Presentations & Activities

Presenter: Roy Cady-Kimble, Staff, Assistant Dean of Admissions
Co-presenters: Chris George, Staff, Associate VP of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid; Shannon Cron, Staff, Associate Dean of Admissions; Gladys Cortes, Staff, Assistant Dean of Admissions

Brief:

On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered an opinion that effectively removed the consideration of race from college admissions processes.

Almost a year has passed since the Supreme Court handed down their opinion, and St. Olaf is in the final month of their first admissions cycle without the ability to consider race. What has changed? What has the team done to mitigate the expected “chilling effect” on diverse college populations? How can we make sure that prospective students know that we are still committed to a diverse and inclusive St. Olaf, now and into the future?

Join Associate VP of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George and his colleagues as they return to the stage and discuss the current state of college admissions–the lessons we have learned this year and where we can go next.

About the presenters:

Roy Cady-Kimble is an Assistant Dean of Admissions at St. Olaf College. Before coming to the Hill, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Carleton College and his Master of Arts in Higher Education at Columbia University. Within his admissions work, Roy focuses on the role of relationships on the success of Community-Based Organization (CBO) partnerships and helps to serve the college community on the Committee for Native Student Support and Recruitment.

Gladys Cortes y Venegas (she/her) is an Assistant Dean of Admissions at St. Olaf College. Gladys has been in admissions at St. Olaf since graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Carleton College in 2019. In her work, she leads the transfer admissions process, serves on the St. Olaf College retention committee, and works closely with community based organizations in Texas.

Shannon Cron is an Associate Dean of Admissions at St. Olaf College. Shannon has worked in the admissions department since 2017. Prior to that, she counciled high school seniors through the college application process at College Possible and graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in theatre. She’s currently in the final semester in her master’s program at the University of Minnesota, where she studies higher education and organizational development. In her work at St. Olaf, she focuses on professional development for the admissions staff and working closely with Twin Cities community based organizations (CBOs).

Chris George is the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at St. Olaf College where he leads the college’s enrollment and retention efforts. With 25 years of professional experience at St. Olaf College and the University of Denver, Chris has worked in Admissions, Financial Aid, Housing, Budgeting & Planning, and Institutional Research. His interest in enrollment was inspired by the personal connections and the varying factors that influence students and families in the college selection process. He regularly presents on financial aid, choosing a liberal arts college, and using data to inform practice.

Presenter: Don Ezra Plemons, Staff, Assistant Director of Creative Experience

Brief:

A Showcase to highlight campus staff and staff-departments’ ongoing DEI work since 2017/18, with special emphasis on “unseen” projects and changes to policy or procedures that happened behind the scenes that current students may simply take for granted: These changes were put into place with the love, care, and hard work of our staff community.

Presenter: Sidonia Alenuma, Faculty, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology/Anthropology

Brief:

Being the Light in the Tunnel: An Expression of the Multicultural Self

When all fails, you can always count on the multicultural self. How can you not see the light in the tunnel if you are the light itself? It is indeed multicultural to be the light in the tunnel. The growing diversity in our world affirms the need for perceiving the world as a global village, it is becoming increasingly important to address the isms (both negative and positive ones) governing our interactions with each. The negative isms, sexism, racism, ableism, classism, etc. can be mitigated with the adherence and practice of the positive isms such as multiculturalism, anti-racism, and feminism. With emphasis on positive isms, such as multiculturalism, and antiracism, I argue that in order to mitigate negative isms such as racism, sexism, ableism, classism, etc., we need not just address issues at the theoretical level; we need to practice/live isms in our real-life interactions with individuals, thus have our theoretical works, research, publications be informed by our lives in pursuit of praxis at its best. To be truly multicultural is to be our true selves, to be human first. To affirm one’s humanity one has to be their authentic truly multicultural self! To truly affirm diversity, we must perceive all voices as legitimate roads to an inclusive world. We can only do this from a standpoint of multiculturalism by advocating true and meaningful education, creating awareness of inequity, social injustices in our communities, organizations, nations and our increasingly shrinking world that can be described as a global village.

About the presenter:
Dr. Sidonia Alenuma is from Ghana. She has studied, lived, and/or worked in Canada, Ghana, France and the former Soviet Union. Dr. Alenuma worked as Associate Professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, prior to coming to Saint Olaf College. She holds a PhD degree in Cultural Studies in Education from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a master’s degree in International Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax – Nova Scotia, Canada as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honors – Second Class Upper) in Sociology and Russian Language from the University of Ghana, Legon-Accra. Her interests and expertise include teaching from and for Social Justice; Multicultural Anti-racism Education; Educational Reform; Sociology of Education; Cultural Studies and International Development. She has published book chapters, journal articles and a book (Race and Educational Reform in America – History, Strategies and Ethnography). Dr. Alenuma’s latest and on-going project is titled: Autobiography in the Making: A Trip to The Ivory Tower?! It is research/narrative on the self. The project is a self-examination and self-reflection of her personal journey as a female African-born teacher education professor in academia. The goal is to provide inspiration for others on the same path. Additional on-going works and conference presentations include explorations on the intersection between curriculum and culture, providing quality education to children living in poverty through hybrid inclusive strategies like differentiated multicultural instruction. She is also currently working on a book titled: Exploring the Meaning and Practice of Multicultural Education across Cultures.

Presenter: Rehanna Kheshgi, Faculty, Assistant Professor of Music – Ethnomusicology, Gamelan
Co-presenters: Miri Yang-Stevens, Student; Sayidcali Ahmed, Community Partner

Brief:

Motivated by Dr. Tania Mitchell’s claim that equity and inclusion are at the core of community engaged work, which ultimately seeks to inspire people to make connections that will “guide their futures toward work, relationships, and community building that advances social justice” (2022), this presentation explores St. Olaf’s current definition of transformative action and proposes ways to increase connection and belonging on campus and beyond.

The three presenters represent contrasting yet complementary perspectives on how this work can be carried out collaboratively in order to foster a greater sense of connection, belonging, and mutual responsibility: an international student, a music professor, and a local elementary school teacher who is also a nonprofit program manager. Reflecting on their collective and ongoing work with Somali families in Faribault through the study and performance of Somali songs connected to an ACE course, a CURI project, and a student organization under the Volunteer Network umbrella, the presenters demonstrate how systemic efforts to transform the space of academic learning to incorporate student-led initiatives, mentorship, and local community knowledge can help combat the isolation felt by students who crave connection on and beyond the hill.

About the presenters:

Rehanna Kheshgi is an ethnomusicologist whose research on gender, sexuality, and the body at the intersections of popular, folk, sacred music and dance performance in India has been recognized with support from the American Institute of Indian Studies, the American Association for University Women, the Fulbright-Nehru Program, and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University. Her recent publications explore performances of gender and sexuality through Bihu, the springtime Assamese New Year’s festival. Rehanna’s current project incorporates community engaged research and pedagogy to build relationships with local Somali organizations and individuals in Minnesota through collaborative exploration of Somali songs.

Miri Yang-Stevens is an international student planning to major in Computer Science and Quantitative Economics. A graduate of Mahindra United World College of India in Pune, Miri has focused on learning about different parts of the world, understanding the political, cultural, economic and social conditions in various communities, and she aims to contribute to the common good in her future career. Miri works as a student assistant in the office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment and is building a public-facing website featuring Somali songs as part of a CURI project with Rehanna Kheshgi.

Sayidcali Ahmed is currently serving as Program Manager at Waano Learning Center in Faribault as well as Teacher and Board Member of Surad Academy, a K-5 charter school in Faribault. A dedicated professional and MasterCard Foundation ’19 scholar, Sayidcali graduated from Westminster College with dual majors in Political Science and Global and Transnational Studies, and held the position of Distinguished Fellow of The Public Policy & International Affairs Program at Princeton University. Originally from Somaliland, Sayidcali is committed to enhancing education for immigrant and refugee students by pursuing a career in education policy and analysis with a focus on Global, International, and Comparative.

Presenter: Reginald Miles, Staff, Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
Co-presenter: Ryan Sheppard, Faculty, Associate Professor of Practice in Sociology/Anthropology

Brief:

The Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion has partnered with Ryan Sheppard, Associate Professor in this study to understand our BIPOC faculty and staff perceptions and experiences related to belonging and support on campus to strengthen St. Olaf College’s path to inclusive excellence. The results from this study will be shared.

About the presenters:

Dr. Reginald Miles serves as the Interim Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at St. Olaf College. He has been in the field of higher education for nearly two decades. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean of Admission/Director of Multicultural Recruitment at St. Olaf College and has worked in enrollment and academic and student services at The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Emerson College. Reginald holds an Ed.D. in educational administration from Northern Arizona University, a M.Ed. in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State University and an undergraduate degree in English from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Dr. Ryan Sheppard, Associate Professor of Practice in Sociology, teaches Foundations of Social Science Research (quantitative research methods), Sociology of Family, Gender and Work, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Women’s Studies, and an interim course in Thailand. She has taught at St. Olaf since 2006, after teaching in Lithuania, California, Pennsylvania, and at several colleges in Minnesota. Ryan came into sociology as an activist, having worked with homeless people and battered women and in the anti-nuclear movement. She received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California.

Presenter: Susan Canon, Staff, Director, Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
Co-presenters: Lauren Feiler, Staff;  Assistant Director of Institutional Research and Student Success; Susie Smalling, Faculty,  Professor of Social Work & Family Studies; Associate Dean of Social Sciences; Director of Faculty Inclusion & Belonging

Brief:

We will explore the results of the Fall 2022 Higher Education Research Institute’s Faculty Survey (HERI Faculty), conducted nationally and at St. Olaf College. This interactive session will focus on survey items related to faculty’s perceptions about institutional commitment to diversity, their role in fostering an inclusive environment, as well as the climate for diversity within the faculty, and their own sense of belonging and respect at St. Olaf. Through small and large group discussions, audience members will have the chance to share their reactions to the information presented and suggest how St. Olaf can strategically respond to the survey results.

About the presenters:

Susan Canon is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment

Lauren Feiler is the Assistant Director of Institutional Research & Student Success

Susie Smalling is a Professor of Social Work & Family Studies; Associate Dean of Social Sciences; Director of Faculty Inclusion & Belonging

Presenter: Dr. Bryan Bass ’95, Alumni, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Achievement, Osseo Area Schools
Co-presenters: Dr. Kim Hiel, Superintendent of Osseo Area Schools; Paula Forbes, Founder of Finding Human Institute, Robin Francis, Principal Consultant for Finding Human Institute

Brief:

Part I
Embark on a journey through the design process that launched an organizational framework, deeply rooted in equity and the transformative concept of holding space. Participants will learn about WHY there is a need to hold space for individual and collective transformation to occur. Participants will be introduced to the three pillars of holding space – self, others, and systems.

Part II
This session will immerse participants in several exercises from the first pillar of holding space – self-discovery. Participants will briefly explore the historical roots of the social construct surrounding race, unveiling its impact on individual perspectives regarding race, culture, and identity. Engage in a self-discovery exercise that taps into race consciousness, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself within the broader tapestry of diversity.

About the presenters:

Dr. Bass earned his undergraduate degree at St. Olaf College, his Master of Arts in Education from St. Mary’s University, Educational Specialist degree from St. Thomas University and Doctorate of Education from St. Cloud State University, advancing academic research in Standards-Based Teacher Evaluation. Bryan is also certified as a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. Bryan serves on the Executive Boards for Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES) and the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MNEEP).

Dr. Hiel has over 20 years of educational experience.  Previously, she served as the superintendent of Fridley Public Schools,  assistant superintendent at Osseo Area Schools, and  a principal at Zanewood Community: A STEAM School, within the district. Additionally, she has been a principal at Robbinsdale Area Schools. The Minnesota School Board Directors of Color and Indigenous Fellowship and Minnesota Association of School Administrators have both recently awarded Hiel for her distinguished leadership.

Presenter: Paul Johnson ’08, Alumni, Organizational Development and Equity Partner, City of Plymouth

Brief:

The summer of 2020 has been referred to as the “Great Awakening.” More than ever before, White folks started getting involved in racial justice work. We flocked to (online) bookstores to find books on anti-racism, in hopes of finding the perfect “how-to” manual for combating systemic racism in our workplaces and communities. For many, learning about systemic racism and white supremacy brought on a lot of shame, leaving us asking questions that we would never pose out loud, like “Can I feel good about being White?” and “How do I reconcile with having ancestors who did such terrible things?” and “Should I even do anything or should I just get out of the way because I’m part of the problem?”

As a person who did not ask these questions until much later in his social justice journey, Paul Johnson invites you to a conversation about allyship, racial identity and healing from racial trauma. He can attest to the fact that engaging in self-reflection and practicing self-love are critical elements of anti-racism.

In this session, we explore the idea that better understanding the “Who” will make the “How” more effective.

About the presenter:

Paul Johnson (he/him) is a dedicated advocate for social justice, a champion for equity and inclusion, an experienced leadership development coach, a DEI-centric content creator, and an aspiring ally. He is the co-host of The Modern White Man, a podcast that explores the roles White men can play in equity work. Currently he is the Organizational Development and Equity Partner for the City of Plymouth. He lives in Minneapolis with his partner, Bailey, and 3 year old Mirae.

Presenter: Rahaf Qarabsa, Student
Co-presenters: Rachel Borgan, Zuri Venegas, Josephine Miller, Jose Gonzalez Ramirez, Elijah Johnson.

Brief:

The Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM) Action Team’s goals are very tightly aligned with the summit’s purpose in recognizing shared experiences and collaborative efforts that underscore the commitment to advancing the DEI and a sense of belonging not only on the St. Olaf campus but also to the broader discussions in higher education. Our mission acknowledges the shared experience of excellence and challenges by proposing actionable steps to address identified barriers and further support the growth of DEI efforts within the St. Olaf campus. The team is in a unique position to spark DEI conversations and action across the department.

About the presenters:

Jose Gonzalez Ramirez: Senior Pre-Optometry Student Chemistry Major
North Star STEM Alliance Leader, Bandana Project President, Latine Student Excellence Initiative President, Blue Key Honor Society Co-President, EMERGE S-STEM Scholar, McNair Scholar, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar

Josephine Miller: Senior Physics Major Concentrating in Statistics and Data Science: Member of the Society for Women in Physics, Society for Physics Students, SPS Poster Project, Physics TEAM-UP Member.

Zuri Venegas: Senior Computer Science Major Concentrating in Statistics and Data Science:
TRIO SSS Student, Taylor Center Connect For Success Scholars Mentor, NorthStar STEM Leader, Member of Linx Ladies and Presente.

Elijah Johnson: Senior Biology Major: St Olaf CUBE PR, EMERGE S-STEM Scholar, St. Olaf McNair Scholar, St. Olaf NorthStar STEM, U of MN Clinical and Translational Science Institute PREP Scholar 2023

Rachel Borgen: Senior Psychology Major Concentrating in Family Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies: Psi Chi President, CAAS leader, Psychology Club Vice President, Environmental Coalition, Women for Reproductive Rights, St. Olaf Leftist

Presenter: Joseph Mbele, Faculty, Professor of English

Brief:

Cultural differences have real consequences, especially in our world that is increasingly becoming a global village. For about thirty years as a cultural consultant, I have witnessed and helped deal with tensions and misunderstandings involving Africans and Americans. We need to acknowledge these differences and talk about them openly. Yet, it seems to me that here in the USA, the fear of offending people leads into evasive and defensive strategies such as abstract theorizing and political correctness. On my part, I have learned the value of humour, as I demonstrate in my two short and accessible books: “Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences” and “Chickens in the Bus: More Thoughts on Cultural Differences.” Discovering that our cultures are weird is not only entertaining but also humbling, and it fosters mutual understanding and mutual respect.

About the presenter:

Joseph Mbele, a Tanzanian, is a professor in the English Department at St. Olaf College. He arrived at St. Olaf in 1991 from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, where he had been teaching from 1976 in the Literature Department. He specializes in global literature in English and Folklore. He is also a consultant, helping Africans and Americans navigate cultural differences. As part of this work, he has written two books: “Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences and “Chickens in the Bus: More Thoughts on Cultural Differences,” which are widely used in programs such as study abroad and cultural diversity training.

Presenter: Peter Schattauer, Staff,  Associate Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community
Co-presenters: Grace Tillmann, student; Mary Fangman, student

Brief:

One of the essential goals described in St. Olaf’s mission statement is for students to “examine faith and values, and explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community nourished by Lutheran tradition.”

For some students– especially those with a Lutheran background– this statement is easily incorporated into their time spent at St. Olaf.

For others, this statement falls short of capturing the religious diversity of the student body.

To mediate between these two interpretations of St. Olaf’s stated mission, we emphasize that it is through our deep connection to the Lutheran tradition that we may fully embrace and invite students to participate in a community that cherishes such a diverse array of religious backgrounds and traditions. To do this, we draw heavily from Dr. Martha E. Stortz’s chapter in this year’s All Community Read, So That All May Flourish: The Aims of Lutheran Higher Education.

In applying some of Dr. Stortz’s frameworks for thinking about interfaith and multireligious engagement as a faith-based institution, as well as the challenges and triumphs that come with committing to religious diversity, we further develop what it means to be “rooted and open” in the context of higher education and explore why religious diversity should be acknowledged, fostered, and celebrated at all faith-based institutions, no matter their religious affiliation.

Through our work, we ask (and aim to answer) two questions:
What does it mean to actively embrace religious diversity at an institution that is based in one tradition, and why is it important and beneficial for all to do so?

The format we will be using will mirror previous Flourishing For All events. It will include a combination of brief lecture and small group discussion. We will open with a question, present important ideas drawn from Dr. Stortz’s chapter, discuss these ideas in small groups, and then share final thoughts synthesized in each group.

We hope for those who attend to come away from this presentation with a better understanding of how to foster and celebrate religious diversity at St. Olaf, and in communities throughout their lives.

About the presenters:

Mary Fangman is a Senior Political Science Major. Coming from Rhode Island (the origin of the American concept of the separation of Church and State), Mary has always been interested in the intersection of religion, faith, and civil governance. While Mary identifies as non-religious, she has been inspired by growing up in an interfaith family throughout her life. Mary has previously worked on other interfaith projects connecting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim teens internationally through Hands of Peace to develop compassion, empathy, and cooperation between these groups. Her hobbies include baking, reading, and playing with her cat.

Grace Tillmann is currently a senior sociology/anthropology and religion double major at St. Olaf. While I’m not entirely sure what I’ll end up doing after I graduate in the spring, I would love to enter into social work of some kind, particularly with children or with people experiencing addiction or working through substance use or mental health disorders. If that doesn’t work out, I’d love to do some fieldwork or research on religiosity in rural areas, or religiosity as it relates to and interacts with political beliefs and activity!

Presenter: Tara Hupton, Staff, Assistant Director of Student Support
Co-presenters: Kathy Glampe, Staff, Director of Academic Success Center
Sarah Jurewicz, Staff, Associate Director of Orientation and Transition Experiences

Brief:

Our presentation focuses on the peer-led St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) program and how it works to build community and to foster belonging for first-year students. The purpose of SOAR is to expose the hidden curriculum of college and provide knowledge and resources to help students find success. Another critical purpose of the SOAR program is to help first-year students find a sense of belonging on campus.

From the first moments of orientation through the entire first-year experience, new Oles are connected to SOAR leaders and fellow group members. SOAR groups are linked to students’ fall first year experience course, so they also interact with their SOAR group three hours each week in class. In our presentation we will show data to demonstrate the impact of SOAR on students’ sense of belonging at St. Olaf. We will also share the challenges we have faced, and how we are using student and faculty feedback to continuously improve the program.

About the presenters:

Tara Hupton is an Assistant Director of Academic Support in the Academic Success Center. She oversees the St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) program for first-year students. After almost 20 years as a classroom teacher in K-12 Education, Tara came to St. Olaf in 2018 to work in academic support to continue her passion for helping students use their strengths to find academic and personal success.

Kathy Glampe directs the Academic Success Center at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She has over twenty five years of experience directing programs that support students to thrive academically, including with the federally funded TRiO programs which provide educational opportunity to low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities. Ms. Glampe is committed to providing a range of support services to students to help them maximize their academic potential.

Sarah J. Jurewicz has a 23-year career in Higher Ed which includes head coaching women’s basketball, athletics administration, classroom teaching and Masters Program directing. Her current role at St. Olaf College is the Associate Director of Orientation and Transition Experiences which she has held since December 2022. Throughout the various roles she has held, Sarah strives to provide space for students to belong and flourish.

Presenter: Vince Omni ’96, Alumni,  McKnight Doctoral Fellow in the department of English (Creative Writing) at Florida State University

Brief:

This presentation seeks to inform workshop attendees about the creation of SoulClap: A Black Joy Journal. The mission of SoulClap is to develop a digital publication that centers joy in the everyday lives of African diaspora people. This focus is meant to shift the mainstream narrative away from trauma, a crucial evolution for the emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of African diaspora people. This annual publication, made possible by a grant from Florida State Open Publishing, will showcase scholarship from the fields of autoethnography and creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry). Other content will include interviews, soundtracks, and intergenerational storytelling. During this presentation, workshop attendees will gain a better understanding of autoethnography and its impact on Black storytelling. They will also participate in a guided creative writing exercise.

About the presenter:

Vince is a McKnight Doctoral Fellow in the department of English (Creative Writing) at Florida State University. His area of concentration is African-American Literary and Cultural Studies, with a focus on adapting fiction written by writers of the African diaspora for film and television. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas and a BA in English from Saint Olaf College. He is a 2023 Kimbilio Fellow, a 2022 HurstonWright Fellow, and winner of the 2019 Margaret Walker Memorial Prize in Fiction.

Presenter: Kelsey Thompson, Staff, Assistant Director of Assessment
Co-presenters:  Chris Chapp, Faculty, Professor of Political Science; Morrison Family Director of the Institute for Freedom and Community; Marina Edlund, Staff, Institutional and Effectiveness Office Coordinator & Program Coordinator for Equity and Inclusion;  Sophia Kushner, Student; Martin Olague, Staff, Director of Taylor Center;  

Brief:

How much do students’ courses emphasize diverse perspectives and self-reflection on identities, biases, and privilege? What are students’ perceptions of St. Olaf’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion? This session will explore answers to these questions using findings from the 2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The panelists will highlight student responses from NSSE’s Inclusiveness and Engagement with Cultural Diversity module, compare these to responses from this same module in 2021, and provide reflections on how these data may continue to inform the college’s DEI work. Through small and large group discussions, audience members will have the chance to share their reactions to the information presented and suggest how St. Olaf can strategically respond to the survey results.

About the presenters:

Chris Chapp teaches courses on research methodology and American political behavior. He received a B.A. in Political Science and English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where he studied American politics with an emphasis in political psychology.

Marina Edlund has worked in Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment for eight years. She also worked on the To Include is To Excel grant for four years. After the grant ended, Marina worked with the first Vice President of Equity and Inclusion and became the first Program Coordinator for Equity and Inclusion in 2021. She is also a member of the St. Olaf Staff and Faculty Well-Being Committee.

Sophia Kushner ‘24 is a composer, pianist, and educator from Columbus, Ohio. Since beginning her composition and education studies at St. Olaf, she’s been Assistant Artistic Director of Spiritus Novus and, most recently, guest conductor for St. Olaf’s Chapel Choir.

Martin Olague ’04 has been with the Taylor Center since August 2021. He is the current Director of the Taylor Center. He loves to work in DEI because he enjoys difficult conversations. It is important to have these conversations with students, and have a space where they can learn and grow.

Kelsey Thompson ’10 has worked as the Assistant Director of Assessment at St. Olaf for six years. She works frequently with NSSE data to provide insights on the student experience to faculty, staff, and the Board of Regents. She serves on the Academic Assessment Committee and leads the Co-curricular Assessment Committee.

Presenter: Paul Edwards, Staff, Associate Director of Career Development and Coaching, STEM
Co-presenters:  Students: Maheen Asim, Anja Logan, Jiwon Moon, Dhesel Khando, Meraf Haileslassie, Kaashya Khandelwal, Ikran Khalif, Hiba Samad

Brief:

In September 2023, eight St. Olaf College students attended the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) with the support of the Piper Center; the St. Olaf Office of the Vice President, Equity and Inclusion; and the Taylor Center. The GHC is sponsored by AnitaB.org (a nonprofit aimed to empower women and under-tapped communities in technical fields) and is the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary technologists. GHC presenters are leaders in their respective fields who recognize the importance of diversity in tech. The event also offers professional development through a variety of activities, and there are many events geared towards college students, such as networking, mentoring, and a career fair. The student presenters will discuss the impact of attending the GHC through the lenses of their individual lived experiences as well as their gender, racial, religious, cultural, academic, and other salient identities.

About the presenters:

Paul Edwards is Associate Director at the St. Olaf College Piper Center for Vocation and Career, and he has a large focus on supporting students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. His background includes career development, international education, intercultural training, medicine, entrepreneurship, and biomedical research.

Maheen Asim is senior computer science major with a statistics and data science concentration who has a passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in technology, advocating for gender equality, and empowering women.

Anja Logan, a senior computer science and math major, as the president of Linux Ladies student group, has supported mentorship and community building within the computer science major.

Jiwon Moon is senior computer science major and board member of Linux Ladies who wants to be a software engineer and also wishes to help international students and others who face challenges navigating the technology job market.

Dhesel Khando is senior computer science major with a statistics and data science concentration who cites that her family history of having a mother who was a Tibetan refugee in India has impacted greatly educational aspirations and future plans in technology.

Meraf Haileslassie is a senior math and quantitative economics major who has an interest in the influence of technology on healthcare and who mentions that coming to the US during COVID-19 pandemic truly provided a profound cultural awakening and inspired career interests.

Kaashya Khandelwal, a junior computer science and math major with a statistics and data science concentration, is interested in artificial intelligence/bioinformatics and in promoting shared knowledge and collaboration among the campus technology community.

Ikran Khalif is a junior computer science major with a race/ethnic studies concentration who wants to foster a culture of learning and inspire others to pursue careers in technology, while promoting diversity and inclusion in the field.

Hiba Samad is a junior computer science and studio art major who values intersectionality of identities and the building of representation and community in technical fields.

Presenter: Tchofor Dick Nchang, Student

Brief:

If there is one illness which has changed your life, it’s COVID. Chances are, you know someone who has been affected by it. Much like COVID, there is another c-word in healthcare we all fear. Cancer! It robs us of our pets and our loved ones. Now I have another c-word. But this one you might like it—CRISPR! Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. It has got this sophisticated protein called Cas-9, where for the first time in human history we have been able to get into the DNA and correct the gene mutations that cause the most challenging blood-type diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anemia.

I run this parallel to show that by preparing for the future–using curative gene therapies to cure blood-type diseases, we can unload the burden these diseases impose on vulnerable populations and on their economies. Sickle Cell for example poses a $9.1bn annual burden across 11 economies in Sub Saharan Africa. I believe this moonshot in gene therapies can also land a big win for primary health care, thereby improving our overall healthcare system.

For the past three years, I have been working in association with the Porteus Lab at Stanford University researching the Health Economics of Gene Editing. Given the advancements in cell technology and gene therapy resulting in the recent FDA approvals of Casgevy and Lyfgenia, access remains a challenge. And that is the problem I am going to solve. It is due to the progress I have made that I was named a Future Nobel Laureate, where I traveled to Sweden last December for the Nobel Prize engagements.

Please join me on this journey to make curative therapies accessible across developing countries and improve healthcare systems.

About the presenter:

Dick Nchang (he/him/his) came to St. Olaf from Cameroon. He is majoring in Quantitative Economics with a concentration in Statistics and Data Science. As a survivor of sickle cell, a degenerative disease that deprives the blood of oxygen, Dick founded the nonprofit Sickle Cell International Foundation, which operates in Cameroon and South Africa, providing broad support for sickle cell patients and their families. The foundation has attracted support from organizations such as Turkish Airlines and ALforHealth, and created partnerships with local hospitals in Cameroon to provide over $75,000 worth of nutritional support, tests, hospitalizations, and medications free of charge to more than 125 families. Dick has been researching the Health Economics of Gene Editing in association with the Porteus Lab at Stanford University on figuring out how to make curative therapies accessible across developing countries. He was recently named a Future Nobel Laureate Scholar in recognition of his work. Dick hopes for a world with equitable healthcare access.

Presenter: Zita Toth Gaddis, Staff, Assistant Director of Public Safety
Co-presenters: Derek Kruse, Staff, Director of Public Safety

Brief:

In the evolving landscape of campus safety, the integration of community engagement and proactive strategies is paramount. This roundtable invites campus stakeholders to explore innovative approaches for enhancing public safety while nurturing robust community involvement on the St. Olaf campus.

This session will delve into progressive methods to critically examine the role of public safety within the campus setting. Participants will engage in dynamic discussions on cultivating trust, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology to empower community-driven initiatives.

About the presenters:

Derek Kruse joined the St. Olaf community in January 2022 as Director of Public Safety. Derek has worked in public safety for over 15 years in various capacities, including 5 years as a sworn peace officer at the Mesa Police Department (AZ) and 4 years as a sworn peace officer for the South St. Paul Police Department (MN). During this time, Derek worked in several roles focused on community engagement and rebuilding the relationships between law enforcement and the communities they served.  Derek is certified in crisis intervention, substance abuse recognition, de-escalation tactics, crime prevention, and implicit bias training. Derek has received numerous awards during his time in public safety, including the MN Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor, the Dakota County Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor, and the South St. Paul Medal of Valor.

Derek received his AS from Normandale Community College, his BS from University of Wisconsin-Stout, and his MS from Concordia University – Chicago.

Zita Toth Gaddis (she/her/hers) received her bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Southwest Studies from Colorado College in 2016. She went on to earn an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University in 2021. Zita began working at St. Olaf College in June 2021 as the Assistant Director of Student Activities. In this capacity, she worked closely with students through the Programming Board, Student Government Association (SGA), and student organizations. In February 2023, Zita transitioned to serving as the Associate Director of Public Safety. Zita is passionate about the application of best practices in student safety, risk management, holistic well-being in student programming, and beyond.

Presenter: Jennifer Sippel ’00, Alumni, Faculty Librarian & Instructor at Minneapolis Community & Technical College

Brief:

In this session, jenny (she/her) will share examples of how she has spent over a decade actively practicing waking up to the ways in which her identity privilege–much of which she had not interrogated beforehand–impacts her feelings and experiences of belonging in spaces like home, school, work, church, carceral settings, as well as outdoor recreational spaces such as trails, parks and forests. She will facilitate an engaging active learning session, where participants will be invited to participate, share, and build community with one another through a variety of prompts and mindfulness practices. There will be some theory introduced, but mostly this session will be focused on exploring what it means to belong, and how our identities shape our understanding of this meaning, and how deepening our awareness of self can shift/transform that understanding.

Jenny identifies as a white, cisgender, able bodied human. She was born and raised in Minnesota, is married to Jon, and is the parent of Dylan, who is transgender and neurodiverse. There is much more to jenny’s identity, of course, but in an effort to be transparent in this context, felt it important to share part of the lens from which she operates and impacts how she will show up for this session. All are welcome to this session to explore themes of belonging together, and jenny welcomes being guided by the voices and perspectives of participants who show up to this session.

About the presenter:

Jenny Sippel (she/her/hers) is an anti-racist activist, educator, game enthusiast, mindfulness practitioner, and musician. As a Faculty Librarian & Instructor at Minneapolis Community & Technical College since 2007, she has taught Information Literacy & Library Information Technology courses, served as Coordinator of Library and Information Studies, and was a Programming Consultant for the Center for Teaching and Learning. jenny is a recipient of multiple MN State Innovation grants, which funded “A Mindful Path Toward Equity.” Most recently she has been teaching and volunteering her time in carceral settings. She enjoys being active, spending time outside, and exploring the world and all its wonders on her own and with her beloved family and friends.

Presenter: Peter Schattauer, Staff, Associate Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community
Co-presenters: Mike Berthelsen, Staff, Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Rehanna Kheshgi, Faculty, Assistant Professor of Music; Dr. Leslie Moore,  Staff, Associate Director of the Piper Center

Brief:

In a time when we are so often defined by what we produce rather than who we are, it can feel there is little space to think and talk about what ultimately matters and nourishes us. Further, in as divided a time as we live in, it is a radical choice to listen deeply to one another. What Nourishes You?: Conversations with Oles around Belief, Meaning, Purpose, and Life Choices is the opportunity to hear three faculty and staff members reflect on the things that nourish them as they navigate life in this world.

Join Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Mike Berthelsen, Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Rehanna Kheshgi, and Dr. Leslie Moore, Associate Director of the Piper Center as they reflect on the experiences, traditions, texts, people, and communities that have formed and nourished their lives. In gathering around conversations and questions of belief, meaning, purposes, and life choices, we will listen deeply, learn more about one another, receive nourishment from each other’s stories, and imagine the ways in which each of our stories belong within the story of this place. As you leave, you will be strengthened by the stories you have heard, begin the process of reflecting on the deep wells that nourish you in this life, and how your story belongs here.

About the presenters:

Mike Berthelsen was appointed as St. Olaf’s CFO and VP for Business and Finance in 2023. In this role, he is responsible for the financial leadership of the college. Prior to coming to St. Olaf, Mike had a 29 year career at the University of Minnesota holding several roles in the areas of budget, finance and operations that culminated in his work as Vice President of University Services. Mike completed his B.A in Philosophy and Political Science/History from Concordia College in Moorhead MN and his M.A in Public Affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Leslie Moore ’77 has served as Associate Director of the Piper Center since 2023. Leslie came to St. Olaf in 2015 to direct the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, later serving as Vice President for Human Resources from 2021-2023. Previously she worked in roles as general counsel for organizations in Australia and New York City. She also served on the faculty at Yale University, where she co-directed its writing programs and taught British literature and nonfiction. Leslie completed a B.A. at St. Olaf College, and both a Ph.D. in English and a J.D. at Yale University. Dr.

Rehanna Kheshgi is an ethnomusicologist whose research focuses on gender, sexuality, and the body at the intersections of popular, folk, and sacred music and dance performance in India. Her recent publications explore performances of gender and sexuality through Bihu, the springtime Assamese New Year’s festival. Kheshgi’s research has been recognized with support from the American Institute of Indian Studies, the American Association for University Women, the Fulbright-Nehru Program (2017-2018), and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University (2016-2017). Dr. Kheshgi’s newest project incorporates community engaged methods and applied ethnomusicological research into her work as a scholar and pedagogue, focused on building relationships with local Somali organizations and individuals in Minnesota through collaborative exploration of Somali songs from the 1960s and 70s.

Presenter: Jade Mac, Student

Brief:

Imposter syndrome is a behavior that consists of self doubt of one’s accompaniments, intelligence, and skills. A phenomenon that 70% of Americans will experience at least once in their life.
In this presentation, I will be sharing my own experience with imposter syndrome and how I learned to accept it, but not let it rule my life. With the influence of social media, I had found myself doubting my abilities, holding myself to unrealistic expectations, and failing to recognize my negative mindset. In my more recent years of teenagehood, there have been ups and downs, and recently, I changed my perspective on myself and how I go on living my life.

About the presenter:

Jade is a first year student from Novato, California. She is a social work and race and ethnic studies major, with a concentration in family studies. She is apart of St. Olaf Bay Area Posse 3, one of the newest posses on campus. Jade is also apart of the St. Olaf Honor Council, elected to serve as class of 2027’s first year representative. During the week, Jade is an Ole caller at the student outreach center, connecting with St. Olaf alumni and families. Jade is most passionate about her education, social justice, and her interpersonal relationships. In her free time, Jade enjoys working out, arts and crafts, journaling, and watching movies.