diversity

Mapping identity

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 04:39:51 +0000

Mapping identity Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 10/28/2023 - 22:39

By Joe Arney

For most people, winning a citywide essay contest as a teenager would just be a great way to get an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s most celebrated historical sites, like Washington, D.C.

For Nandi Pointer, there was a bigger prize.

“That was the first time I realized that my mind could take me places—my mind and my effort, and my trying,” she said. “And it helped give me this lust for seeing the world, and its cultures and people.”

Now in her third year in the media studies PhD program, Pointer’s curiosity about other people and their stories has led to impactful research into identity formation for Black men who’ve left the United States.

How she came to do so at CMCI is a story about Pointer finding her own identity—as a scholar, a documentary filmmaker and a niece to the Pointer Sisters, the influential R&B/soul group.

“Having famous aunts imbued me with this idea that anything was possible, that there’s no limitation to what you can do,” Pointer said.

But there was “sort of a dichotomy, as well,” she said. Her parents were both successful college professors, and her father’s side of the family included the Pointer Sisters, pro baseball player Aaron Pointer and NBA champion Paul Silas. But both sides of her family struggled with societal ills like violence and addiction.

That fueled her belief in the power of education—and also her curiosity about the violence Black men face in the United States and how that affects the formation of their identities. Pointer, who has worked and taught in South Korea, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, was abroad when George Floyd’s murder in 2020 catalyzed nationwide protests about the police and violence against African Americans.

“As a Black American woman, I was shocked,” she said. “But being in Saudi Arabia, there was this distance, so I was able to process those events in a different way. And it made me wonder about the other Black expats I was around, as well as the Black Americans experiencing these violent mediated events in the present moment in their own cities.”

“I’m hoping to change the perception around Black men by seeing them as teachers, understanding their lives, and ultimately learning about how their experiences as Black men in America led them to seek opportunities overseas.
—Nandi Pointer

Exploring media and violence

Pointer said she’s always been “fascinated by the media and its power to influence how we see ourselves in the world.” She held production roles at MTV’s news and documentaries division and produced content for Netflix, where she worked on the award-winning documentary “The Black Godfather.”

So, it’s no surprise her research interests also have roots in how the media demonstrates violence against Black men, from Rodney King and Oscar Grant to Ahmaud Arbery and Floyd. That has powered her other major interest, exploring the perspectives of Black students who’ve witnessed these murders through the media.

CMCI was a strong fit, she said, because the college gave her access to an advisor like Sandra Ristovska, assistant professor of media studies and a fellow documentary filmmaker.

“Sandra is the primary reason I came to CU,” Pointer said. “She got a grant from Mellon/ACLS”—the American Council of Learned Societies—“working on visual justice, media and human rights, which was really interesting to me.”

They’ve been close collaborators throughout Pointer’s PhD journey. Ristovska, Pointer said, has supported and challenged her as a scholar, giving her opportunities to showcase her own research insights.

“Nandi approaches the people she interviews with care and compassion, so they really open up to her, trusting her to tell their stories,” said Ristovska, an expert in how images shape the pursuit of justice and human rights. “She has a remarkable ability to analyze a pressing social issue from a unique perspective.”

Inspired, supportive CMCI faculty

At Ristovska’s suggestion, Pointer applied to the International Association for Media and Communication Research, in Lyon, France, where she presented in both the visual culture and newly created FLOW34 divisions; the latter showcases multimodal scholarships. She presented a short work in progress featuring the Black expats who will be a part of her future documentary film.

She’s also worked with Ristovska on a career diversity series for publicly engaged doctoral students at CMCI, insights from which were shared in a reflection piece and in a panel discussion at this year’s National Humanities Conference, in Indianapolis.

“I have been so impressed with how inspiring and supportive the CMCI faculty are,” Pointer said. “They really work with you to make sure you’re both guided and challenged along each step of the way.”

It’s the kind of impact she hopes to have one day as a professor. Her goal after completing her PhD is to join the faculty of a top research university that allows her to pursue her three loves of teaching, scholarship and filmmaking.

It’s a role she’ll excel in, Ristovska said.

“Nandi is driven by a strong commitment to social justice, and I really can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next,” she said.

A PhD student and documentary filmmaker is trying to understand how leaving the country influences how Black American men form their identities.

Off

Zebra Striped

White

Making Connections

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 02:16:19 +0000

Making Connections Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/28/2021 - 20:16

By Tayler Shaw (Jour, Span’21)

Standing beneath the album-decorated ceiling in the recording studio of Radio 1190, excitement and nerves arise as high school junior Kendall Stark leans closer to the microphone. With the click of a button by CMCI Instructor and Radio 1190 General Manager Jared Browsh, Stark is suddenly live on air.

“You’re listening to Radio 1190,” she says.

After Browsh clicks off the live microphone, the room erupts with cheers and applause. “Tens of thousands of people just heard that,” he tells Stark, who aspires to become a play-by-play sports broadcaster.

The trip to Radio 1190 was one of many highlights for those attending the Connections: CMCI Summer Academy, a week-long summer camp that gives high school students a preview of college life and introduces them to current students, staff and faculty.

Sponsored by CMCI’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), the academy was created to support and host historically underserved sophomore and junior high school students—especially those who may not know if college is the right fit for them.

“Even though we hope that you might come to the ��«��Ƶ and maybe even join us in CMCI, what we really hope for is that your eyes are opened to the possibilities of being a college student,” CMCI Founding Dean Lori Bergen told participants during the virtual welcome ceremony. “We’d be happy if this experience plays a role in your decision to attend any college anywhere.”

After being delayed by the pandemic in 2020, the academy launched this year, led by Founding Director and Senior Instructor Sara Jamieson, Inclusive Excellence and Outreach Coordinator Dave Martinez and CMCI Peer Mentors Nic Tamayo, Kelsie Kerr and Jaeda Rodriguez.

This year’s cohort included eight rising high school sophomores and juniors, primarily from Colorado high schools, including ��«��Ƶ High School, Empower Community High School and West High School.

For the first four days of the academy, the students participated in a series of virtual classes on podcasting, street photography, visual culture and affective map making—all taught by CMCI faculty.

Founding Director of Connections: CMCI Summer Academy and Senior Instructor Sara Jamieson poses with Inclusive Excellence and Outreach Coordinator Dave Martinez.

Belleville High School junior Kendall Stark prepares to speak live on Radio 1190 with the help of CMCI Instructor and Radio 1190 General Manager Jared Browsh.

Connections participants exchange goodbye hugs as the program comes to a close.

For Anika Garr, a junior at Empower Community High School, one of the best sessions was on her passion, photography. Overall, Garr says, the academy was a fun and exciting experience that allowed her to make friends and explore her college options.

“I really want to get into fashion and then photography as well,” she says.

While the sessions were virtual, they remained interactive and project-based, with students taking breaks to practice their skills, such as making their own podcasts and sharing their street photography online.

“They tried to get you as involved as possible,” Stark says. “There was always something we were doing—like it wasn’t a lot of lecturing. It was kind of a hands-on experience.”

For their fifth and final day at the academy, students gathered on CU ��«��Ƶ’s campus to tour facilities including Radio 1190 and the university’s CASE building, where CMCI students can access podcasting booths and a student workspace and newsroom. Students also visited Folsom Field, met with Executive Director of Pre-College Outreach and Engagement Christopher Pacheco and ate lunch in the center of campus at the University Memorial Center.

For the peer mentors, it was gratifying to see the students connect with one another and with the college.

“I hope that they realize how accessible college actually should be for everybody and just realize how not-scary professors are,” says Jaeda Rodriguez, a CMCI sophomore studying journalism.

Fellow journalism sophomore Nic Tamayo agrees, adding, “I also hope they take away the bragging rights, like ‘I took a week of classes with college professors.’ I think that’s really cool for them to have that experience and be a little more prepared when they’re doing their applications. They have connections here already.”

As the final day came to a close, the newfound friends hugged and shared bittersweet goodbyes, promising to keep in contact. It was a meaningful experience not only for the students, but also for the CMCI DEI team who saw the academy finally come to fruition.

“We are honored to have you as part of our team and we want to stay in touch,” Martinez told the students during the closing ceremony. “You’ve already started the connection, and that’s what we’re all about.”

Learn more about the academy or email questions.

The extent to which CMCI can implement additional programming to support a diverse, inclusive and equitable community will also depend on private donations.

Please consider making a gift toward these efforts.

CMCI recently celebrated the first cohort of students to complete Connections: CMCI Summer Academy, a week-long summer experience that gives high school students a preview of college life and introduces them to current students, staff and faculty.

Off

Zebra Striped

White

Early Exposure to Navigating College

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 19:46:09 +0000

Early Exposure to Navigating College Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/14/2019 - 12:46

Trinity Padilla planned a career in the media, but in her hometown of Parachute, Colorado—with a population under 1,200 and a 2018 graduating class of about 50—she didn’t have many role models.

Soon, that would change. After being accepted to the College of Media, Communication and Information, she received an invitation to the college’s Pathways to Excellence Summer Intensive, an immersive bridge program that is especially well suited for historically underserved incoming first-year students interested in getting a jump-start on the semester.

“I went in terrified because I didn’t know what this major would be,” says Padilla of the experience, where she developed new skills and met students who share similar interests. “I learned all these different career paths that you could go on, and it made me a lot more confident going in because I had a plan.”

During the one-week program, students get to know the ��«��Ƶ campus and city, tour local newsrooms and agencies, meet alumni, and work side-by-side with faculty and peers to produce creative projects.

“One of the most important components that determines if someone stays in college and does well is community,” says Ruth Hickerson, director of Pathways. “Students who have completed the program start classes in the fall with a group of friends, real relationships with faculty members and quality student mentors who understand the challenges of college and have already had to navigate some of those challenges.”

Padilla, now a sophomore majoring in critical media practices, continued her involvement with Pathways, returning as a resident advisor to guide 18 new students through the summer program.

One of those students, Ryan Schmidt from Colorado Springs, says he was extremely nervous thinking about starting college. That changed after going through Pathways.

“I’m confident, I’m ready, I know what to do. I met my advisor, I met my college professors, I have friends here now,” says the communication major who entered this fall. “And I know what it’s like living in a dorm. I feel a lot more ahead than I was before.”

“We are building on the success of Pathways to create a whole suite of resources that enhance the full student experience for everyone,” says Karen Ashcraft, associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion for CMCI. “In summer 2020, for instance, we are launching a summer academy for high school students that extends CMCI’s reach to Colorado communities.”

The extent to which CMCI can implement additional programming to support a diverse, inclusive and equitable community will also depend on private donations.

Please consider making a gift toward these efforts.

As part of the Pathways to Excellence Summer Intensive program, students get to know the ��«��Ƶ campus and city, tour local newsrooms and agencies, meet alumni, and work side-by-side with faculty and peers to produce creative projects.

Off

Traditional

White

CMCI’s new associate dean to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:06:25 +0000

CMCI’s new associate dean to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/13/2018 - 16:06

By Angie Chuang
Photo by Glenn Asakawa (Jour'86)

For the past 25 years, Communication Professor Karen Ashcraft has researched the dynamics of race and gender in organizations ranging from women’s shelters to commercial airlines.

Starting this academic year, Ashcraft is applying her knowledge, and her past university administrative experience, to an organization much closer to home: She is the College of Media, Communication and Information’s first-ever associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion.

According to CMCI Dean Lori Bergen, the new position “is important to help meet our strategic goals,” and Ashcraft was selected for her “strong research record and past experience in administrative roles cultivating inclusive environments for students, faculty and staff.”

Ashcraft says she’s committed to both taking the pulse of the college from the perspectives of faculty, staff and students, and immediately putting initiatives into place that will begin to address the systemic issues of race, gender, sexuality and identity that affect climate and the health of the community.

“I’ll be the ear to the ground,” she says.

After earning her doctorate in organizational communication, Ashcraft (PhDComm’98), was hired by the University of Utah’s Department of Communication. There, she earned tenure and was appointed to Director of Graduate Studies for Communication—a role she remained in for four years.

She returned to CU ��«��Ƶ in 2009 as a full professor, and directed CMCI’s Communication and Society Residential Academic Program from 2012 to 2016. She was surprised, she says, when Dean Bergen approached her about the new associate dean position.

In fact, she hesitated at first.

“Is this a moment for a white woman to be doing this?” she says she asked herself. Ultimately, Ashcraft agreed to take the position with the understanding that she would help get it launched in CMCI for a couple years.

“Upon reflection, given that diversity is my area of passion and research, I couldn’t imagine something I’d rather do than get [the associate deanship] off the ground and, when the opportunity presents itself, hand it off,” says Ashcraft, who sees her role as both external and internal to CMCI.

Externally, she’d like to take an active role in the college’s strategic plan, draw more donors to programs that benefit diversity, and “create some initiatives that have a big impact.”

Internally, Ashcraft plans to “focus on equity issues,” both in the workplace and classroom dynamics of CMCI, as well as to help spur diverse hiring, particularly in senior positions where, she noted, racial and gender diversity are most needed.

A new $15,000 gift established by the parents of a current student will allow her to implement new inclusion programming throughout the college.

“If I were going to build on my experience with administration, I wanted it to be in this area,” she says. “Issues of diversity are where I want to inform people and get them motivated.”

Communication Professor Karen Ashcraft is applying her research expertise on the dynamics of race and gender as CMCI's new associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Off

Traditional

White