Raritan Valley Community College
PAE-T2-3: Student Training Opportunities

New York City Tolerance Center program Annually, Raritan Valley Community College invites new employees and students to participate in the New York City Tolerance Center program. The New York City Tolerance Center is a professional development multi-media training facility. The program was conducted to provide RVCC faculty, staff and students participants with an intense educational and experiential daylong training program on cultural competence. Through interactive workshops, exhibits, and videos, individuals explored issues of prejudice, diversity, tolerance, and cooperation in the workplace and in the community. In addition, the evaluation instrument asked each participant to provide comments to several questions. Based on the evidence collected to evaluate the program, the findings clearly indicated that the presenters met the objectives of the program and the quality and content of the program was relevant to the participants. Coordinator: Richeleen Dashield, Dean of Multicultural Affairs Institute’s Holocaust and Genocide The center was opened in 1999. It serves as the repository for the Morris and Dorothy Hirsch Research Library of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The room offers a place for quiet study and reflection. Teaching materials, reference materials, a multi-media collection, and internet access are available. This Resource Room serves as an instructional Center for classes, workshops, lectures, and presentations. The Institute for Holocaust & Genocide Studies has offered educational programs for educators, students and the community since 1981. The goal of the Center, since its inception, has been to teach the consequences of man’s inhumanity towards man. By studying the Holocaust and Genocides, we learn critical lessons about human behavior; use and abuse of power; and being a responsible citizen when confronted with civil rights violations and/or policies of genocide. This Institute has provided thousands of educators, researchers, students, and members of the Community with programs to learn significant lessons about remaining indifferent, apathetic, or silent to the suffering of others. Institute Mission includes to: (1) promote tolerance, understanding, and compassion to the suffering of others; (2) share the lessons learned from The Holocaust by identifying the danger signals in prevention of other Genocides; (3) serve as a repository of various educational materials: audio visual and literature about; Diversity, The Holocaust, and Genocides for research, study, and to provide educators with the tools to teach these complex histories. evoke reflection and remembrance; (4) encourage active community participation in combating bigotry and hate through social action. Our Programs include: • Learning Through Experience: It is the Institute’s cornerstone educational program. It began as a one-day program in 1981, and has grown into a 3-day annual event. More than 3,000 middle and high school students and educators participate in a unique series of workshops related to The Holocaust and Genocides. They listen to guest speakers who have experienced the consequences of hate and prejudice with courage in the face of adversity. • Make A Difference Program: The “Make A Difference Reception” recognizes and honors those individuals who through their actions promote tolerance and understanding in the community, and who embody the values of teaching tolerance and diversity. • Community Legacy Project: The project at RVCC was initiated in 2005 as an educational project that presents the story of the Holocaust Survivors, Liberators, Rescuers and their families who are living in our community. The Legacy Project highlights the lessons of history as a way to foster discussion and create understanding about ongoing Genocides. The Community Legacy Project preserves the history for future generations and ensures that The Holocaust and Genocides are not revised, changed, or altered from the truth. As a teaching tool, the Community Legacy Project supports the Holocaust curriculum mandated by New Jersey. Paul Robeson Institute at Raritan Valley Community College Founded in 1999 to preserve Paul Robeson's legacy in the area where he came of age as an artist, athlete, orator and scholar. The Institute envisions a global community of diverse cultures that embodies, through attitudes and behaviors, Paul Robeson's ideals, beliefs, values and vision for a world of justice and peace. Mission: Using the legacy of Paul Robeson, the Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice will inspire the individual and community to achieve the highest standards of academic achievement, ethical conduct, leadership and social justice. The institute (1) Fosters a spirit of inquiry and excellence in academic studies, communication skills, and the arts and sciences (2) Provides educational and cultural opportunities that emphasize Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice; (3) Emphasizes the core values needed by young adults for leadership roles and civic participation in the 21st century; (4) Promotes values for respect and common ground among all people; (5) Serves as a repository for the historical records and memorabilia of Robeson's Somerville years and the worldwide accomplishment of people of African descent. Program activities include: international speakers, Robeson Educators Seminar and Robeson Youth Awards which recognize academic scholarship, athletics, community involvement, and performing arts of middle school and high school students.  Cultural Heritage Series Program Calendar December 2010 Thursday, December 02, 2010 LGBT Ally/Safe Zone Program On the afternoon of Thursday, December 2, 2010, Debbie Bazarsky, founding director of the LGBT Center at Princeton University, will be on campus to lead an interactive workshop on the specific issues that our LGBT students face on a daily basis, both on-campus and off-campus. The workshop will begin at 3:30pm in the Atrium. At the end of the 2 ½ hour program, each participant will be given the opportunity to indicate his/her willingness to serve as an Ally and/or to designate his/her work area as a “Safe Zone” for the discussion of issues related to sexual diversity. ________________________________________ January 12 - 21 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Wednesday, January 12 “Civility in Our Classroom” Incivility is disruptive behavior that shows disrespect for the instructor and fellow students. Understanding the lessons learned from Dr. Martin Luther King, adjunct faculty will be provided with tools that promote civility in the classroom. This workshop is part of Reporting Day’s evening activities for adjunct instructors only. Tuesday to Friday, January 18 – 21 Evelyn S. Field Library All Day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Exhibit of Library Resources Tuesday and Wednesday, January 18 - 19 All Day Welcome Stations Talk with students and learn about the MLK celebration activities, service learning/community outreach partnerships, programs and services. Find out how you can be involved at RVCC too! Tuesday to Friday, January 18 – 21 MLK Multicultural Activities Student, faculty and staff can volunteer as noon time readers each day or participate in a multicultural craft activity with the children on Tues or Thurs at 10:00 in the morning with the children. All books and supplies are provided. All you need to do is register to volunteer. Be part of a diversity learning experience for our youngest students. Thursday, January 20 SGA presents MLK Read-In and Writing Contest We invite students, faculty and staff to participate and share their favorite short reading and poems on the MLK theme “Live the Legacy”. Dr. Martin Luther King video and news clips will be shown. Friday, January 28 Dr. Martin Luther King Community Partner Breakfast The program will celebrate Martin Luther King’s rich tradition of service to the community by recognizing RVCC’s local community organizations and student groups that provide service learning and civic engagement activities. Tickets are required and space is limited. ________________________________________ February 3 -24 Black History Month “African Americans and the Civil War” Thursday, February 3 Opening Day Ceremony – NJ Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Historical re-enactment and soul food lunch. Tuesday, February 8 Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice Living Voices “Our Revolution” Robeson Educators Seminar (Stephanie Wilson, Executive Director of NJ Amistad Commission) Tuesday, February 22 Frederick Douglass’s Civil War: Journalism, Facebook, and Obama- Dr. James Trotman Dr. Trotman served as the Director of the Frederick Douglass Institute and Professor of English at West Chester University. He is the author of the recently published Frederick Douglass, A Biography. The biography covers the life of the most famous black abolitionist and intellectual of the 19th century. Douglass was internationally recognized as an indefatigable worker for justice and defender of women's rights. He became a trusted advisor to President Lincoln during the Civil War. If you value free speech, democracy, social networks and freedom for all people, take a moment to learn more about importance of Frederick Douglass and his connection to President Obama and Facebook. Thursday, February 24 “Campus Climate on US Colleges” – Dr. Sue Rankin Dr. Rankin will share her research and the implementation process for strategic intervention of civility on college campuses. Dr. Susan Rankin is a Senior Research Associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education and Associate Professor of Education in the College Student Affairs Program at The Pennsylvania State University. ________________________________________ March Women’s History Month "Our History is Our Strength" 100 years of Struggle: Celebrating the Centenary of International Women’s Day Tuesday, March 1, 2011 Women’s Center Financial Clinic Tuesday, March 1, 2011 "Will the Egyptian Revolution be Feminized? Arab and Muslim Women in the Public Sphere” Respondents: Prof. Brandyn Heppard, Philosophy; Prof. Ronald Tyson, English and Prof. Andrea Vaccaro, ESL Anisa Mehdi, is an Emmy award-winning journalist and filmmaker specializing in religion and the arts. She is President of Whetstone Productions, a boutique production and consulting firm based in New Jersey, and Artistic Director of “Documentary Voices: Pulling Focus,” an initiative launched in Dubai in July 2008. She was a 2009-2010 Fulbright Scholar in Amman, Jordan, where she mentored professional broadcasters and taught aspiring filmmakers. Mehdi’s commitment to peace in the Middle East is a lifelong passion. She grew up in an interfaith (Muslim-Christian) home; she remains an active voice in Arab-American politics. Thursday, March 3 SGA – Alexia Smith, Social Entrepreneur, Writer, TV Host and Survivor Finalist Wednesday, March 2 SGA/PTK Leadership Series – Super Friends/Justice League: Inclusion, Advocacy and Leadership Using the 1970’s animated cartoon series, Richeleen Dashield, Dean of Multicultural Affairs will examine quest for justice as individual leaders (heroes) and challenges of group response to racial and cultural diversity. This workshop will identify the ‘superhero code of conduct” and the myriad of resources that promote a supportive community at RVCC. Wednesday, March 16, 2011 “The Role of Women in the Creation of World Peace” Respondents: Prof. Charlie Bondhus, English; Prof. Saulo Colon, Sociology Sara Flounders, Co-Director, International Action Center, New York, has often spoken at universities and high schools and appeared on CNN, FOX, ABC News, BBC and Al Jazeera, NPR and Pacifica Radio. However, she views her main role over many years as a grassroots organizer because she believes the only way to make a real difference in the world is through collective effort at the grass roots level. Thursday, March 17 “Cross Talk” presented by Sisters to Sisters and Brothers Helping Brothers Thursday, March 24, 2011 Holocaust and Genocide Institute presents: Ishmael Beah, author, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider” New York best seller author describes his life as a child solider in Africa in civil war-torn Sierra Leone. His story is of redemption and hope. A Long Way Gone was nominated for a Quill Award in the Best Debut Author category for 2007. Time magazine's Lev Grossman named it one of the Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2007. Tuesday, March 29, 2011 “The Journeys of 3 Outstanding Women Grads: Celebrating the Women of RVCC in the Centenary of International Women’s Day” Moderator: Prof. Anita Rosenblithe, English Courtney Raphael (class of 2004) is the first English major to graduate at RVCC and the recipient of the 2004 Academic Award for Excellence in English. The mother of 6 children, she is now in law school at Rutgers (Camden) and plans to be a public servant in the Criminal Justice arena. She is featured on the Rutgers (New Brunswick) website as an outstanding student in their master's program in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations. Liz Libby (class of 1986) is completing a Master's in Nursing from the College of St. Elizabeth. Last year as a group leader for the Foundation for Peace (from the College of St. Elizabeth), she traveled to the Dominican Republic where she, along with other nurses and doctors, helped at least 300 patients a day. She is a board member of this organization and plans to lead another group, possibly to Africa. This spring she will be doing her student teaching at RVCC. Ashley Potenza (class of 2010) is a talented singer/lyricist whose songs are infused with women's issues (one of her songs was inspired by Sylvia Plath). She also is a new mother! She was named after John Lennon and has made several CDs. Thursday March 31, 2011 "How Long Must Women Wait for Liberty? The 19th Amendment's Impact on
 Voting Rights for Women Then and Now” Moderator: Prof. Lauren Braun, History


 This panel discussion will feature 3 RVCC students, Ashley Olsen, Leslie Truelove, and Jessica Schmidt, as well as former mayor of Green Brook, Melonie Marano, who is also current President of the Somerset County 
Federation of Democratic Women. The panelists will discuss the
 decades-long struggle it took for women to gain the right to vote, 
including the words of famous and ordinary New Jerseyans. They will also discuss the importance of voting today, why some young women today are
 reluctant to vote, what might be done to address that, and the
 importance of women participating in all aspects of the political
 process. 



 ________________________________________ April Friday, April 1 Trip to the Tolerance Center in NYC This annual program is open to new employees and student. Using innovative methods and settings, participants will gain awareness of difference and build skills for creating a more inclusive campus. Tuesday, April 5 CRECER Latino Youth Outreach program Orgullo Latino Club hosts 100+ Latino high school students. Our theme this year is “Make the Dream Happen” featuring two speakers Lisa Mateo (WPIX Morning Newscaster) and Gerson Martinez (Cool Speak – Motivational Speaker) Wednesday, April 6 Women’s Center presents Anthony Winchatz, Somerset Resource Center Thursday, April 7 Paul Robeson Institute presents “Youth Achievement Award program” Friday, April 8, 2011 The 3rd Annual African American & Hispanic Male “Boys to Men” Conference Over 250 high school students attend this conference which is in partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Wednesday, April 13 THE WOMEN’S CENTER PROGRAMMING BOARD presents “Toxic Relationships The Signs of Unhealthy Relationships & How to Recognize Them” With Barbara Luby, RVCC Counselor Friday, April 15 LGBTQ Ally Training Part Two with Debbie Bazarsky, Princeton University Debbie will lead us with more scenario-specific workshop that will build on the introductory material that was covered in the first LGBTQ Ally training. During the session, Debbie will be guiding us through a series of exercises and role plays that will aim to equip Allies to converse with students about topics such as: the coming out process; acceptance/rejection by family and/or friends; dealing with heterosexism, homophobia, and/or bullying; and dating and relationships. Thursday, April 21 The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore “This is the story of two boys living in Baltimore with similar histories and an identical name: Wes Moore. One of us is free and has experienced things that he never even knew to dream about as a kid. The other will spend every day until his death behind bars for an armed robbery that left a police officer and father of five dead. It’s unsettling to know how little separates each of us from another life altogether.” Thursday, April 28 Denim Day Rally April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In an effort to help eliminate persistent harmful attitudes regarding why, where and how women are raped, Peace Over Violence initiated Denim Day in L.A. ten years ago. The event was initially triggered by an Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans. Wearing jeans on this day has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. ________________________________________ May Jewish-American Heritage Month Tuesday, May 24 “Make a Difference” Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Holocaust and Genocide Institute at RVCC with distinguished program and dinner. Wednesday and Thursday, May 25-26 The Learning Through Experience