Infusing Social Justice Themes in College Student Leadership Programs Vernon A. Wall Director of Educational Programs & Publications ACPA – College Student Educators International Founding Faculty Social Justice Training Institute
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Flow Welcome Joining Up Defining Social Justice Leadership Programs Assessment Campus Strategies Discussion Closure/Evaluation
Joining Up Introductions What’s your challenge? Define Social Justice?
A Common Language Diversity Multiculturalism Social Justice
Adams, Bell and Griffin (2007) define social justice as both a process and a goal. "The goal of social justice education is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure." Reference: Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A Sourcebook. Edited by Maurianne Adams, Lee Anne Bell, and Pat Griffin.
Defining Social Justice Race/Ethnicity/Nationality/Skin Color Religious Beliefs Socio-economic Class Sexual Orientation Sex/Gender Identity Age Ability/Disability Body Image Others
The Dynamics of Diversity Individual Identity & Group Membership Equal is not necessarily equitable. Dominant/Subordinated Group Identities Owning our dominance/Recognizing dynamics Helping dominant group members answer the question: “What’s in it for me?” Multiple Identities You can make a difference!
Leadership Program Assessment Focus on either an individual Leadership program or your entire leadership development initiative
Campus Strategies Horizon’s Project 10 minute Mentors Correspondence with presenters/facilitators Training for student facilitators Statement on Inclusion/Social Justice Closing Statements/Making Meaning Journaling Dialogues (University of Michigan) Movies/TV/Video Current Events Discussions Service Learning (with discussion & reflection!) Utilize community resources Experiential Exercises (Game of Life, Star Power, Archie Bunker’s Neighborhood, Game of Oppression)
Resources National Clearinghouse on Leadership Programs (click on Resources) Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) Social Change Model of Leadership Leadership Identity Development Model - LID (Susan Komives & Friends) Social Justice Allies Book (Jossey Bass)
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
Vernon A. Wall Author, Lecturer, Consultant