[Job Posting] TRIO UB College Access Advisor & Residential Coordinator

The TRIO Upward Bound program at the University of Minnesota is seeking a College Access Advisory & Residential Program Coordinator. See below for more details about the position and to apply.

The Student Services unit at the College of Education and Human Development is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for a College Access Advisor & Residential Coordinator to assist in the execution of our long-standing federal grant program -- TRIO Upward Bound (TRIO UB).

TRIO Upward Bound is a college preparatory program for low-income and educationally disadvantaged high school students. TRIO UB works with students, parents, schools and communities, on a long-term and intensive basis to help generate both individual and systemic change. Services are designed to help participants build the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education. TRIO UB currently serves 118 low-income and first-generation students from Minneapolis Public High Schools annually and continuously serving Minneapolis youth since 1966.

TRIO Upward Bound College Access Advisor & Residential Program Coordinator (Requisition #192485)

This position is responsible for academic advising and student caseload management to achieve student development in all facets including academic, personal, social, and cultural.  Includes program operation including developing, implementing and managing program initiatives, projects and events. Also includes serving as an instructor in post-secondary education, the Residential Coordinator, and the school and community liaison. This position contributes to the professional growth of students through programs, courses, and events. 

​To learn more about and/or apply to the TRIO UB College Access Advisor & Residential Coordinator position, click on the link above or go to employment.umn.edu and search Requisition #192485. 

--

Minerva S. Muñoz, M.P.P.

Director | TRIO UPWARD BOUND

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION + HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK 

C/P Warp and Weft: "What did you just call me?"

My besty's (Sara) cousin (Lydia) recently wrote an insightful post on her Warp and Weft blog, entitled "What did you just call me?" on identity and the critical importance of self-identification. Picking up on themes from our "Affirming Authenticity: Identity-Driven Leadership" series, Lydia stresses the need for each of us to create and define our own identities and to likewise respect and honor those of others. Read on for more after the jump!

June 21, 2014

What did you just call me?

Dedicated to my cousin Sara for tirelessly contesting my identities (in some
great ways) and supplying me with many terrible pictures of myself.

Me, my cousin Sara and some little cousins in Taiwan engaging in our favorite
past time (eating ice cream sandwiches). 

Over the years my answers to the question “What’s your ethnicity?” have varied a lot.
To give you a sense of the full range, I went from “My mom is Chinese and my dad is 
normal” to “My mom is Chinese and my dad is white” to  “My mom is from Taiwan. 
My dad is from Pennsylvania.” My answer still varies these days. I used to think that
all this variation in the way I explain my identity was a result of identity confusion on
my part. But I’ve come around to the idea that it is actually a pretty normal and
widespread phenomenon to have different ways of making your identity depending
on who you’re talking with, how you think they will understand the terms you are using
and what you want to emphasize about yourself.

A lot of anthropologists and some sociolinguistics have started saying that identity 
isn’t a thing that you just have. Instead an identity is something that you actually
create, for yourself or for someone else – and one of the ways you create those
identities is through language, by the terms you use. Take for example “My mom 
is from Taiwan. vs. My mom is Chinese.” In choosing one over the other I am
making a statement that Taiwan is distinct enough from China to merit a separate
designation and I am also claiming that I am the kind of person to whom this
distinction between Taiwan and China is important. But this claim on my part is
only meaningful because there is a history of contesting whether or not these are
two separate entities or whether one subsumes the other.

But really, there are no “neutral” or “matter of fact” terms to identify people. 
There are just more or less contested terms. This is what we are missing in 
conversations about “political correctness”. I came across an email this week
detailing Internal Guidelines for Policy writing in a U.S. based non-profit. The
line that stood out to me was found under the guidelines for using Hispanic vs.
Latino/a.

“Respect personal preferences whenever possible. For example,
Justice Sotamayor uses ‘Latina’ to describe herself, and we should
respect that”.

 It’s presented in the way politically correct language is usually presented. You 
should use this word because people want you to, or because other people 
use it. Without any explanation of why it really matters.

Here’s why it really matters. If the terms that we use for ourselves create identities 
for us, then the terms that we use for other people create identities for them. 
If we are creating identities for people that are in opposition to the identities 
they are creating for themselves we are engaging them in a battle for their identity. 
It isn’t always wrong to challenge someone on their identity – but you should know 
what you’re getting yourself into and evaluate whether or not you are the right 
person to do the challenging (who the right person is - that's another issue that 
is really contested). 

One last note. The meanings of these identity terms are not unchanging. Words 
get their meanings from their histories, so as history shifts the connotations
these words have also shifts. According to this article by Pew Research Center
(and this post by NPR’s Code Switch blog), the difference between “Latin@”
and “Hispanic” may be less salient now than it was previously. On the other hand,
the recent tensions between Taiwan and China over a Trade Pact agreement
(see here for details) is likely to make Taiwanese identity and the term
"Taiwanese" more contested and more salient to those on both sides of the issue.

I’m curious about you guys. What are the words you use to describe yourself? 
Are there some terms that you care more about and others that you are more 
ambivalent about? Who would you allow/not allow to challenge you on the 
terms you use to describe yourself?

Facing Race June 2014 - Funding Opportunities

See below for the Facing Race June 2014 e-newsletter, featuring new equity funding opportunities and a blog post from Minnesota Philanthropy Partners racial equity manager, Rowzat Shipchandler.

Connect with us June 2014 New Equity Funding Opportunities Available Minnesota Philanthropy Partners affiliates currently have multiple grant opportunities for culturally specific and equity-related projects and programs. Please visit the web page of each fund or project to learn more.  Asian Pacific Endowment is currently seeking proposals for projects and/or programs that use culture---broadly defined to include values, language, traditions, customs and other unique aspects of a community---to address social issues and give voice to the experiences of the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community within the state of Minnesota.    El Fondo de Nuestra Comunidad is currently seeking proposals for projects, initiatives, or programs which influence immigration policies affecting the Latino community in Minnesota. MSPWin is now seeking partnerships within the seven-county Minneapolis-Saint Paul region to systematically align job training with opportunities that lead adults, especially people of color, to jobs and pathways toward family-sustaining wages. Pan African Community Endowment is currently seeking proposals for projects and/or programs focused on reducing racial disparities in Minnesota in four strategic areas: 1) Health; 2) Housing; 3) Justice; and 4) Education.  The Two Feathers Endowment is proud to partner with the Tiwahe Foundation on 2014 grantmaking. Please visit Tiwahe's Website for more information on grantmaking guidelines and deadlines.   Racism is a Hydra - The Monster is in Us A hydra is one of my most often-used racism metaphors. In previous Facing Race e-newsletter articles, Racism is a Hydra and One of the Hydra's Heads - Subtle Discrimination, I used the hydra--- a multi-headed monster from mythology--- to describe the monster of racism. While some manifestations of racism are visible, others, like some of the heads of the hydra, lurk in less obvious but still dangerous places.    One of these less visible but insidious manifestations of racism is revealed through research compiled by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University. The research shows that our brains--- without conscious prompting--- react differently to different races. The conclusion is scary: the monster of racism is inside of us.  Read more Rowzat Shipchandler is the racial equity manager at Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. This is the third in a series of posts by Rowzat exploring the metaphor of racism as a multi-headed monster or  hydra. The Minnesota Philanthropy Partners network includes The Saint Paul Foundation, Minnesota Community Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Mardag Foundation and more than 1,700 additional charitable affiliates. Together, the MN Partners network shares expertise and services to make charitable giving thrive and benefit all Minnesotans. Learn more at mnpartners.org.

Minnesota Philanthropy Partners | 101 Fifth Street East | Suite 2400 | Saint Paul | MN | 55101

LOCUS "Keeping Current" Happy Hour on 6/25

On the heels of "Affirming Authenticity: Identity-Driven Leadership" conversation series focused on the challenges that women of diversity face at home, in the workplace, and in their communities, LOCUS invites you to a casual summertime "Keeping Current" Happy Hour! Taking a few pages (and no more than that!) from the book club model, our prompts for light conversation include a recommended reading list of articles covering recent and current events related to equity and inclusion. 

Join us on the patio (or indoors in the case of inclement weather) at the Green Spoon Cafe on Wednesday, June 25, from 5:30pm - 7:30pm to enjoy drinks and appetizers, discuss the Recommended Reading List articles and other related questions, and to connect with great people!

"Keeping Current" Happy Hour Reading List

• Liberal Heroes and The Colbert Twitter Debate | Katie Rose Guest Pryal
• Kobe Bryant Wasn't Impressed by Miami's Trayvon Martin Protest | Jamilah King
• The Most Powerful #YesAllWomen Tweets | Nolan Feeney
• Lean Out: The Dangers for Women Who Negotiate | Maria Konnikova

Register online here!

*Event attendees are responsible for the cost of their meals and beverages.

TruArtSpeaks Presents: The Push Back

The Push Back 

The dropout crisis in America is a grave and growing concern. One million high school students drop out annually. We want to know why, so we are seeking your voice. Join the conversation and change the narrative. We want to know the real reasons, what is happening behind school doors and how can we all move towards a different future? 

TruArtSpeaks is inviting you to push back! Create, develop & share your three minute poem or rap addressing the national high school drop out crisis and submit it to the TruArtSpeaks website to enter into the competition. There will be a public event showcasing the top three poems/songs addressing this increasingly significant issue in our community. The competition is open to artists between the ages of 15-22 with a MN address. The top three videos, as well as the two runner ups, will be displayed at a public event honoring the participants and dispersing rewards for the top three videos. All videos will be entered into a national educational scholarship competition for $5,000! For more information on the national competition, the RAISE Up Project, click here. 

The deadline to submit your three minute poem/song as part of The Push Back competition is June 30th. 

Poems/songs can be developed and filmed independently and submitted here. * Or poets/emcees can attend one of four community workshop series, facilitated by some of the Twin Cities' freshest artists, in an effort to assist with not only your writing process, but with the filming process. All workshop participants will have their poem filmed by Line Break Media during the final session. 

This workshop series is structured in a three tier fashion. Participants will learn and explore the dropout crisis in America in a structured environment, alongside a professional artist from the Twin Cities community. The first set of workshops will be facilitated by Chantz Erolin at Diamonds Coffee Shoppe NE., Minneapolis, MN, 55413 from 5-7p on two consecutive Thursdays:

• June 17th, 2014 - Introduction to Content & Writing Workshop
• June 24th, 2014 - Performance Rehearsal & Filming

Participants need only register once, they will be automatically enrolled in all three workshop sessions. Youth must attend all sessions to enroll in the competition.To register for these free workshops and have your poem entered into a national education scholarship competition for $5,000 as well as a statewide competition, CLICK HERE!

*All videos must be filmed in front of a solid background

2014-2015 Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI)

Nexus Community Partners is recruiting applicants for the second cohort of their Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) program, which is advancing racial equity in the Twin Cities through participation and policy-making on local and regional boards and commissions. To learn more about nominating someone or applying to the 2014-2015 BCLI cohort, RSVP today to take part in an upcoming information session!

Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute Information Session

Join us this Thursday to learn more about the BCLI

Join us to hear how the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) community is advancing racial equity in the Twin Cities through policy on local and regional boards and commissions - and find out how YOU can nominate or apply to the 2014-2015 BCLI cohort. 

When: Thursday, June 5, 2014: 9-10:30am
Where: Hope Community, Inc, 3rd Floor Loft: 611 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis 55411
(free Visitor Parking in lot - enter parking lot from Oakland Ave; also street-side parking on Oakland Ave or Portland Ave)

Please RSVP to abrown@nexuscp.org. Light refreshments will be provided.

"We need to be running our own folks for seats by building power that pursues true democracy...We need to be developing leaders to be bold at those decision-making tables and to never leave their community behind. This is how we tell our own story. This is a story that tells everybody they can belong, and this is how we build our movement." Kandace Montgomery, 2014 BCLI Graduate

Can't make it this Thursday? 
Join us for one of our additional info sessions throughout the Twin Cities (please RSVP to abrown@nexuscp.org and indicate which session you plan to attend):

• Tuesday, June 17, 2014 (5:30-7pm) @ CLUES, McKnight Room
• Thursday, June 19, 2014 (6:30-8pm) @ Brookdale Library, Room AB

We're now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 BCLI cohort! 
All Nomination Packets are due July 18, 2014 by 12 midnight CST. Download the Nomination Packet here. 

About the BCLI Nexus' Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) is a 7-month leadership program that supports, trains and places people of color and other underrepresented community members on publicly appointed boards and commissions that influence and impact equity in the Twin Cities Metro Area. About Nexus Community Partners Nexus Community Partners (Nexus) is a community building intermediary whose mission is to build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting community building initiatives that expand community assets and foster social and human capital. Learn more about our work here.

Copyright © 2014 Nexus Community Partners, All rights reserved. 

Now Hiring: Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs and Services at St. Catherine University

Thanks to Anna for sharing this job posting at St. Catherine University to serve as the Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs and Services. Learn more online!

Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs and Services

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying to the opening.  We highly encourage you to gather any required application materials before starting the application, especially if there is a application deadline.  To apply to the position, please click the Apply to this Job link/button.  If needed, you may save draft copy of your application and return to it a later time.  Your application is not complete until all required data and application materials are submitted and a confirmation number is provided to you.

If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the Bookmark link. To email this position to a friend, click on the Email to a Friend link.  If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the Print Preview link.

Bookmark this Job | Print Preview | Apply to this Job

Posting Details

Position Information

St. Catherine University in St. Paul/Minneapolis is a comprehensive Catholic university with the nation’s largest college for women at its center. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the University integrates liberal arts and professional education within the Catholic traditions of intellectual inquiry and social teaching. Committed to excellence and opportunity, St. Catherine enrolls over 5,300 students in associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs in both traditional day and weekend formats. Associate and Graduate programs enroll both women and men.

Job Title	Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs and Services
Primary Campus	St. Paul
Posting Number	20140023-STAFF

Position Summary Information

Position Responsibilities	St. Catherine University, a Catholic liberal arts college for women, serving a population of 28% students of color, is accepting applications for Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs and Services. This fulltime position is responsible for implementing retention programs for U.S., immigrant and refugee students of color. We seek creative, adaptable employees who are comfortable with the mission of this Catholic institution and enjoy working in a campus climate that promotes multicultural understanding. Consistent with the University’s commitment to women, diversity and social justice, preference will be given to candidates who manifest these themes in their work and service. We value having a diverse pool of candidates. Applications from candidates of color are especially encouraged. Responsibilities: Assist with the development, implementation, coordination and assessment of services and retention programs for students of color at the St. Catherine University. The Assistant Director will be responsible for a peer mentor program for first year students, retreat planning, initial and ongoing student contact, educational and social programming, building community and student leadership, advising multicultural student organizations and individual students, supervising student workers, and serving on various committees. The Assistant Director also advocates for equity and inclusion at the University, facilitates student development and educates students to advocate, provides resources and referrals for college success, and collaborates with local multicultural communities. Compensation includes comprehensive benefits package.
Position Qualifications		Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; Masters preferred. Three (3) years minimum experience working with diverse student populations is also required. Candidates must have experience and knowledge in working with students of color in an educational setting, experience working with first generation college students, immigrants, refugees and experience engaging in multicultural communities. Familiarity with racial identity development and cultural adaptation issues a plus. In addition, candidates should have demonstrated experience in program development, group facilitation, and strong administrative, organizational and interpersonal skills. Creativity, multi-tasking, and listening are also necessary skills. Previous experience in higher education or working with college students preferred. The successful candidate must have the ability to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, in a manner that affirms the worth and preserves the dignity of individuals, families and communities.
Special/Other Requirements Summary		To apply: Please go to the St. Catherine University Employment Site to electronically apply for this position. Website link is: http://www.stkate.edu/hr Applicants may also visit the St. Catherine University Human Resources office to submit an electronic application. We are located in Derham Hall, Room 8. Priority will be given to applications received by May 2, 2014. St. Catherine University 2004 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 EEO/AA/Drug Free Workplace Employer Tobacco-Free Campuses Our University is a proud member of the Upper Midwest HERC and is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff and assisting dual career couples. For more information and to find other higher education jobs in the Upper Midwest region, visit: www.uppermidwestherc.org