SGA CDAC Spring 2015 Inaugaral High School Summit Summary

Undergraduate Student Government Association CDAC: High School Summit Summary

Georgia Institute of Technology Undergraduate Student Government Association

Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee

The Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee (CDAC) of the Undergraduate Student Government Association is excited to update you on the successful completion of the Spring 2015 High School Summit. This report details the impact and shortcomings of the summit, along with recommendations from the Spring 2015 Co-chairs. You will find the report organized into sections based upon the content, logistics, audience, and administrative partners. CDAC Mission: CDAC stands as a committee of dreamers and doers who consistently strive to foster an inclusive intellectual environment by increasing Georgia Tech’s multicultural competence and appreciation for our diverse student body and cultural/diversity organizations. CDAC Vision: To be not just an advocate, but a defender of all students, and to aid in advancing a culture of Inclusive Excellence within the Georgia Tech Community.

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Index Intro and Background 3

Project Scope 4

Administrative and Community Partners 5

Notable Event Details 6

High Level Content Summary 7

Going Forward 11

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Co-Chairs CDAC Co-Chair (Fall 2014 - Spring 2015): W. R. Alex Berry Major: Industrial Engineering Year: 3rd CDAC Co-Chair (Spring 2015): Morgan Foreman Major: Psychology Year: 2rd CDAC Co-Chair (Fall 2014): Lisa White Major: Industrial Engineering and Psychology Year: 5th 2014-2015 Student Council Committee of the Year

Campus Affairs Board

Vice President of Campus Affairs (Student Body Pres.-Elect): Jennifer Abrams

Words From Jen:

One of my biggest goals for this position was really to be a voice for the students into the ear of the administration. I wanted to connect the awesome campus leaders who are my committee chairs with those in administration who are making the decisions affecting the everyday student experience.This voice was heard in some of our biggest accomplishments last year.

Fall 2014 Projects

The Cultural and Diversity Affairs committee began the semester by facilitating a Cultural Roundtable discussion event in collaboration with the President’s Council Governing Board. This event included the top leaders of some of our most diverse student organizations on campus.

Spring 2015 Accomplishments

Cultural & Diversity Affairs widened their influence to surrounding colleges in hosting an Intercollegiate Diversity Roundtable including leadership from SGA’s from Agnes Scott, Emory, Georgia State, Georgia Perimeter College, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College to come and discuss issues and vision of diversity particular to each campus. This event began what has been a strong and steady relationship throughout the semester with the participating schools.

CDAC also hosted their Inaugural High School Summit bringing over 30 high school students to Georgia Tech to talk about diversity in their schools and how that will transition into their college careers

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High School Summit Background Statement of Purpose The purpose of this High School Summit with Atlanta Area Private and Public School Student Leaders was to engage students through discussions and activities about diversity beyond the scope of high school that will foreshadow the college leadership and social experiences. In addition, the event aims to provide students with an experience that they can apply at their respective high schools for student progress and inspire them in their individual pursuit of finding their passion. Scope The target audience for this project included Student Leaders in the public, charter, and private Metro Atlanta High Schools in grade levels freshman through senior. The hope was to allow these students to gain a sense of the diversity of their peers in the metro Atlanta area. Over 50 High Schools within a 30 mile radius of Georgia Tech were invited to apply to the High School Summit. Student attendees came into contact with the future student leaders of their generation as well as current college students. They begun to explore who they are as individuals in a changing, dynamic world. This event focused on three pillars of growth: Leadership, Personal Transition, and Team Building.

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Administrative and Community Partners

Admissions: Valerie Mack, Associate Director

Provided APS School Contacts through Counselors, and APS Scholars Donated 45 Admission Pamphlets

Auxiliary Services: Rich Steele, Senior Director

Supported with $1000 for catering services from Highland Bakery Used to fund a working Diversity Training Lunch

Community and Local Government Relations: Chris Burke, Director of Community Relations

Provided Logistical Support Facilitated Contact with Brian Srikanchana and Work Ready Grad

Dean of Students: Stephanie Ray, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Diversity Programs

Provided content for Diversity Training and Inclusive Leader Luncheon Represented the Office of the Dean of Students

Office of Institute Diversity: Dr. Archie Ervin, Vice President of Institute Diversity

Provided financial support to secure Student Success Center Provided insight towards how the Summit aligns with Georgia Tech’s Strategic Plan Provided 10 Parking Passes, 45 Diversity Folders, and Materials for Certificates

Najah Hofman, Event and Marketing Coordinator

Assisted with design of Student Achievement Certificates Undergraduate Student Government Association:

Funded a Stipend for Photographers

Community Partners:

Brian Srikanchana, Work Ready Grad Presented Startup at Summit Assisted with Structure of Content and Leadership Challenges

Rick Holifield, Director of Diversity Pace Academy

Provided Content Support on High School Level Main Private High School Contact

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Notable Event Details Budget:

Total: $1300 $1000 Food $180 Building Reservation $40 stipend for Photographers $80 Certificates

Planning Timeline:

1 Month before: Sent event proposal to Administrative Partners

3 weeks before: Initial list of high schools contacted

2 weeks before: Reserved Student Success Center Increased contacted schools and organizations Secured funding for food Crafted structure for content

1 week before: Met with Dean Stephanie Ray and Rick Holifield to create high level content Finalized logistics Secured volunteers

Registration:

At close of Registration, 46 Student Leaders were registered with more inquiring about applying

15 Freshman, 14 Sophmore, 8 Juniors, and 9 Seniors 15 Private School Students, 18 Public School Students, 8 Charter School Students

Wait List was created This list comprised of students from 22 High Schools at either the public, private, or

charter level Many students were members of Jack and Jill of America 3 Future Yellow Jackets Class of 2019 Contacted by the Director of Foster Care Services to do a similar Event

Day Of:

32 students in attendance; 12 volunteers: three photographers Appearances by Student Body President Elect Jennifer Abrams and Dean Stephanie Ray

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Content Summary Introduction, Ground Rules, and Icebreaker:

Laid the groundwork for positive communication Created a safespace environment for sensitive topics Icebreaker used: The Handshake Game

Personal Transition with Brian Srikanchana:

Transitioning your mindset from High School to College Presentation about the Work Ready Grad Platform College and Career preparedness and resume building Insights about Entrepreneurship Student Success Stories: Presented Stories from College Students

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What’s Your Story? From Work Ready Grad to Real Life

Eight TechExpert topics: College Jobs/ Summer Internships/Coop, Community Service, Leadership, Research, Diversity/ Finding Passions, Social Life Balance, Mentorship and Self Reflection

One college student stood at each topic and shared their experience in the field An open dialogue was created to get students thinking about what they are passionate about and

how they can pursue these passions Considered one of the Student Leader’s favorite parts of the day

Working Lunch: Diversity Training and Inclusive Leadership

Discussed Dimensions of Diversity Laid the groundwork for inclusive communication Brainstormed how to celebrate a community Created a safespace environment for sensitive topics

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Teambuilding Activity

Met Challenge Team Members Teams worked together to create the item or scenario given

Make a GT, Make a Tea Party Scene, Reenact a playground memory, Make a team name

Teams had to describe their scenario and the thought process behind it to the facilitators Leadership Challenges

Made 8 teams of 56 with no overlaps in Schools Each team was given one of four challenges that came from one of the students responses

to “What is one social justice/diversity issue in your school?” and a researched facts related to this issue

Each team was asked to come up with a solution (social media campaign, task force, policy change) to their presented issue

One underclassmen in each team ran between the two teams working on the same prompt to obtain and exchange ideas

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Beachball Activity: Debrief

Challenge groups that had similar topics were merged into two big groups College students led facilitated discussion on results from Challenges Student Leaders were given the opportunity to ask questions and debrief about the day

Conclusion

Group Photo Each student was given a Certificate signed by cochairs and Dr. Archie Ervin, Vice

President of Institute Diversity Takeaway bags including tshirts, admissions and summer camp information, cups, and

Tech Traditions

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Moving Forward Send survey to student participants to capture feedback and impact Build a sustainable structure to allow for continued scaling and repeatability Expanding the Summit to include more students and greater reach into High Schools Shift High School Summit to a Fall event Solidify administrative contacts and a budget Discuss partnering with another student organization Reproducing a similar structure inside High Schools and Community Organizations

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Documents

SGA CDAC Spring 2015 Inaugaral High School Summit Summary