Internship

Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice

Multicultural Student Center For Equity and Justice

Mission:
To promote an equitable and socially just campus for students through community building, campus advocacy, education, and programming.

Vision:
Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice seeks to build programs and services that foster inclusion, equity, and social justice for the campus community.

Core Values:
Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice strives for cross-cultural understanding and an enriched community.

Internship Site Supervisor

Brandi Scott, Ph.D.

Director of Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice

Area of Interests

Multicultural Programs, LGBTQ+ Ally, Dreamers, Training and Development

Email

brandi.scott@utsa.edu

Internship Tasks

Comprehensive Engagement with Learning Materials

To ensure a profound understanding of the subject matter, it is expected that one thoroughly absorbs the assigned reading materials and video content. Additionally, there is encouragement for the preparation of insightful questions and observations, fostering a deep and nuanced exploration of the material, particularly during one-on-one sessions.

Immersive Participation in Microaggression Workshops

Individuals are encouraged to actively shadow one or two microaggression workshops, aiming to gain a holistic perspective on content, facilitation techniques, and participant dynamics. Moreover, it is recommended to actively engage in discussions during these workshops, showcasing an awareness of microaggression nuances and contributing to an inclusive and respectful atmosphere.

Collaborative Facilitation of Microaggression Workshop:

An opportunity exists to co-facilitate a microaggression workshop, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating mastery of the subject matter and adopting a collaborative approach to create a safe and engaging learning space. Furthermore, active involvement in guiding discussions, addressing participant queries, and leveraging diverse perspectives to enrich the overall workshop experience is strongly encouraged.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Objective 1: Develop Proficiency in Microaggression Awareness Training

Gain a comprehensive understanding of microaggressions, including their definitions, types, and impact on individuals and communities.
Acquire the skills to identify and recognize microaggressions in various contexts, such as educational, workplace, and social settings.
Demonstrate the ability to design and deliver effective microaggressions awareness training programs tailored to the needs and cultural nuances of the Hispanic-serving institution's student population.

Sample training video to prepare me to co-facilitate Microaggression Training

Objective 2: Promote Inclusivity and Cultural Sensitivity

Enhance cultural competence by exploring the unique cultural backgrounds and experiences of our diverse student population.
Create an inclusive environment on campus to promote equity and inclusion.
Collaborate with diverse student groups, faculty, and staff to foster a more inclusive campus culture, encouraging open dialogue and mutual understanding.

Picture from Spring 2023 Graduation Reception.

Objective 3: Increase Leadership and Adaptability Skills

Identify areas of improvement and refine training materials and methods based on feedback and assessment results.
Demonstrate leadership skills by taking the initiative to adapt and evolve training programs to meet the evolving needs of UTSA.
Collaborate with stakeholders to effectively communicate and implement changes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness to the community's needs.

Microaggression Training PowerPoint with my included suggestions and edits.

Reflection

My time at the Multicultural Student Center for Equity and Justice (MSCEJ) at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) was an incredibly positive experience. The collaborative atmosphere at MSCEJ offered a diverse range of perspectives from the entire team, fostering a culture of mutual support that allowed me to successfully achieve all my objectives.

During this internship, I developed a heightened awareness and gained a deep understanding of microaggressions, which allowed me to develop the ability to identify many microaggressions in various contexts. I believe that the best way to learn is to teach, so I took pride in applying my knowledge by co-facilitating the "Understanding and Challenging Microaggressions" training alongside Dr. Scott. This training, presented to faculty and staff at UTSA, allowed me to bring my voice and diverse perspective to a broader audience. This internship has enriched my vocabulary and has enhanced my capacity to recognize and effectively teach others about the harm of microaggressions in diverse settings.

The skills I have been given during my internship and the heightened awareness of microaggressions and other forms of discrimination will undoubtedly contribute to my ability to create a safe and inclusive environment for the diverse students, faculty, staff, and administration that I am dedicated to serving. Equipped with numerous tools to identify and recognize microaggressions, teach cultural competencies effectively, and advocate for equity and inclusion, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact at any higher education institution. Additionally, I have learned that this topic is something that will continue to evolve and change. I am committed to ongoing growth, learning, and adaptation along with it.

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