In an excellent PaperClip Communications conversation about how to “Prioritize the Needs of Students with Marginalized Identities,” three colleagues from Colorado State University shared their passion for and perspectives on the topic. When asked, “What are some ways to include student voices in all of these conversations?” they responded as such…
Kathy Sisneros, Assistant Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
“It depends on where and how you’re wanting to do it…. We do have a history of student activism on this campus in terms of presenting recommendations, or some would say demands. So, I have two lines on that: I think it’s super important to pull students into those processes and we have historically had a president’s multicultural student advisory council and that has served us quite well in the past.
“But I will also say, I bet you already know what your students are saying so I would ask… why are we wanting the voices, or do we already know? Try not to put additional labor on them if you already have the information.”
Jody Donovan, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
“It’s being intentional about whose voices are you listening to, what systems do you have in place to collect whose voices.”
Craig Chesson, Associate Dean of Students
“Not being afraid to go to the students, going on their turf to find the information and not just waiting for it to come to you.”
To learn much more about this important topic, please check out our On-Demand Training: “Prioritize the Needs of Students with Marginalized Identities.”
