Major as Home: How do Identify as a Social Worker. The Social Work Department hosted a networking event with faculty, alumni, and MSW and BSW students. This is event was an opportunity for professionals and future professionals to reflect on how they identify as a Social Worker.
This interdisciplinary panel discussion sought to break some of the common stereotypes society places on certain groups and populations. The panel consisted of three USI undergraduate students and one Ivy Tech Community College undergraduate student. The panelists shared the struggles they faced overcoming addictions, immigrating to the United States, and being a veteran returning home. They also discussed the barriers they have encountered both on campus and in the community.
The 2nd Stand Against Racism Rally, presented by the CSJE and the YWCA of Evansville, featured remarks from CEO of YWCA of Evansville Erika Taylor, CSJE Director Jay Dickerson, USI Assistant Professor of English Marcus Wicker, Director of International Studies at USI Christopher Rivera, Black Student Union President Briana Howard, Hispanic Student Union Representative Luwi Matanda, Student Government Association Chief Justice Elijah Brothers, and Diane Clements. The rally also included a performance from the USI Jazz Band.
Jen Chapin is a musician and activist who works with WhyHunger (founded by her late father Harry Chapin) and other food justice groups. While visiting USI, she presented three guest lectures, gave two performances with discussions for the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Health Professions, and appeared at two off-campus events in Jasper and New Harmony.
Panel members included Kelley Coures, Executive Director of Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Evansville; Ben Gardner, Regional Representative for Freedom Indiana; Rebecca & Tabatha Fisher, community members. The discussion focused on the topic of homophobia and the effects it has on members of the LGBTQ community in regards to foster care, adoption, medical care, stigmas, and stereotypes. Also discussed was Indiana’s HJR-3 legislation the effects it could have on the LGBTQ community.
The founder of the Global Soap Project, Mr. Derreck Kayongo, visited USI to speak about moving to the United States and how he came up with the idea for the Global Soap Project. The Global Soap Project is a program which takes donated, melted, purified and reprocessed hotel soap and redistributes it around the world to places where the people do not have access to soap. Kayongo shared the world-wide impact the project has on refugees and developing countries.
The 1st Stand Against Racism Rally presented by the CSJE and the YWCA of Evansville, featured remarks from Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, CEO of the YWCA of Evansville Erika Taylor, CSJE Director Jay Dickerson, and representatives from the Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, and the Student Government Association. USI’s gospel choir, Designed by Grace, also performed at the rally.
Ms. Bruceann King, University of Southern Indiana Field-seminar Instructor and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation Social Worker, gave a presentation about diversity biases, and how social work students might prepare to work with diverse populations. She discussed challenges social workers face when dealing with diversity and emphasized understanding a person rather than judging by appearance or stereotypes.
Mr. Lane Simpson, Crow Nation Tribal Representative and Human Services Professor at Little Big Horn College in Billings, MT gave a lecture centered on the successes and struggles of Crow Nation. He spoke about the conflicts with the United States government and current legal battles on the reservation as well as the continued need for social justice.
Professor Michael Omolewa, Permanent Delegate and United Nations Ambassador of Nigeria, lectured about Nigerian culture and its role in education. A shift from teaching only Nigerian culture to more Western education has caused the children to lose some sense of culture. Omolewa discussed the need to find a balance between teaching Nigerian culture along with Western themes.
The CSJE has had a booth at numerous Student Involvement Fairs at the beginning of each fall semester. It is an opportunity for the CSJE to interact with USI students and hand out brochures and snacks while informing students about upcoming events planned for the semester.