Medaille University News
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Medaille College Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Kenya K. Hobbs reflects on how many inequities have become increasingly apparent in recent times, especially as they relate to learning environments and opportunities. He shares how educators can make a paradigm shift to help bridge these opportunity gaps and mentor these students rather than seeing them through a deficit lens.
Dr. Alice Villaseñor appeared as a virtual speaker at the 2021 Jane Austen Festival, “Race, Power & the Arts in Jane Austen’s World.” She presented on From Prada to Nada (2011), a film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1811) set in Los Angeles, and discussed how the film uses Austen’s story of the displacement of the Dashwood women to highlight the displacement of Latinx communities.
In addition to Medaille’s participation in the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, Medaille has announced an accompanying incentive challenge for all undergraduate, graduate and online students, in an effort to keep the College campus community safe and healthy. Medaille students can now unlock up to $30,000 in awards and scholarships by submitting COVID-19 vaccination records by August 9.
Medaille has received over $1.2 million in renewed grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which will allow the College’s clinical mental health counseling students to continue to provide critical mental health services to medically underserved and at-risk populations within Buffalo, Rochester and the surrounding communities.
The New York Health Information Management Association has recognized 2021 Medaille College health information management program graduate Lisa Stana ’21 with its Outstanding Senior Student Award, which is presented annually based on superior scholarship, integrity, initiative, enthusiasm and demonstrated professional potential.
Medaille has named nearly 350 students to the Dean’s List for the spring 2021 semester. Undergraduate students who meet the requirements of a minimum of 12 credit hours and who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for all credit hours carried during that semester are placed on the Dean’s List.
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Professor of History Dr. Daniel Kotzin presented his research this May at the 2021 Teaching History Conference, “Challenges in Teaching & Learning History: Issues of Pedagogy & Content.” His presentation focused on teaching students to critically evaluate how slavery is taught.
Medaille has partnered with national education consultant and expert in school turnaround strategies Dr. Marck E. Abraham to provide K-12 school leaders with a Leadership Academy this summer, focused on how to successfully bring students back to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the health and safety of every student, faculty and staff member, Medaille College is taking the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge pledge and is committing to action. As part of this national #COVIDCollegeChallenge, Medaille is issuing a social media challenge to all students, faculty and staff, who can participate, now through August 9, to be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card.
To avoid making the same mistakes that led to inequities in the past, we must be able to do the work and show our work. That means talking about Critical Race Theory, continuously engaging in uncomfortable conversations, and doing the work. This will help us avoid making the same mistakes and will remind us that change is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.