Equity & Justice for All

LVC is building an inclusive campus community, and you can help.

Dr. Renata Williams

On June 15, 2020, Lebanon Valley College students, faculty, and staff gathered online for “Listening to Black Voices,” a virtual town hall. Black LVC community members shared their experiences with bias, sadness at ongoing violence and institutionalized racism, and hopes for a better future.

“Our students were crying out, ‘This is impacting us, it’s really close to home, and we’re hurting.’” said Dr. Renata Williams, assistant dean for engagement and inclusion and director of intercultural affairs & inclusive programming. “We heard from students who were honest and raw and unedited about how they felt about being Black students on a predominantly white campus.”

Khalil Brim ’21

Paraphrasing one of the student panelists, Khalil Brim ’21, so many times the voices of Black people aren’t heard in this capacity. And if it is heard in this light, we are often made to feel ashamed for our voices, views, ideas, thoughts, and reactions. We are told to curb them to fit the white norm of America. We have to change who we are, our identity, what we say.

“Racism exists everywhere, even at LVC,” Brim added. We have to acknowledge this. We can’t be naïve, ignorant, or delusional. We’ve taken strides but have so far to go. We have to break down the façade and effect change that improves the lives of Black people around the world one year, five years, and ten years from now.”

Paraphrasing another student panelist, Hadassah Polydore ’22, the LVC community needs to listen, hear, and act to make LVC, and America, better. Change starts at home, and we need to move these actions forward. We need to hire more diverse faculty and staff. We need to improve retention and graduation rates for students of color.

“The students expressed a level of frustration and honesty that exists that we can’t ignore,” said Williams. “Our students have demanded that much—especially our students of color and some of our other students. There’s been an acknowledgment that we can be doing more as an institution and LVC has had open ears to hear those critiques.”

The path to achieving true inclusiveness is long and difficult, but LVC is making strides. Here are some of the ways we’re doing so and some of the ways you can help.

—Dr. Tom Hanrahan, editor

PASS IT ON— THE MOSAIC MENTORS PROGRAM

Allison Liu ’21

The College’s Mosaic Mentors Program provides peer support to incoming Asian, Latinx, African-American, Native American, international, and LGBTQ+ identifying students, and those involved in the Multicultural Fellowship and Lebanon ValleyEducational Partnership. Past mentors say the experience was instrumental in their growth as people dedicated to inclusion and social justice.

“Racism persists in part because well-meaning people choose to stay silent for fear of backlash from those judging their words or actions to be racist,” said Allison Liu ’21. “I’ve been both that well-meaning silent person and that angry judge at various points in my life, and I recognize the cycle of shame and hate being perpetuated by these two versions of myself.So, I’m focused on how I can feel less afraid of being wrong and less hurt by ignorance—I’m practicing being comfortable with being uncomfortable, humble, and vulnerable.”

An actuarial science and computer & data science double major, Liu knows that she’ll continue to advocate for justice after graduation. “All my decisions about how to live in this world are based on anti-racism work: with whom I choose to spend my time or spontaneously interact, where I occupy space, what I read or watch, or what products and services I spend my money on,” she said. “I see anti-racism work as a lifestyle made up of my deliberate, daily choices.”

Yeika Pizarro Rodriguez ’23

Yeika Pizarro Rodriguez ’23 majors in psychology and serves asa Mosaic Mentor. This year, she’s using her role as president of the Latin X Club to create more opportunities for open conversation. “After the Super Bowl last year, Latin X discussed the half-time show, which was controversial,” she said. “We talked about why people may have been bothered by the performance and why anything cultural can be so controversial. I’d like to see opportunities for people who disagree to hear each other’s points of view and maybe try to educate each other and learn something new. These conversations can accomplish a lot of good.”

Shami Beni ’21

Shami Beni ’21, a music and music education double major, felt he was in an ideal position to mentor incoming students of color. “Lots of black or Hispanic students come from majority-black or Hispanic communities,” he said. “Like them, I grew up in Philadelphia, where I saw a lot of people that look like me—but then in my junior year of high school, I moved to Enola, where I was one of the only Black guys. That taught me how to get through both worlds and that perspective has helped me connect with people who come from very different walks of life.

“The biggest thing people don’t realize is that even though you might be a minority, you may still need to educate yourself on the topic of racism,” added Beni, who is also a Mosaic Mentor. “White people shouldn’t be the only people educating themselves about racism. People of color should still educate ourselves so we can create a better world for our children and future generations.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: This year, Mosaic Mentors are paired with an alumnus of color. Interested? Contact Dr. Renata Williams at oia@lvc.edu.

Lucas Teshome ’23

CULTIVATING A CLIMATE FOR DISCUSSION

An exercise science major with a minor in social justice & civic engagement, Lucas Teshome ’23 discovered his passion for social justice in his First-Year Experience seminar, Race in the 21st Century, led by Dr. Cathy Romagnolo, professor of English.“She wasn’t afraid to bring up intense but heartbreaking topics,” he said. “She made it safe for us to discuss these things. Having that opportunity to gather my thoughts and understand my emotions helped me realize that social justice is something I’m passionate about.”

Teshome, who is African American, also found that his soccer teammates’ sense of brotherhood provided an opening for honest conversations about race. “I was able to help my teammates understand the significance and impact of the n-word in my community,”he said. “They were open to what I had to say, and they have a better understanding now. That was a great experience for us—talking about these things without hate or any aggression.

“I appreciated that experience with my teammates because moments like those are rare between black and white people and communities,” Teshome added. “If it wasn’t for our team culture and love for one another, this may not have occurred. It also showed me their willingness to learn and be better.”

Teshome added that he and Dan Haines, assistant men’s soccer coach, have regularly met to talk about race issues. “It’s humbling because we’re human enough to respect each other but take the initiative to have sometimes awkward conversations,” he said. “It shows that we want to be better people.”

Jonathan Walker-Vankuren

Jonathan Walker-Vankuren, assistant professor of voice and artist teacher of music theatre & studio voice, joined the LVC community this fall. “Something I’ve set as a precedent is to immerse my students in the music of people outside the standard musical canon,” he said. “My hope in offering an inclusive environment is that my students and their audiences will want to learn more about music by under-represented composers. I hope to open the eyes of students who might not understand, for example, where jazz music or salsa music comes from.”

Hector Diaz ’16 and Dr. Ivette Guzmán-Zavala

Dr. Ivette Guzmán-Zavala, professor of Spanish, believes that literature and art are especially effective at opening students to new perspectives. “I’m not convinced that I can make someone an anti-racist, but I can expose them to a viewpoint that questions the stereotyped and diminished view of others that racism promotes,” she said. “That way, they discover that racial difference is a cultural construct, an idea that can be torn apart. If anti-racist ideas can be then taken out of the classroom—for example, into a service or study-abroad experience—that’s even better because the student can then apply that knowledge to a real-life experience.

“Still, even after teaching at LVC for a dozen years, I am still often the only person of color in most of my classes,” Guzmán-Zavala added. “Even though LVC has moved toward recruiting a more diverse population of students, it has work to do to fulfill its commitment to inclusive excellence.”

Dr. Terrence Alladin

As a former New York State Trooper, executive director of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Gaming Oversight Committee, executive director of the Legislative Policy and Research Office, and former executive director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Dr. Terrence Alladin, assistant professor of criminal justice, brings in-the-field experience to discussions of race, power, and advocacy.

“Given my unique exposure from law enforcement and as an advocate for diverse communities, I am equipped to draw from these experiences to help enhance the LVC culture,” said Alladin. “My role as a professor allows me to bring forth those ideals, ultimately elevating the awareness and need to combat racism.

I feel obligated to ensure that the LVC community understands the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In my four years at LVC, there have been some idealistic aspirations and some concrete progress. However, while LVC has taken steps forward in evolving its position and impact on current social injustices, there is still more work to be done. The College is well equipped to make bold moves and should do so to take a stand and drive change. There is a need to invest more resources in a diversity office, hire more professors of color, and retain and elevate ethnic studies programs.

“I am hopeful when I see our students involved in the diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on campus. I’m also optimistic that our current leadership will keep their commitment to transforming LVC into a diverse community where racism on any level is not tolerated.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Know a high school student who wants to engage in crucial discussions and work toward justice? Refer them to the LVC Office of Admission. If they enroll at LVC, they’ll get a $1,000 Alumni Referral Scholarship.

Rachel Hadrick, Esq., ’06

SPARKING AWARENESS

Rachel Hadrick, Esq., ’06, credits Lebanon Valley with opening her eyes to areas of difference she’d never before experienced. “I’m biracial, so I was always very aware of race,” she said. “I also grew up in a very diverse environment, so coming to Lebanon Valley and being one of only a few people of color on campus really sparked something in me. It broadened my knowledge of other areas where I might not have been as knowledgeable—like the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, even religious diversity—and that propelled me to challenge my beliefs in other areas.”

Today Hadrick is an attorney with McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC in Harrisburg. She remains active on campus and has served on an alumni panel during the Symposium on Inclusive Excellence and, most recently, as an alumni mentor in the Mosaic Mentor Program.

“I’ve witnessed a lot of progress at LVC that I’m excited about,” Hadrick said. “I’m excited about the ways the faculty and staff have become more cognizant of issues of diversity and inclusion. I’ve seen a lot of changes as far as faculty recruitment. There are more students of color on campus, and they have access to great resources. I believe that as a country, we’re lagging, but I’ve seen significant change at LVC.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Participate in the College’s Annual Symposium on Inclusive Excellence as a facilitator, panelist, or guest speaker. Get in touch with Dr. Renata Williams at oia@lvc.edu or Jill Russell, director of global education, at global-education@lvc.edu.

Kayla Houser ’10

THE CENTRALITY OF HANDS-ON LEARNING, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE

Kayla Houser ’10 said she obtained a strong foundation and understanding of intersectionality,privilege, and oppression by the time she graduated from LVC. “In my firstjobs out of college, I could wrap my head around those concepts more than somefolks who’d been in the field for a long time,” she said.

She’s now a senior program associate at Impact Justice, where she works to end sexualabuse in prisons. She cites her vast and diverse hands-on experiences as a studentas keys to her preparation.

“Social change work was definitely something I was going to do by the time I graduated,” said Houser. “My professors created an environment for that to happen. The people set LVC apart. Many higher education institutions have similar programming, but LVC’s environment fostered me to be where I am today.”

Houser is glad LVC continues to instill a sense of social responsibility in its students. “I’m inspired by the alumni who graduated after me who have a similar drive and passion to ending social injustices,” she said. “Years after I’ve left LVC, I can identify with recent graduates and see our common thread. Some students and alumni were inspired by the same dedicated faculty and student groups that evolved since my time there.”

Christa Levko, Esq., ’12

A political science major at LVC, Christa Levko, Esq., ’12 was involved with Freedom Rings, which she credits with inspiring her to study politics and law. After graduating, she attended Hofstra Law School and later served as a legal fellow at the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia, where she provided legal services to low-income LGBTQ+ populations. Today she works as an employment litigation attorney in the Philadelphia office of Ruppert Manes Narahari, representing employees who are the victims of sexual harassment or discrimination.

“Seeing the younger generation so passionate and fired up for change is inspiring,” said Levko. “When I was at LVC, I had many discussions with other students and faculty about how to get more students involved and passionate. I’m sure there is still a similar struggle, but it appears that students can mobilize in numbers that I couldn’t have imagined when I was there.

“New generations of students are pushing for amazing progress and Lebanon Valley provides a great environment to discuss these issues—it’s a small-enough school that students can feel like their voice is heard if they’re ready to speak up,” she added.

Giovanna Ortiz Brackbill, J.D., ’16

Giovanna Ortiz Brackbill, J.D., ’16 majored in Spanish, global studies, and political science with a minor in law and society. She participated in LVC’s Social Justice Institute, served as a Resident Assistant, and received an Arnold Grant to complete an internship where she helped immigrants navigate expensive legal hurdles on the path to citizenship, safety, and reuniting with their families. “All these were ways that I used the resources available to me at LVC to combat discrimination or prejudice toward Latinx in the community,” she said.

Brackbill graduated from Penn State Dickinson Law last spring. While the bar exam was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has a temporary position at Pennsylvania Legal Aid. “At the Utility Law Project, I advocate on behalf of low-income consumers to address systemic racism in our utility systems and regulatory agencies, which contribute to the inequities associated with COVID-19 and economic recovery,” she said. “My educational experiences in LVC’s Humanities Department are directly related to the policy work I do to reduce these disproportionately negative impacts on people of color.”

Neal Rose ’17

While at LVC, Neal Rose ’17 triple-majored in global studies, Spanish, and criminal justice. He was also a Mosaic Mentor, president of Freedom Rings, a member of the activist group Forgotten Students United, and a mentor for the Summer Enrichment Program. He also helped establish the Stonewall House, a gathering place and on-campus residence for LGBTQ+ students. Today he works for the Department of State in Washington, D.C., as a foreign affairs officer for the Western Hemispheric Affairs Bureau. He is also a member of Gay and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies.

“I didn’t come to LVC with the idea of working toward diversity, equity, inclusion, or justice,” Rose said. “My passion for advocacy came after hearing the experiences of my classmates of color and LGBTQ+ identifying students at LVC. It was the injustices that they faced and that I later came across myself, that pushed us all to make LVC better for current and future students.”

Rose hopes students “continue to ‘fight the good fight’ and stand up for themselves and others, and refuse to let their voices be overshadowed,” he said. “Everyone deserves an inclusive and equitable learning environment.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Alumni and friends of LVC are invited to provide internships, job-shadowing experiences, or service opportunities for students interested in career paths related to equality and justice. Contact the Breen Center for Graduate success at 717-867-6560 or breencenter@lvc.edu to discuss your options.

Jacob Whitfield ’19

Thayne Fund for Experiential Education and Inclusive Excellence

The Thayne Fund for Experiential Education and Inclusive Excellence was established in honor of LVC’s 18th president, Lewis Thayne, and his wife, Dorry. Experiential learning is a hallmark of a Valley education, providing students with opportunities they never imagined, opening doors to a world of possibilities. Experiential education prepares students for world-readiness through study abroad, internships, independent and collaborative research opportunities, service-learning projects, clinical interactions, and leadership development.

Inclusive Excellence initiatives help create a safe and welcoming environment where all students thrive, encourage understanding across differences, and build awareness of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences different from our own. Through programs including speakers, inter-faith dialogue, student-led workshops, and immersive experiences, we support each other, learn from each other, and expand our world views.

This fall, Provost Monica Cowart, Ph.D., initiated the first round of Inclusive Excellence microgrants to take effect in spring or fall 2021. The microgrants will support the revision of existing courses, development of new courses, and/or the facilitation of student-faculty research that furthers the College’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence. Priority is given to innovative projects that:

• Include experiential learning opportunities,

• Help dismantle harmful “isms” (i.e., racism, heterosexism, classicism, sexism, ableism, etc.), and

• Promote LVC’s work toward becoming an anti-racist campus.

These microgrants represent another step toward LVC’s shared community commitment to upholding the four core principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and civility.

Visit here to contribute to the Thayne Fund. Your generosity supports an ever-expanding education at The Valley.

Please contact Jordan Evangelista, director of individual giving, at evangeli@lvc.edu or 717-867-6324 if you have any questions.

Evelyn Colón and Caitlin Dryden ’18

Ally-ship: Renewing the Commitment—Daily

Well-meaning straight, white, and/or cis-gendered peopleare sometimes perplexed about how best to stand insupport of those in their communities who are members ofoppressed or minority groups. Evelyn Colón, LVC advancementcoordinator, and Dr. Renata Williams, assistant deanfor engagement and inclusion and director of interculturalaffairs & inclusive programming, offer some suggestions:

“Being an ally means many different things,” said Colón.“Not everyone is comfortable attending a Black LivesMatter demonstration, and that’s okay. Being an ally could

be reaching out to your friends and colleagues of colorand asking, ‘How are you? What do you need?’—and thenactively listening and acting on what you’ve heard. It couldbe reading books about diversity and inclusion and recommendingthem to others. It could be actively putting yourselfin an uncomfortable situation, bringing an end to aninappropriate ‘joke’ or conversation, or being an ally whenno one is looking, especially when no one is looking. Thereis power in that. Being an ally looks different for everyone,but it is action. It’s being open to learning and being willingto self-reflect.”

“I have a white colleague who always says that she’s an aspiringally,” added Williams. “It’s like a library card that youhave to renew every day. What are you doing to engageyour ally-ship actively every day? What are you reading?What podcasts are you listening to? Where are your dollarsgoing? What are you doing to educate yourself insteadof relying on someone to educate you? And how are youputting that into practice?”

A video recording of “Listening to Black Voices” and anti-racism resources are available at www.lvc.edu/LVC4Change.