OCAT's Green Table: Real Discussion. Real Students.

We Are APIDA

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at Michigan State University — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 21:00:00 -0700

Join a diverse group of Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA) students as they share their stories as student leaders at Michigan State University. MSU APIDA students are 1st generation, adoptees, multiracial, multi-lingual, members of the LGBTQ+ community, parents, veterans, among many other identities and are in need of resources to support their student success. This APIDA Heritage Month edition of OCAT’s Green Table centers the experience of APIDA student leaders as they navigate an anti-Asian pandemic environment. But, let’s be clear. An anti-Asian environment did not begin with the pandemic. Join us to listen, learn, and empower our MSU student leaders. This episode is especially geared toward MSU faculty, staff, and administrators.

Why Vote?

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at Michigan State University — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 21:00:00 -0700

This is a very lively discussion that engaged our students with some of these questions related to this year’s election, such as:

1. Why does voting matter? To you? To your family? To your community?

2. What do you say to people who think voting is a “waste of time,” “pointless,” “voting for the lesser of 2 evils,” etc.?

3. Why should people care about the election?

4. How will the outcome of the election impact you? Your family? Your community? If Trump wins? If Biden wins?

5. What are some problems with this year’s election? What are some solutions to these problems?

6. What’s at stake with this election as opposed to any previous election? Is this one different? The same? Explain

7. What are your thoughts on the election “process?” Are you worried about anything?

8. What are your thoughts about Post-election? What will you do? What are your next steps?

Building Solidarity Through Heritage While Navigating The College Experience

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at Michigan State University — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 21:00:00 -0700

Our student panelists will discuss what it means to be Latinx, their experiences as a person who identifies as Latin@x/Hispanic in and beyond the classroom, their strategies on student success, how they navigate the institution, and answer your questions. Hosted by MSU OCAT & CRU.

Your Struggle Is My Struggle?

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at Michigan State University — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 21:00:00 -0700

Our panelists were asked what motivates them? Read what they wrote below.

Jonathan Suan, Sterling Heights, MI majoring in Social Relations and Policy. Organizations/Positions: APASO Vice President
“The people I see around me every day.”

Anamaria Lopez, Grand Rapids, MI with Double degree in Elementary Education & Spanish. Organizations/Positions: CRU (DDLM Chair), Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., students for a free standing multicultural building, a Residential Assistant in Case Hall
“The tenacity and spirit of people who have gone through difficulties but continue fighting such as my parents and friends. They are resilient so I know I can be too.”

Javier Wilson, Detroit, MI majoring in Supply Chain Management
Organizations/Positions: Chapter President for the Delta Kappa Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
External Vice-President for the MSU NPHC
“Doing the work to create a tomorrow that is better than today.”

Lesly Morales, Brownsville, Tejas majoring in Social Work
Organizations/Positions: Freestanding Multicultural Building. I serve my MSU/Michigan/Brownsville community.
“My family motivates me.”

Sharron Dynasty Reed-Davis, Detroit, MI majoring in Political Science Pre Law and Human Development and Family Studies
Organizations/Positions: President of Black Students’ Alliance, Chair of CORES & COPS, Mentor for HIS Agency’s You Are The Gift Program.
“As a Black woman I am consistently overlooked and under-appreciated, yet I find myself consistently screaming for change. Even with everything stacked against me I believe that we can change this world to become a more equitable place for all. The advancement of Black people is my #1 motivation. “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept” -Angela Davis”

Real Discussion. Real Students.

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) at Michigan State University — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 21:00:00 -0700

Each of these students were asked what motivates them. Read their response below.

Edwin Jaramillo, Southwest Detroit, MI majoring in Journalism
“What motivates me is being able to make equitable and sustainable changes in the communities that I am a part of. Being part of a first generation family and being a first generation college student I take my activism and work very personally.”

Rebekah Long, Detroit, MI on a Pre Med track with a major in Community governance and advocacy
“I am motivated by the strength of my communities & combatting inequality in all spaces.”

Jay Gooden, Detroit, MI majoring in Theatre
“What motivates me is my ability to change the world.”

Phong Hoang, Saline, MI majoring in Electrical Engineering
“What really motivates me to be a student activist and a student in general are my parents, they gave up a lot to give my siblings and I a comfortable life.”

Alondra Alvarez, Southwest Detroit, MI majoring in Communication
“My community, both my Latinx community and my community back home in Detroit knowing how resilient we are always motivates me to never give up and to continue to break all of the stereotypes and assumptions people have of us.”