Youth Advocacy
and Social Justice:
Read to L.E.A.D. Campus Visit

The NC State Women’s Center’s Read to L.E.A.D. program brought three groups of young learners to campus last week for its annual Veterans Day event. The program matches elementary school students who attend the Washington Elementary Boys and Girls Club, Youth 4 Hope, and Neighbor to Neighbor at Glenbrook Crossing, all youth organizations from the Raleigh community, with NC State student and staff mentors. During the academic year, the NC State mentors visit the youth locations once per week for twelve weeks to meet with the elementary school students for games, reading, dialogue about diversity, and building life skills together through various activities.

On Veterans Day, a holiday for Wake County Schools, the 65 elementary school students had the opportunity to spend the day at NC State. They participated in mini-workshops in the College of Education’s media center and classrooms, doing activities that paired drawing and iPads, Wii and math, and paint with autumn leaves and rocks. In SAY Village, an NC State residential "living and learning" community sponsored jointly by University Housing and the College of Education on two floors of Syme Residence Hall, NC State students in a variety of majors live out the theme of “Students Advocating for Youth.” On this day, they welcomed the Read to L.E.A.D. group for a tour of what it is like to attend college and live in a residence hall. The students then ate lunch at either Fountain or Clark. After lunch, they participated in two service projects: creating thank you cards for veterans and making homemade dog treats for service animals to benefit the nonprofit Wags 4 Tags. Along the way, mentors provided fun and fellowship for the kids. Early and positive exposure to college may plant a seed in these students that will grow and flourish, one day bringing some of them back as NC State students just eight to ten years from now.

Read to L.E.A.D. (Learn. Engage. Ask. Do.) fosters personal and social responsibility and provides opportunities for participants (both mentors and mentees) to develop their critical thinking and diversity-related competencies in a relationship-based mentoring model. Above all, Read to L.E.A.D embraces literacy as a tool to promote social justice. Jennifer Castillo, Associate Director of the NC State Women’s Center, directs the program. For more information on how to get involved, please see the video and website.

2013 Kwanzaa Celebration!

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 4, 2013 from 6:00-7:30PM in Witherspoon Student Center, Washington Sankofa Room (126) as the Department of Multicultural Student Affairs hosts its annual Kwanzaa Celebration. The Celebration will feature guest speaker Mr. Omar Tyree (bestselling author, entrepreneur and consultant), as well as student performances and a feast catered by The Palace International. Join us as we learn more about the traditions and meaning of Kwanzaa as we gather together as a community one more time before winter break! See the flyer.

Reminder: DHPR Training

Every five years NC State requires all employees to take part in Discrimination and Harassment Prevention and Response training in class or online (see the NC State Policy). If you were hired on or before January 1, 2009, it is time to make sure that you are up-to-date with this training requirement. Please visit the OIED website under "Discrimination and Harassment" to learn more about the in-class session options or to access the online training module to fulfill this requirement.

Travel to Uganda This Winter!

Join the African American Cultural Center and CSLEPS on a tour that will make you a part of NC State's first long term, interdisciplinary, sustainable project in Uganda. Embrace the culture. Participate in research. Get course credit. Change the world. This year's AACC Tour will happen on December 26, 2013 - January 5, 2014. Contact Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy, Director of the African American Cultural Center, for trip details.

AFS 497- 601: Alternative Spring Break Course/Trip to
the Gullah/Geechee Nation

Offered in spring, this Alternative Service Learning course and community based trip offers 3 course credits. Destinations include Historic Charleston, SC, and St. Helena Island. Students must enroll in the course in order to go on the trip. Class registration is limited to 20 students. See the course details and video.

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