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We invite you to join us and help spread the word about SOLES Virtual Open House Week March 15 - 18 where we will host virtual live program specific Q&As. Each program’s live Q&A session will allow you to meet with a SOLES Admissions Adviser and current students so you can learn more about the individual programs. Our sessions will empower you to select the best program path to transform yourself professionally and personally. RSVP: Link in Bio!
SOLES Celebrates Black History Month: Student Spotlight with Marvens Pierre What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition? I hope during this month people recognize the amount of work that is still left to do that exists beyond just celebrating one month for Black history. We need to actively still uphold anti-racist practices, unlearn anti-Black ideals, and challenge white supremacy beyond performative means.
In observance of Black History Month, Dr. Rod Smith shares his perspective on the importance of celebrating the Black community. Dr. Smith graduated with his PhD in Leadership Studies in 2017. He is an Assistant Professor of Leadership at the United States Air Force Academy. Why do you feel it's important to recognize Black History Month? Aside from acknowledging and at times recovering accounts of our nation's history, I feel Black History Month is important to recognize as it creates a space for people of all colors and creeds to connect with the many legacies of soulful love, truth to power, and justice in the form of respect for human dignity. What does Black History Month mean to you? To me, Black History Month means a time to reflect, celebrate, and assess how I live up to the legacies of those who came before. It's a soulful time of year to reconnect with ancestral themes, old spiritual songs, and to the idea my life journey is part of a much larger narrative. As I think about my family and dearest friends, Black History Month is a time to reflect upon how I am helping to "Lift every voice and sing, 'til Earth and Heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty". What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition? My hope is that communities have a moment to consider and articulate their next courageous steps to observe with love and act in power for a justice that acknowledges everyone's claim to be. My hope is that communities work towards clear goals of inclusion, diversity, and equity for all. Anything else you would like to add? I am deeply grateful for the professors and colleagues I got to meet during my time at SOLES. The many explorations of the themes of solidarity and being a changemaker have profoundly impacted my worldview. I am glad to be doing what I do (developing inclusive leaders of character) with what I have learned at USD. Go Toreros! Shine on! Link in bio for full interview!
SOLES Celebrates Black History Month: Alumnus Spotlight with Warren Whitaker Sr. '18 (PhD) In observance of Black History Month, Dr. Warren Whitaker Sr. shares his perspective on the importance of celebrating the Black community. Dr. Whitaker graduated with his PhD in Leadership Studies in 2018. He recently started a position as Associate Professor of Education at Molloy College. Which historical Black figure is most inspiring to you? The esteemed abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Harriet's determination and unapologetic attitude to bring Black people to places where they would have greater liberties is unfathomable. Being a Black disabled female, Harriet was determined to navigate racial, sexist, and ableist oppressive systems and people while risking her life for the opportunity to provide liberation for other enslaved Black people. She displayed powerful leadership through her strategic navigation using the Underground Railroad to transition the enslaved to liberties in the northern states. Her brilliance was also seen in her serving in the military as spy and leading an expedition that freed hundreds of enslaved Black people. I admire her faith and dedication to achieve any goal she set by any means necessary. Harriet is a powerful, historical Black pioneer that should be revered by Black people and non-black people! Harriet is the epitome of leadership, resilience, perseverance, faith, etc. It is hard to put into words what Harriet Tubman means to me. Link in bio for full interview!
SOLES Celebrates Black History Month: Spotlight with Dean Joi Spencer Why do you feel it's important to recognize Black History Month? When we operate from the truth, we are able to see with greater clarity and enact greater levels of justice in the world. Black history is the truth of the United States and the Americas. Understanding it allows us to shatter the mythologies- such as manifest destiny and meritocracy- that pervade our collective imaginations and ultimately that oppress us. When we all learn Black history, we understand what society is capable of if it does not keep watch and when it allows its stated ideals to stand in direct opposition to its practices. When we study it, we buttress ourselves against fallacies. With careful study we can avoid committing the atrocities of the past. But it has to be studied and I am afraid that Black history is still not read and studied and understood well enough. What does Black History Month mean to you? The month is a wonderful opportunity for me to dig in and learn more about the history and legacy of African Americans. This month I am reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead and The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward Baptist. Black history month is a time to remember the very real sacrifices of my ancestors and to honor them by learning more about them and committing myself to the work of social justice. Which historical Black figure is most inspiring to you? I have always resisted the urge to focus on heroic figures. The collective work, ingenuity and sacrifice of Black people is what inspires me. The very hard decisions that Black Americans (like my grandparents and parents) have had to make while keeping their heads up and keeping smiles on their faces humbles me. Being able to structure my day as I like, read what I want to read and walk where I want to walk (for the most part) are freedoms that my ancestors' sacrifices secured for me. They are all heroes in my book! Full Spotlight Link in Bio! #blackhistorymonth #usdsoles
SOLES 4th Annual Diversity, Inclusion, Social Justice Excellence Showcase As part of the University of San Diego's Research Week, SOLES is hosting the 4th annual Diversity, Inclusion, & Social Justice Excellence (DISJ) Showcase virtually on April 14, 2021! To Participate: If you are interested in participating in SOLES’ DISJ Showcase, please submit your research topic via the link in our bio as well as any additional information that would help us better understand what you plan to present by the deadline of March 31, 2021. To Attend: Interested in seeing all of the hard work that SOLES’ is doing? Visit the link in our bio RSVP via Eventbrite
SOLES Celebrates Black History Month: Student Spotlight with Samantha Jenkins Why do you feel it's important to recognize Black History Month? I believe that black history month is important because is the black community's opportunity to inform America that our history is their history and vice versa. It creates opportunity for starting dialogues they can be continued throughout the course of the year. What does Black History Month mean to you? Black history month means that America still has so much to do in addressing the fact that the history of its different peoples seems to only get recognized and honored one month out of every year, while mainstream history is appreciated 365 days a year. Which historical Black figure is most inspiring to you? Amongst the most inspiring figures in black history, I look to people like Shirley Chisholm, Ida B. Wells, Pauli Murray, Septima Clark, and Bell Hooks. What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition? During this month I hope to share the stories of lesser known yet extremely important members of the diaspora whose contributions have been overlooked by history.
SOLES Celebrates Black History Month: Student Spotlight with Jamal Oakes Why do you feel it's important to recognize Black History Month? This is the time to recognize all the achievements that Black people have made throughout history and how they persevered under pressure and broke boundaries that were set to hold them back. Black History Month should be important to everyone because it is American history. What does Black History Month mean to you? To me, Black History Month is inspiring. It pushes me to keep working hard and striving to do more. When I was a kid in elementary school, the only two people I would learn about were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X, and for middle school Rosa Parks was added to that list. However when I got to high school and college, I wanted to know more about the leaders and pioneers in Black history that made so much change. So I would research random historical figures and take classes on African American history and that made a significant impact on who I am as a person. Which historical Black figure is most inspiring to you? Muhammad Ali. He stood tall for his principles and stayed true to himself and for that he inspires me to do the same. Standing up for yourself and beliefs in the face of judgement and criticism this is why Muhammad Ali is an inspiring figure to me. What do you hope is accomplished during the month of celebration and recognition? During this time, I hope that everyone takes the time to read and learn about other figures in Black history that might be lesser known than the group I mentioned earlier, such as Ida B. Wells, Mary Ellen Pleasant, or Sister Rosetta Tharpe. During this time, whoever is reading this I challenge you to research a Black historical figure and look at the challenges that they may have faced and self reflect on how you feel about it. I guarantee you will definitely learn something about that person or yourself. For the full interview, visit: https://www.sandiego.edu/news/soles/detail.php?_focus=80180
SOLES Anti-Racism Events for Spring 2021
Attention students! The deadline to apply for the the USD Alumni Association scholarships is quickly approaching! Be sure to apply before the deadline on this upcoming Monday, February 22! APPLY NOW: http://bit.ly/USDalumnischolarships