STUDENTS [COMMUNITY ACTION AND SOCIAL CHANGE (CASC)] The CASC program is a multidisciplinary 16-credit minor, which allows undergraduates to choose courses from a wide range of electives, and provides a framework for understanding and promoting community action and social change. Since its founding in winter 2010, over 720 students from colleges and schools across U-M have completed the program, making it the second most popular minor on campus.
CASC STUDENT DANIEL LÓPEZ BUILDS CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SOCIAL JUSTICE, ADVOCACY AND CREATIVITY
D
aniel López graduated in August 2019 with a sociology major and a double minor in Community Action and Social Change (CASC) and Latina/o Studies. As an artist, a Latinx and someone who is undocumented, López is quite cognizant of his unique set of intersectional perspectives and experiences. He is a passionate researcher, maker and advocate who looks to create opportunities for inclusion. “I loved my experience in the CASC program. The first class I took was an amazing and welcoming environment,” he says. “I was able to open up about my various identities and about being undocumented. The respect I received from my peers was different: they were understanding.” The CASC program’s customizable approach allowed López to engage his artistic talents. He submitted a charcoal drawing of Cesar Chavez as a project for one class. In another, “Latina/o Theatre for Social Change,” he helped produce “Dear University of Michigan,” a play about the experiences of undocumented students. “I never thought I could actually take a theatre class that talks about social justice issues, but I did and I was able to advocate for my community and share about my experiences in a different way than I’ve done before.”
Lopéz leveraged the skills he learned through CASC and applied them to every facet of his college life. Inspired by the Raza Arts Media Collective—a 1970s-era U-M student Latino/a arts organization—López co-founded Latinidad Magazine, a print and digital magazine for the U-M Latinx community. In November 2018 they published their first issue, entitled “On the Border of Humanity.” Now a registered U-M student organization, Latinidad Magazine will continue to publish and bring people together to celebrate identity and creativity. “Our mission is to provide the Latinx community with a platform to share their artistic skills and for them to gain leadership experience,” he says. “I see this as a milestone in our community: Latinidad Magazine gives the Latinx community another social option outside of Greek life or La Casa.” In addition, López worked with SCOPE— the Student Community of Progressive Empowerment—a student organization for and by undocumented students that supports undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students at the University.
undocumented students and strengthened training so that staff is able to speak knowledgeably on the issues facing undocumented students. López specifically advocated to ensure that the challenges facing undocumented transfer students are addressed. “It is important that undocumented students and transfer students are included in conversations on how to make U-M a more inclusive college. My experience differed from someone who came here as a freshman and is not undocumented.” López has made an impact that extends beyond the School of Social Work. He’s created new artistic endeavors and advocated for improved services. In recognition, he was awarded a 2019 MLK Spirit Award, which honors undergraduate students who best exemplify the leadership and extraordinary vision of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “CASC has allowed me to connect my identities, my activism and my art. Through CASC, I was able to learn about social justice issues while using my art and creativity skills in different ways.”
SCOPE’s successes have been measurable and meaningful. U-M developed a new website for ONGOING · Fall 2019 · 27