GSU STUDENTS, FACULTY ATTEND LET US DREAM CONFERENCE IN INDIA

A team of Grambling State University faculty and five students spent Nov. 3-5 at Christ (Deemed to be University) in Bangalore, India, to participate in the 2023 Triennial International Let Us Dream Conference.

The annual conferences provide opportunities to engage in active conversations concerning community improvement-based research, experience, and best practices in education, health and social activism.

With more than 50 speakers, more than 15 universities and more than 50 community service organizations on hand, the Let Us Dream 2023 conference provided a wealth of knowledge and community engagement.

Grambling State University made history as the only historically black college or university (HBCU) to be represented at the conference with President Rick Gallot, Jr. virtually serving as the keynote speaker on Day 2.

GSU’s student delegation consisted of Tiara Freeman, Jakyrannee Phillips, Mysty Henry (graduate students in Mass Communication and Education), Isaiah Farrell and Terrence Robinson (Call Me

MiSTERs and undergraduate education majors).

Faculty representing GSU at the conference included Dr. Suzanne Mayo-Theus, Dr. George Noflin, Dr. Aaron Livingston, and Dr. Coleen Speed.

Upon arrival at Christ University and throughout the conference, Let Us Dream ambassadors provided great hospitality to Grambling’s students and faculty, and after a good night’s rest, the event commenced as GSU led the Student Workshop with all five students speaking about topics related to their academic majors in the United States, attending an HBCU and life experiences in the South.

Freeman and Phillips, both second year Mass Communication Graduate Students, spoke about the Media In the U.S. and empowering future leaders for tomorrow. In addition to their speeches, the GSU duo also encouraged Christ students to apply to Grambling State University’s Mass Communication program, which has four-year partial scholarships available for international students.

Henry, a graduate student in Education at GSU, delivered a speech titled “Helping Children Thrive Today.” With 25 years of experience in education, Henry was able to enrich the students in attendance with knowledge and tactics she uses for her own students’ growth.

Farrell and Robinson spoke about Grambling State’s Call Me MiSTER program and why African American males are needed in the educational system. The Call Me MiSTER program provides scholarships for African American male students who seek careers in education.

Through this workshop, Grambling’s students were able to inspire the minds of Christ students and showcase the educational and cultural opportunities GSU has to offer.

Grambling’s faculty also stormed the conference with numerous panels and speeches given throughout the three day conference.

Dr. Mayo-Theus, a lecturer in GSU’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, spoke about diversity, equity and inclusion with an emphasis on disability and educated the global panel audience on HBCU history.