Mary Kate Andris, Ed.D.’s Post

Publication Highlight: FIU Professor Dr. Alexander Kroll recently published an article in The American Review of Public Administration entitled Mitigating Neighborhood Stigma: Examining Strategies of Relating and Reframing. Abstract In line with social construction scholarship, the stigmatization of neighborhoods has been used to justify or advocate for gentrification and development efforts that often displace marginalized populations. Challenging stigma in public discourse can help level the playing field in support of community interests. This study examines two strategies to mitigate neighborhood stigma: create opportunities for people to personally relate to a place and engage them in the positive reframing of extant narratives. It is based on a preregistered between-groups survey experiment in which 498 local college students rated the appeal of two Black, historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Miami: Overtown and Liberty City. It finds that ratings of Overtown are significantly lower when its name is disclosed, indicating the presence of stigma. “Relating” improves ratings of Liberty City, however, only among Black students, not white or Hispanic students. “Reframing” improves ratings only if students buy into the more positive frame. To read the full article from Dr. Kroll, please visit the PPA News and Events Page at https://lnkd.in/g3GES4m2 #PAWSUP #FIU #americanreviewofpublicadministration #publicadministration #localandurbanpublicadministration #governance #gender #minority #genderandminorityissues #econonomicandcommunitydevelopment #neighborhoodstigma #stigma #reframing #miami #overtown #libertycity Florida International University FIU Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs FIU Public Policy and Administration FIU Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership FIU Jack D Gordon Institute for Public Policy ASPA South Florida Chapter Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Miami-Dade County City of Miami University Graduate School at FIU

Today we recognize Juneteenth, a day when the last enslaved people in the United States, in Galveston, Texas, were proclaimed free on June 19, 1865. This day of jubilation and liberation marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s fight for freedom and equality. While we take a moment to reflect on how far the nation has come, we must also acknowledge how much further there is to go. In #highereducation, we have a responsibility to recognize and confront the injustices that stem from the painful history of inequality in our nation. Thank you for taking on the challenge to work together to confront these systemic inequities and empower today’s students and future generations to effect change that builds a more just and inclusive society. By doing so, we foster inclusive environments where every member feels valued, respected, and empowered. We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their backgrounds. And we lift up the voices of those around us and make sure they are heard. Connecticut State Colleges & Universities #students come from every corner of our state and our largest cities and towns. They proudly represent every one of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities, and I thank all of our #faculty, #staff, and administrators for standing by and exercising our system-wide values of inclusivity. I deeply appreciate the work you all do to make sure our students receive everything they need and deserve inside and outside the classroom. Today, and every day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building partnerships and fostering collaborations that continue to drive our #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion efforts forward. #juneteenth #connecticut #highereducationleadership

A recent article states that The University of South Carolina has replaced "diversity, equity, and inclusion" in the title of one of its VP roles with "access, civil rights, and community engagement." Similarly, the office where the VP sits is also now called the "Division of Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement." This change is apparently in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on race-conscious decisions in college admissions. The work, nonetheless, must go on. #DEI #rebranded #messagingmatters #diversity #equity #inclusion #equalprotection https://lnkd.in/dZ78KNFX

🌟 Shining a Light on Historic Educational Cases and the Power of Youth Advocacy 🌟 This past week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Saddlemire Lecture at BGSU, where Dr. John Lowery shared invaluable insights into historic educational cases. His words resonated deeply with me as they shed light on the ongoing struggles of marginalized students for their rights. One particularly striking example Dr. Lowery discussed was the Greensboro sit-ins at North Carolina A&T, where freshman students sparked a movement that quickly gained momentum. By the end of the week, hundreds of students had joined the cause. Reflecting on this, I couldn't help but be inspired by the courage and determination of these young people, who refused to accept injustice and took a stand for equality. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that young voices have the ability to effect real change. Despite facing obstacles and adversity, these students refused to be silenced, demonstrating the profound impact that collective action can have on society. As we reflect on these historic events, it's crucial for us to recognize the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and standing in solidarity with those who continue to fight for their rights. The struggles of the past have paved the way for progress, but our work is far from over. To all the young people out there, I want you to know that your voice matters. You have the power to challenge the status quo and shape a better future for generations to come. Let's continue to raise our voices, advocate for justice, and work towards a more inclusive society where everyone's rights are respected and upheld. #YouthAdvocacy #Equality #SocialJustice #HistoricCases #SaddlemireLecture #BGSU

One comment under this post on IG is what are they so afraid of? The radicalized right comes across as strong but this is fear and it is seeping into mainstream consciousness. They do not want an educated population and they are doing that by systematically trying to unravel everything that came out of the Civil Rights Movement and Human Rights movements. Diversity Equity and Inclusion is human rights not corporate programming. Equity Deserving means just that. Deserving of Equity. Equity Denied means just that. Denied Equity. We didn’t stand for it then and we shouldn’t stand for it now. What did women fight for? What did Black peoples fight for? What did 2SLGBTQIA+ people fight for? What did disabled people fight for? What did Indigenous peoples fight for? What did immigrants fight for? What were they unalived for? Why did they put themselves in harms way to be hosed down, tear gassed, trafficked, beaten, indentured, enslaved, assaulted, maimed, spat on, called names, signs saying where they could and could not go? They could not read, they could not get an education? What was it all for? What “progress” have we made? Where are all the allies? The question is not what are they afraid of. That’s obvious. The question is what are we afraid of?

George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon writes about diversity and inclusion in Canada, after the SCOTUS decision striking down affirmative action in the United States, in the August 5 edition of the Toronto Star.    "At George Brown College and other higher education institutions, we know that creating and maintaining a racially diverse student body makes for a richer teaching and learning environment, and therefore a better quality of education. We know that addressing historic inequities for Indigenous and racialized communities is fundamentally the right thing to do. We know that the best way to prepare our students for life in an increasingly diverse society is to do all that we can to foster that diversity within our own college. A diversity of backgrounds, identities and outlooks -- which must include those of students with lived experiences based on their social location as a racialized person -- increases overall academic excellence." Said President Fearon.   Continue reading the full article to discover what it means for Canadian colleges and universities. https://bit.ly/3rZPO1c

Challenges in DEI Today As seen in Hunt Scanlon Media's recently released 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, #DEI has become a cornerstone of the business world over the past decade. What began as a simple, nebulous idea that ‘#diversity’ was a good thing has evolved into a complex and ongoing conversation about who has power, whose voices are heard, and how systems can improve to include more and more different perspectives. Even as many companies and individuals invest more and see the significance of DEI, there has been some pushback from certain sectors and even from the Supreme Court. In June 2023, SCOTUS struck down the use of race-based affirmative action in college admissions in a six-to-three decision along ideological lines. While this ruling is limited to college admissions, it has caused some consternation among DEI professionals who are concerned it could lay the groundwork for similar efforts in the #workforce. To read more, and download the full report, please visit: https://lnkd.in/einkZSTT

This is unconscionable pure and simple.

THIS!! "A truly democratic education must not be ideologically neutral; rather, it must ardently pursue the preparation of students for engaged citizenship in an ostensibly democratic society...The first step on that road, however, is to make equity and justice the yardstick by which leaders measure progress instead of merely diversity and inclusion." #equity #justice #democraticeducation #society #engagedcitizenship

As we embrace the promise of a new year, I want to shed light on the challenges that some in our community face, particularly our Latino children. One of the most significant concerns is last year’s US Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action at Harvard and UNC. Justice Sotomayor in her dissent describes its impact: “The court subverts the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by further entrenching racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society.” Affirmative action has been a crucial tool in promoting diversity and ensuring that opportunities are not disproportionately skewed against minorities. Its removal jeopardizes the very essence of equal access to education. But let's also view this through the lens of our nation's future. According to the 2020 census, approximately 26% of children are Hispanic. The decisions we make today shape the trajectory of their futures and, by extension, the future of our country. We owe it to these young minds to provide the resources that propel our nation forward, carrying forth the legacy of fighting for the American dream—a dream that should be within reach for all. The call to action is clear: advocate for education access, challenge decisions that hinder diversity, and champion a future where every aspiring mind has the tools to contribute to the success of our nation. #AmericanDream #EmpowerLatinos #LatinosAreTheFuture