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Intellectual Entrepreneurship as a Platform for Transform, by Gary D. Beckman and Richard A. Cherwitz
The thesis of this article is that “Intellectual Entrepreneurship (IE)” provides an intellectually authentic philosophical foundation capable of sustaining cross-campus entrepreneurship education. Drawing upon initiatives begun at The University of Texas at Austin, the authors document how IE educates “citizen-scholars.” Read more
Combating Violence, Creating Community: A Workshop Series On Domestic Violence
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Monkey Wrench Books and the office of Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement (TICE) will host an interactive workshop series on Domestic Violence (DV)--addressing its root causes and exploring creative methods for building a more safe and healthy community. Read more
DDCE Administrator Promoted, Will Assess and Grow Programs for First Generation and Historically Underrepresented Students
Dr. Ge Chen has been promoted to assistant vice president, in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE), at The University of Texas at Austin. She previously served as special assistant to the vice president in charge of leading the assessment process in the DDCE, ensuring its consistency, effectiveness, rigor and documentation. She also serves as the liaison to the Office of Graduate Studies at the university to support outreach and recruitment efforts and initiatives for graduate student diversity. Read more
Help victims of Hurricane Ike during relief day event
The Volunteer and Service Learning Center is hosting a Hurricane Relief Day to raise money for victims of Hurricane Ike. There will be food, entertainment and donation stations. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., West Mall, for more info, visit
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/vslc/
Intellectual Entrepreneurship (IE) Pre-Grad intern Justin Jefferson (Biology) and his Grad Mentor Deena Walker (Pharmacy-Neuroscience) were the featured speakers at UT's "Gone To Texas" celebration on August 26. They discussed the importance of mentoring. View video
The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement All-Division Staff Meeting, September 15, 2008, 8-11 AM
Download the powerpoint presentation from our all-division staff meeting as we begin the 2008-09 academic year.
"Nurture Texas' New Crop of Citizen-Scholars: Mentoring Those from Upwardly Mobile Backgrounds Makes All the Difference,"
by Ruby Morua Olmanson, Intellectual Entrepreneurship (IE) Pre-Graduate School Internship Program, published in the Houston Chronicle, visit http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5933806.html
Summer Institute for the Gifted brings residential program to
The University of Texas at Austin
After a year and a half of planning with university administrators and community partners, The Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) proudly launched a residential program for students from around the globe this summer at The University of Texas at Austin. For more info, visit http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/news/archive/summerinstgifted08272008.php
Dr. Rick Cherwitz discusses the Intellectual Entrepreneurship (IE) Pre-Graduate School Internship Program in Newsweek column, visit http://www.newsweek.com/id/151473
Octavio N. Martinez Jr. Is Named Executive Director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
Dr. Octavio N. Martinez Jr., a professor and clinical psychiatrist with experience in finance and banking, has been appointed executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin. Martinez was selected following a national search for a successor to Dr. King Davis, who resigned as executive director in May to return to teaching full time in the university’s School of Social Work. Martinez will take office on Aug. 11 as the fifth executive director and the first Hispanic to lead the foundation since it was created in 1940. Martinez also will hold an academic appointment in the School of Social Work.
To read the release click here: http://www.hogg.utexas.edu/news_pr_Martinez.html
Two University Outreach Center Students featured in the Houston Chronicle
Twin sisters, Annette and Anita Bates, were recently featured in the Houston Chronicle for being the top graduates of their school. The siblings attend Worthing High School in Houston, which participates in the University Outreach Centers (UOC) program. The UOC assists underrepresented students in grades 8-12 to excel academically and to enroll in institutions of higher learning upon graduation. This is accomplished through a variety of interventions that are relevant to the needs of the target students.
To read the article click here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5806832.html
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
Celebrated in May, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) commemorates the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1978 to designate the first week in May Asian American Heritage Week. In 1992, the designation was extended to span the entire month of May. This particular month was chosen in order to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion on May 10, 1869. The vast majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
To learn more information about APAHM click here: http://www.loc.gov/topics/asianpacific/about/
Powers reflects on the University's record year in diversifying students and faculty
President William Powers recently announced The University of Texas at Austin made strong gains this year in diversifying students and faculty. The entering class in the fall of 2007 was the most diverse in the University's history. Additionally, UT has added a significant number of underrepresented faculty in the past two years. read more
Festival celebrates Asian cultural traditions, food
With a variety of Asian cuisines and live cultural performances, members of the Austin community celebrated the first AsiaFest Austin.
AsiaFest celebrates National Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month; awards civic contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses; and gives scholarships to one high school student and one college student, said Troy Wong, vice president of the Network of Asian American Organizations. read more
Festival showcases diversity for youth
The University Child Development Center hosted its 15th Annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday. The event capped off the Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children that focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. read more
Workshop calls for civic engagement between the University and community
A recent workshop highlighted civic engagement between the University and the surrounding areas. The event was the second in a series of three hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. read more
Black engineering student group wins national honors
The University of Texas at Austin's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers was recently named "National Large Chapter of the Year" by its parent organization, a first-time honor for the 60-member student group.
"It feels great," says chapter chair Justin Iglehart, an electrical engineering senior in the Cockrell School of Engineering. "It's always great to receive a national award." He says the chapter, which was formed in 1976, has always been strong in professional development and academic achievement, two of the three areas judged in the competition. This academic year the chapter revved up its community-service efforts as well. The members tutored at-risk students in mathematics at East Austin's Johnston High School on a weekly basis.
"We really upped it this year," says Iglehart, whose group previously mentored on a monthly basis. "We wanted to have more of an impact and to be more consistent." The National Society of Black Engineers is one of the largest student-managed organizations in the country with more than 24,000 members. It has more than 270 chapters on college and university campuses, 75 alumni extension chapters and 75 pre-college chapters divided into six regions. For more information click here: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/05/05/engineering_student_group/
The Project in Interpreting the Texas Past presents "Oral History, Identity and Diversity"
Plan II students participating in the Project Interpreting the Texas Past of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium will read from oral histories on race and diversity at UT-Austin on Monday, April 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in room 007 (Joynes Room) of Carothers. A discussion will follow and refreshments will be served. Please contact Dr. Martha Norkunas, project director, for more information at m.norkunas@mail.utexas.edu
The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement Announces Release of Impact Report
The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) has just released its 2008 Impact Report. The report, which is the first of its kind for the recently expanded and restructured division, introduces the division’s staff and outlines its initiatives and recent achievements. Its pages reflect the DDCE’s deep commitment to ensuring that The University of Texas at Austin attracts a robust and diverse mix of faculty, staff and students, while connecting its intellectual resources to the needs of the community.
Volunteer and Service Learning Center draws 1,500 students to “The Project”
On February 23, 1,500 student volunteers spent the day cleaning up and beautifying several Austin sites during “The Project 2008.” The work of the volunteers is currently showcased on the UT On Campus Web site with a video production. The event, administered annually by the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, functions as UT’s annual Day of Service event.
View the video at: http://www.utexas.edu/oncampus/2008/04/04/the-project/
The Intellectual Entrepreneurship Pre-Graduate School Internship
Web link: http://www.utexas.edu/coc/cms/faculty/cherwitz/
The Intellectual Entrepreneurship Pre-Graduate School Internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students to work closely with a graduate
student mentor and/or faculty member. Throughout the semester, interns discover those unique aspects of graduate study that make it distinct from the undergraduate experience, such as conducting research, serving as teaching and research assistants, and participating in seminars.
Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights, March 25-28
Web link: http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/events/hemansweatt/
You are cordially invited to attend the 22nd Annual Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights, March 25-28 with events hosted on The University of Texas at Austin campus.
Themed The Powerless Majority: The Black and Latino Experience in America, the symposium will focus on issues related to the African American and Latino experience in today's society such as educational inequality, health care disparities, and the disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system. Furthermore, programs will examine the interaction between African Americans and Latinos and how these issues are manifested in those relationships. This year's keynote speaker will be Ron Kirk, who will deliver the closing keynote address on Friday, March 28, at 7 p.m, at the Thompson Conference Center, located on the University of Texas campus. The Web site provides a listing of events and times, as well as locations.
Civic Engagement Series kicks off with Nuanced Listening workshop, March 19
Web link: http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/news/archive/civicengagement03182008.php
Wednesday, March 19, 12-1 p.m.
Texas Union Chicano Culture Room
Do you move through life thinking you are listening to the people around you, and then realize that you haven't really "heard" them? This one-hour workshop will give you suggestions on how you can be a much better, and more nuanced listener, particularly as you listen to people of different races, ethnicities, genders, and social classes. The workshop will be presented by Dr. Martha Norkunas, Director of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Oral History & Diversity Project. Dr. Norkunas is an oral historian who has been professionally "listening" to peoples' stories for more than twenty-five years.
This workshop is the first in a series of three Civic Engagement Series workshops. The Division of Diversity and Community Engagement presents three workshops on Civic Engagement to facilitate University-Community Partnerships by enhancing listening skills, giving an overview of the importance and basics of civic engagement, and assisting in preparing a strong grant proposal to finance University- Community partnership projects. Dr. Martha Norkunas and Dr. Tommy Darwin have been involved in creating and overseeing civic engagement projects for over twenty-five years, and are currently part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.
Contact: Ruth Ortiz, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement,
512-475-6064 or truth@austin.utexas.edu
Vagina Monologues, March 21-22
Tickets and volunteer information for "The Vagina Monologues,” coming to the UT-Austin campus at 7 p.m. on March 21 and 22 at the Burdine Auditorium:
Tickets are $10 and are available at the West Mall Vagina Monologues table, the Gender & Sexuality Center (ground floor, Student Services Building) or from your favorite VM cast member.
A few reminders:
- The show begins at 7:00pm, but we expect folks to be in their seats by 6:45pm or else we'll be sorry to release the seat to somebody else in line. (We therefore advise that you both buy your ticket in advance and be seated by 6:45--we sell out every year.)
- There will be sign language interpreters both nights so please forward this information on to anyone who can take advantage of this resource.
- Counselors will be present both nights to assist anyone who would like somebody to speak with during the show.
Please join us in ending violence against women and girls as we benefit Saheli and the VAV Survivors Fund. The Vagina Monologues are presented by the Women’s Resource Center and co-sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Center.
Volunteers are needed! The production team needs volunteers on March 21 and 22 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. All volunteers receive half-price tickets ($5 instead of $10). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Matthew McKibben in the GSC at 512-232-1831 or by e-mail at: gsc@uts.cc.utexas.edu
Queer Texas Conference, April 26
Web link: http://www.queertx.org/qtc/
The Queer Texas Conference (Saturday, April 26) is an action-oriented, day-long educational gathering of youth and students from across Texas to build community and improve the organizational capacity of our movement. Action summit sessions will include skills training and dialogues on social identities and intersecting oppressions. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all.
The Queer Texas Conference is presented by the Queer Students Alliance and co-sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Center.
March is Women’s History Month
Throughout U.S. history, women of every race and class have made contributions that have helped to shape and strengthen the country. Prior to the 1970's, however, the topic of women's history was largely missing from the general public’s consciousness. This changed in 1978 when the celebration of women's history began as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved every year with support in both the House and Senate. For more information visit the National Women’s History Project website: http://www.nwhp.org/whm/history.php
DDCE offices located at 1301 East 7th Street will move this week
Several units of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement will be moving during the week of March 3-7, 2008. During the move on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, telephone and e-mail access will not be available. The offices, currently located on East 11th Street, include: DDCE Business Services, Pre-College Youth Development and Student Academic Success Initiatives, Neighborhood Longhorns Program and University Outreach Center of Austin. read more
Dr. Charles Bonjean, former Austin resident, retired educator and previous executive director of the Hogg Foundation, dies at 72
Dr. Charles “Chuck” Bonjean, 72, a long-time Austin resident, retired sociology professor and third executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, died February 20 in Florida of natural causes. He moved from Austin to Florida in December 2007 to be near family. Bonjean was a noted philanthropist, educator and administrator whose career spanned more than 40 years with The University of Texas at Austin. He also was a talented pianist and jazz devotee who enjoyed playing music with friends. read more
Project in Interpreting the Texas Past announces 2008 fellowships
The Project in Interpreting the Texas Past (ITP), an initiative of the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE), announces the 2008 Fellowships in Interpreting the Texas Past. Six fellows from four colleges at the University of Texas will create a variety of projects about race, identity and history.
For more information, visit http://communication.utexas.edu/news/PROD75_011872.html
Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement leads Abriendo Brecha
The Office of Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement will coordinate the planning of the fifth annual Abriendo Brecha Activist Scholarship in the Americas Conference. Abriendo Brecha is based on a broad conceptualization of activist scholarship as research and creative intellectual work in alignment with communities, organizations, movements and networks working for social justice. Dr. Craig Womack, author of both fiction and non-fiction and associate professor of literature at Emory University, will keynote the conference on February 22 at 4:15 p.m. in the San Jacinto Conference Center.
For more information, please visit www.utexas.edu/diversity/abriendobrecha
UT Elementary School announces Dr. Vincent as new board chair
The University of Texas at Austin recently announced that Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement, will serve as chair of the management board for the University of Texas at Austin Elementary School. The charter school, located in East Austin, is the first university-school-community partnership of its kind in the state. The partnership allows educators the wonderful opportunity to apply research gathered in the academic setting directly to best teaching practices in the classroom. It has been rated as an exemplary school by the Texas Education Agency based on its Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores for spring 2007 and is the only school in East Austin that holds this distinction. Visit www.utexas.edu/provost/elementary to learn more about the UT Elementary School.
Institute launches diversity educator series
The Diversity Education Institute will kick off its series for experienced diversity and social justice educators on Monday, February 11 with “White Privilege: Managing Feelings of Guilt and Effectively Managing the Concept.” The workshop will be presented from 3 to 5 p.m. In the Sinclair Suite of the Texas Union and feature Dr. Robert Jensen, associate professor of journalism and author of “The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege” (2005). Additional workshops on disability, religion and sexual orientation will take place on March 5 and April 3. Registration is required.
Contact Aurora Chang-Ross at changross@mail.utexas.edu for more information.
Celebrating Black History
Beginning as a weekly observance, Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926. The week-long event was extended to the entire month in honor of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. We owe the celebration of Black History Month to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History.” He chose February because it coincides with the birthdays of two men who had a great impact on the African American community: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This year, the Multicultural Information Center is partnering with the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and Austin Cornerstone Church to produce the eighth annual Black History Month Worship Service. The event, themed “Our Praise Along the Path,” will take place Wednesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. in the Art Building Auditorium (room 1.102). For more information, contact the Multicultural Information Center at 512-232-2958.
For a listing of events throughout the community in honor of Black History Month, please visit http://www.mlkcelebration.com
Campus Fusion co-directors selected
Nathan Bunch and Sabrina Jiwani have been selected to serve as co-directors for the 2008 Campus Fusion “Week of Dialogue,” which will take place in mid-October. Campus Fusion, which began in 2003 as a collaborative effort between the Multicultural Information Center and Student Government, will again offer a week of campus-wie diversity programming this fall including a kick-off rally, town hall meeting and culmination talent show, as well as other events to be announced. Jiwani, a junior majoring in anthropology and Asian American Studies, served on the 2007 Campus Fusion executive board as event chair for Love Your Body Day. Bunch, a government and Mexican American Studies sophomore, served as publicity co-chair on last year’s board.
Contact Ryan Miller at rmiller@austin.utexas.edu or 512-232-4854 for more information.
Prominent East Austin alumni receive Community Leadership Award
Seven distinguished, trail-blazing individuals who dedicated their lives to social justice and equality were awarded the Community Leadership Award by the University of Texas at Austin this past December. The awards were presented by William Powers, university president, and Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, vice president for diversity and community engagement and W. K. Kellogg Professor of Community College Leadership, at a reception hosted at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. The ceremony served as an acknowledgement of the university’s fellowship with East Austin and its ongoing efforts to build partnerships in the community.
The honorees included Mrs. Ada Anderson, Dr. Exalton Delco, Hector De Leon, J.D., the Honorable Gus Garcia, Dr. John Q. Taylor King, the Honorable Harriet Murphy, and Dr. Charles Urdy.
