Infusing Social Justice Themes in College Student Leadership Programs

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Infusing Social Justice Themes in College
Student Leadership Programs

• Vernon A. Wall
• Director of Educational Programs Publications
• ACPA College Student Educators International
• Founding Faculty
• Social Justice Training Institute
• vwall_at_acpa.nche.edu
• http//www.sjti.org
• http//www.myacpa.org

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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere.

• - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Flow

• Welcome
• Joining Up
• Defining Social Justice
• Leadership Programs Assessment
• Campus Strategies
• Discussion
• Closure/Evaluation

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Joining Up

• Introductions
• Whats your challenge?
• Define Social Justice?

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A Common Language
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Adams, Bell and Griffin (2007) define social
justice as both a process and a goal. "The goal
of social justice education is full and equal
participation of all groups in a society that is
mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social
justice includes a vision of society that is
equitable and all members are physically and
psychologically safe and secure."

• ReferenceTeaching for Diversity and Social
  Justice A Sourcebook. Edited by Maurianne Adams,
  Lee Anne Bell, and Pat Griffin.

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Defining Social Justice

• Race/Ethnicity/Nationality/Skin Color
• Religious Beliefs
• Socio-economic Class
• Sexual Orientation
• Sex/Gender Identity
• Age
• Ability/Disability
• Body Image
• Others

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The Dynamics of Diversity

• Individual Identity Group Membership
• Equal is not necessarily equitable.
• Dominant/Subordinated Group Identities
• Owning our dominance/Recognizing dynamics
• Helping dominant group members answer the
  question Whats in it for me?
• Multiple Identities
• You can make a difference!

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Leadership Program Assessment
Focus on either an individual Leadership program
or your entire leadership development initiative
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Campus Strategies

• Horizons Project
• 10 minute Mentors
• Correspondence with presenters/facilitators
• Training for student facilitators
• Statement on Inclusion/Social Justice
• Closing Statements/Making Meaning
• Journaling
• Dialogues (University of Michigan)
• Movies/TV/Video
• Current Events Discussions
• Service Learning (with discussion reflection!)
• Utilize community resources
• Experiential Exercises (Game of Life, Star Power,
  Archie Bunkers Neighborhood, Game of Oppression)

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Resources

• http//www.diversityweb.org
• National Clearinghouse on Leadership Programs
• http//www.safezonesforall.com
• http//www.sjti.org (click on Resources)
• Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS)
• Social Change Model of Leadership
• Leadership Identity Development Model - LID
  (Susan Komives Friends)
• Social Justice Allies Book (Jossey Bass)

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How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a
single moment before starting to improve the
world.

• - Anne Frank

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Vernon A. WallAuthor, Lecturer,
Consultantvernon.wall_at_gmail.comhttp//www.vernon
wall.org