Unity Newsletter Nov. 26

Multicultural Student Affairs

Unity Newsletter Diversifying the “U”

Senior Mwambo Stoles Class of 2012

Finals Fiesta: Winter Wonderland November 30th

The time has come to celebrate your graduation. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs has Kente Stoles for the graduating Class of 2012. If you would like a stole, please make sure to stop by the MSA office located in Building 21-P. Stoles will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. For more information, contact MSA at 305-284-2855.

Tired from a long semester of classes? If so, Multicultural Student Affairs, Canes Night Live, and Hurricane Productions are collaborating to bring you a evening full of events! Join us on November 30th for Winter Wonderland at 6:00PM. MSA will host 2 hours of food, games, entertainment, prizes, and fun. At 8:00PM, Canes Night Live and Hurricane Productions will have an ice skating rink, a movie, and a snow ball fight! Make sure you come out and celebrate the end of the semester with us!

All students are invited to attend. For more information, contact Multicultural Student Affairs at 305-284-2855.

Save the Date: Senior Mwambo 2013

Woodson Williams Marshall Association & UM Black Alumni Society Scholarship Over 20,000 awarded last year The Woodson Williams Marshall Association (WWMA) and UM Black Alumni Society Scholarship provides need based financial support and recognize the academic and leadership accomplishments of current UM students. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on the following criteria: •Financial Need •Academic Achievement •Work/Community Service Experience •Organization/Leadership Experience •Essay •Letter of Recommendation

For additional information and an application, contact the Multicultural Student Affairs at 305-284-2855.

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The Senior Mwambo is an African rite of passage ceremony that marks the transition of black graduates from their lives at the University of Miami to advanced education and professional careers. This ceremony was established in 1992 through the vision and love of a very dynamic and caring international student from Malawi, East Africa; Mr. Patrick A. Masala. The term “Mwambo” literally means ceremonial rite of passage.

It is Chichewa and comes to us from Malawi, East Africa where it was founded. The Senior Mwambo is an African rite of passage ceremony designed to recognize the accomplishments of our black graduates and their families. It is a celebration of the transition from one stage of life to the next. This year’s ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 2:00PM in Gusman Hall. Students please be sure to inform your family members so they can attend the celebration. For additional information regarding Senior Mwambo, please contact the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at 305-284-2855.

What’s Going On! For more information on MSA: Website:

Follow us on Twitter: Like Us on Facebook:

www.miami.edu/msa @UM_MSA facebook.com/msa.diversity

Holiday Hope Tree Holiday Hope Tree is UM’s longest running toy drive. This year we are collecting hundreds of toys for agencies like Salvation Army, Care Resource, Toy S.T.O.R.Y. Project, and Family Resource Center. But we cannot do it alone.

We would like to ask the UM community to please help out and donate to the children in need. We will be collecting toys until December 5th. Angel cards can be picked up at the UC Info desk. Toys should be new, unwrapped, and dropped off at the cart next to the UC Information desk. If you have any questions contact, holdiayhopetree@gmail.com. Share your UM and holiday sprit today!

Join A Week for Life in Celebrating World AIDS Day A week of events, November 26th November 29th, in recognition of World AIDS Day to commemorate those who have lost their life to HIV/AIDS and those who are fighting against the virus. Join us in a Candle Light Vigil with guest speaker and HIV survivor Maria Mejia, Crafts for Activism, Fundraiser for Empower U, Toy Drive for HIV+ children and families, and receive safer sex kits to keep you safe!

Pilates Session III Registration November 26 through November 30 Registration is now open for the fall semester’s third session of Pilates instruction. Pilates is one of the many community classes offered at the Herbert Wellness Center therefore you do not have to be a wellness member to sign up. A complete schedule is available online at www.miami.edu/wellness. For more information, please visit the Wellness Enrichment Suite or call 305-284-LIFE (5433).

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Dough, Dough, Dough Cooking Class Class is November 28th We’re not talking money here; we’re talking Pillsbury Dough Boy. This class, led by Chef Mercedes, features rustic savory galette, seasonal fruit tart, and homemade pizza. The cost of the class, which includes cooking instruction, food tasting, and recipes, is $20 for UM students and Wellness Center members; $25 for non-members. The class is Wednesday, November 28, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. To register, please call 305-284-LIFE (5433) or visit the Wellness Enrichment Suite located on the second floor of the Herbert Wellness Center. Don’t forget to bring a container for leftovers!

Toy Drive for HIV+ Children and Families Donate new, unwrapped, non-violent toys all ages for Care Resource’s Annual Toy Store, in which children of HIV+ families are able to pick one gift for Christmas, meet with Santa, and also receive pediatric consultation from the medical staff. Help make this Holiday a memorable one for families who otherwise will not be able to provide gifts to their children. Drop off all toys in the Office of Pre-Health, Cox 160, from November 26th - December 14th. For pick-ups or more information, email aweek4life@gmail. com.

Scholarships/Internships!

Have an event or interesting program you want to advertise to the university community? Submit your program to the Unity Newsletter. We welcome all submissions from any student organization, department, or office. Please visit www.miami.edu/msa and visit our publication page for more information.

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program Deadline: January 15

Boren Scholarship & African Languages Initiative Deadline January 14th

The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program is designed to address the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic faculty at colleges and universities in the State of Florida by increasing the pool of citizens qualified with Ph.D. degrees to teach at the college and university levels. Applicants must be African American or Hispanic, U.S. citizens, and hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Since this program is intended to increase enrollment in Ph.D. programs, currently enrolled doctoral students are not eligible to apply. For more information, visit www.fefonline.org/mdfapply.

The African Languages Initiative (AFLI) and the Boren Awards program offers students scholarship opportunities to study African languages and cultures by participating in domestic and overseas language programs in one of the following languages: Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu, Akan/Twi, Hausa, Wolof and Portuguese. Participants can will study the target language intensively at UF during summer 2013 and then travel to an African nation where the language is spoken to continue their language studies in the Fall 2013 semester.

Overseas destinations include Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa and Mozambique. For additional target regions and languages sponsored by the Boren program visit www.borenawards.org.

The Hollings Scholarship Program Deadline: January 31th This scholarship provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance for full time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10week, full-time internship position during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the Scholars with practical educational training experience in NOAA related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory Hollings Scholarship Program orientation, conferences, and a housing subsidy for the summer internship. For more information contact the Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships at prestigiousawards@ miami.edu.

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Summer Training in Academic Research and Scholarship (STARS) Program Deadline: January 23 Students are invited for 8 weeks to engage in basic, clinical, or translational research projects under the supervision of BWH faculty advisors.

At the end of the 8 weeks students will share their findings during a program ending research presentation day. As well as conducting research, students will also receive professional development training, meet faculty from across the hospital and medical school, and participate in social networking events. The BWH STARS Program will cover students’ travel costs to and from Boston, cost of housing, selected meals and activities, and a Research Trainee stipend. For more information, contact BWHSTARS@partners. org or call (617) 525-7646.

The MSA Connection: With Jeremy Bourgoin

Jeremy Bourgoin is the Assistant Area Director for Hecht Residential College and is originally from Nashville, Tennessee.

Jeremy received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

After finishing his Bachelors degree, Jeremy completed a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration at Vanderbilt University. His research interests include college transition programming, student involvement’s impact on retention, crisis response, and intervention on college campus. When Jeremy is not working, his hobbies include sports, going to the beach, and trying new restaurants in Miami.

When asked to give students a piece of advice, Jeremy stated “Involve yourself in as many student groups or leadership positions as possible on campus...the memories from those will define your college career as well as make you more well-rounded for any job you apply for!” His favorite quote by Bill Bradley is “Ambition is the path to success,persistence is the vehicle you drive in.” Jeremy’s office is located Hecht Residential College Main Lobby.

Upcoming Events

11/27 6:30PM FEC General Body Mtg. UC Ballroom D

11/28 6:00PM NABA General Body Mtg. Hecht Classroom 101

11/28 6:00PM MSA Unity Roundtable UC 237

11/28 8:00PM ALAS General Body Mtg. MM 117

11/29 6:30PM UBS Thumping Thursday UC Rock 11/30 6:00PM MSA Finals Fiesta UC Rock

12/4 6:00PM UBS Study Break Mahoney Classrooms

2/8 7:00PM BAM Gospel Explosion UC Rock

2/12 5:00PM MSA Student Success Series Mahoney Masters Apt.

2/12 7:30PM BAM Soul Food Night Campus Dinning Halls

2/20 7:30PM BAM Common Denominator Forum UC Ballrooms A&B Acronym Key

ALAS Alliance of Latin American Students

FEC Federación de Estudiantes Cubanos

NABA National Association of Black Accountants

BAM Black Awareness Month MSA Multicultural Student Affairs UBS United Black Students

For more information, please visit www.miami.edu/msa/calendar.

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The MSA Spotlight: Diversity Leadership Retreat The Diversity Leadership Retreat provided an opportunity for students to discuss diversity, leadership, social justice, and so much more. Participants were inspired and equipped with strategies for success, lessons on leadership, and practical skills that will be helpful in navigating our global society. The Diversity Leadership Retreat took place on November 10, 2012. For more information or to get involved please contact MSA at www.miami.edu/msa.

Committee members enjoying the keynote lunch

“The Diversity Leadership Retreat was an amazing experience. The main point that I took away from the retreat is that everyone needs to develop a voice “in the conversation” in order to engage the community. This in essence is the whole purpose of the Diversity Leadership Retreat.

When we develop our voice and step outside of our comfort zones, we expand our comfort zones allowing us to be better able to think, choose, and act accordingly to the issues occurring around us.”

- Ja’Shondra Pouncy “As a young black male in America, the Diversity Leadership Retreat gave me reassurance that I am able to be successful in a society that classifies me as a deviation from the norm. Also, no matter the racial or ethnic background, the retreat gave participants the core qualities and values of true leaders in a diversely nonintegrated nation.”

- Deandre Drummer

Keynote Speaker; Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington

Diversity Leadership Retreat participants

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“The Diversity Leadership Retreat was amazing! We were able to examine leadership through the lens of diversity and learned a lot of practical things we can do in the real world every day. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Jaime Washington was extremely engaging and enthusiastic. Something he said that really stuck out to me was, “A wishbone will never suffice where a backbone is required.” As young people who are considering issues like diversity in the real world, we are the beacons of change that we want to see in the world. Overall, it was an incredible and event and I thank all who attended.”

- Justin Borroto