Diversity in Higher Education

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, July 12, 2020 | E5 50th Anniversary ions, skill sets and visions are neces- sary to grow and excel at whatever one undertakes. “Oftentimes our limited experi- ences, due to our gender or our cul- ture, don’t allow us to imagine a bet- ter solution for resolving problems or creating ideas that can improve the lives of others,” Hickey said. From Ghana, Chemistry Profes- sor Dr. Alfred Addo-Mensah be- lieves his work of teaching and men- toring his students is significant and impactful. Aside from his work as a professor, he also helps children who struggle in math and science during summer camps. As a member of the science community, he believes that diversity allows for multiple per- spectives in problem solving, which is very important to science. Born in Bangladesh, TAMIU As- sociate Professor of Public Admin- istrations Dr. Mehnaaz Momen said that diversity, especially diversity of thoughts and opinions, is an essen- tial part of a university campus. And despite living in a country where ethnicities afford different privi- leges, a university is a space for all kinds of diversity that can be valued and appreciated. “I am Bengali. We celebrate the Bengali New Year with color and splendor. I always miss that celebra- tion, though I try to be in Austin where the Bengali community cel- ebrate Pohela Boishakh with a cul- tural program and a food feast,” Mo- men said. “I am also Muslim. This is the month of fasting or Ramzan. I do not fast but do participate in the ‘Eid’ where people get together and have food together at the end of the month-long fasting. This year it will be lonely, but I will cook biriyani and celebrate with my husband.” Read the Globe The Read the Globe program provides first-year students an op- portunity to learn and experience an international topic through read- ing. For over 12 years, students have engaged with authors to discuss se- rious issues around the world and prepare them to become responsible global citizens. TAMIU states that the program introduces narratives about events of the highest global importance, promotes discussions of international issues across the cam- pus and connects the broader world to the Laredo community. “Over the last 12 years, more than 10,000 freshmen have engaged with ‘Reading the Globe’ memoirs about war, immigration, social jus- tice and human trafficking, and over 170 Ambassadors have traveled to Cambodia, Chile, China, Eastern Europe, Ghana, India, South Africa, Poland, Russia and, most recently, Brazil,” Arenaz said. “Each semes- ter, we find ourselves as inspired as our students, and this creates a truly transformative international experience that colors their remain- ing years here. Investing in student learning about global issues is not only part of our mission statement but a most worthy goal.” According Hickey, Read the Globe focuses on building tolerance of other cultures and the importance of service and leadership. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any trip by the university was canceled. In the case of Julio Cesar Ob- scura, who traveled to Ghana for his study abroad program, not only did it expand his mind of the world around him but changed his life for the better. Prior to the trip, he bought a camera, learned the ins and outs of it and captured life in Ghana and throughout his other three trips. “I tried to capture what I could and share these stories when I came back to Laredo,” Obscura said. He mentioned that despite schools touching up on subjects such as the transatlantic slave trade, little information is relayed to students to Courtesy of Andrea Valdes As a part of TAMIU’s Study Abroad program, Andrea Valdes visits Germany. Courtesy of Julio Obscuro Nancy Pelosi at the Door of No Return in Dakar, Senegal