commemorate 15 years of celebrating sexual diversity.  The main event will be held on Monday, March 11th, 2013 from 5:30 to 8 pm in the Barrett Ballroom in the SJSU Student Union.  

Our featured speaker is Charlene Strong, a nationally respected advocate for social justice and civil rights issues including marriage equality and non-discrimination policies. She is a widely published writer and sought after speaker, presenting to universities, companies, public forums, nonprofits and government agencies across the country including the CIA, the Washington State legislature, and the World Affairs Council. Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire appointed Ms. Strong to the prestigious Washington State Human Rights Commission; she is currently serving a new five year term. Charlene Strong is the subject of the award-winning documentary, “For My Wife…” which tells the story of how she became an advocate for equality following the loss of her wife, Kate Fleming a flash flood in Seattle in 2006.  Please preview the trailer!    Faculty, please encourage your students to attend this main event for extra credit.

No need to RSVP for the main event, but you must RSVP for the LGBT Luncheon with Charlene Strong.

March 11th 12: 30 to 2 pm. LGBT Lunch– for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender identified students, alumni, faculty, and staff.  Please reserve your space for the LGBT luncheon with Charlene Strong.  Space will be limited to the first 25 individuals who register!  Please send in the attached form along with your check and RSVP by March 1st at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8ZXLFKH

Click here for the Registration Form for the LGBT luncheon with Charlene Strong.

“For My Wife”: Trailer