Transcript: Hello! My name is Rosie Ojeda and I am interested in serving as president of the Graduate Diversity Council Executive Board. I am a PhD student and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Education, Culture, and Society. I am a former English teacher, and as such, have advocated for students of color at the high school level for many years. I hope to continue that advocacy here at the University of Utah but for college students, particularly graduate students like myself!
As president, I hope that the Graduate Diversity Council Executive Board can do three things (1) be a support system for graduate students, (2) foster an inclusive campus climate for graduate students from marginalized groups, and (3) create real and lasting change for current and future students from marginalized groups.
I am so honored to be able to be studying at the U, but I wonder why there are not more students of color here? I hope that as the Graduate Diversity Council we can figure this out, and make our campus more inclusive of students of color with diverse needs.
I think we need to communicate with and connect with other departments on campus to make sure that undocumented students are able to attend school without fear, and that they have the funding they need to study here; we need to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the entire campus and are supported in their endeavors, and we also need to foster a campus climate where LGBTQ+ students know and feel that they are loved, valued, and needed here at the U.
I also want us to connect with our community which includes our family members. Wouldn’t it be nice for us to share with our loved ones what they can do to support us while we are on this extremely difficult journey?! Additionally, local parents and community members need to know why graduate degrees are important, specifically for students of color, this includes knowledge of the barriers that we face in obtaining advanced degrees.
I am very excited about the opportunities in store for the Graduate Diversity Council Executive Board!
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