Trainings, workshops and events are some of the resources offered by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Dream Resource Center for the UTRGV community.
The center celebrated its one-year anniversary and Rebecca Gadson, dean of students and associate vice president for Student Life, said she is proud of the work the staff has done.
“It’s not just excellent leadership from our program coordinator, Aaron Hinojosa, but our student graduate assistants,” Gadson said. “It’s also been a number of faculty and staff in our community who have stepped up to become allies, to become advocates, to be participants actively in the trainings, the workshops, promoting the work, or trying to be part of the process of delivery of information to our communities.”
The purpose of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion is to “support culturally based affinity groups, enhance programming that builds cultural competence and civil discourse, and provide direct support to students,” while the purpose of the DREAM Resource Center is to provide support services and resources for undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, according to the centers’ website.
Among the resources the centers offer are Dream Zone Advocate trainings, which help to provide information to learn more about the experiences of individuals who may be undocumented or are receiving their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals work permits; Ally Safe Zone trainings, which increase awareness and understanding of the identity development process for individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ and provide a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The center also offers Learn, Empower, Advance, Promote, or LEAP, workshops “designed to educate students on diversity and inclusion,” and meditation sessions.
Aaron Hinojosa is the program coordinator for the center and his duties include advocating for all students, providing supplemental learning experiences and starting conversations about identity.
Hinojosa said it has been a great first year.
“It’s been incredible,” he said. “It’s been a great first year that the center has been open just because we’ve done a lot of real good things. … I have been very pleased and excited that people want to have conversations about diversity and inclusion and then them sharing what it looks like in their everyday life.”
There are more than 200 Dream Zone Advocates, according to Hinojosa.
Gadson said there is a “hunger” for more trainings and for deeper conversations.
“I think people have really wanted that opportunity to grow and to discuss and to learn from each other,” she said. “Those [trainings] have been transformative for individuals and [attendees.]”
Gadson said feedback helps advance the center’s offerings and remain relevant to the needs of the population.
Luis Macias, a graduate assistant for the center, has seen an increase in students that have used the resources since he started working in May 2019.
“If a student feels like they’re not succeeding in their classes, and maybe it’s because they feel harassed or they don’t feel safe on campus, then … we try to fulfill that need by showing them a sense of community on campus and just … showing them that they’re safe and there’s people out there that care about them,” Macias said.
Gadson advised students to visit the center, which is located in Student Union 1.20 on the Brownsville campus and University Center 306A on the Edinburg campus.
“As people explore their identity or [ask] questions, it’s important that there’s a safe environment where people can get that information and feel comfortable asking the questions,” she said. “It’s important that individuals feel certain in the information that’s provided.”
Asked what advice he would give to students wanting to use resources, Macias replied that they should visit the center.
“I think it’s better to start with contact in person,” Macias said. “That way, you can see the room, you can see the amenities and you can feel that warmth coming from the center.”
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