Social Justice Reflection

Throughout my time at the University of Central Florida, one of my main focuses has been diversity and social justice for the past four years, whether it be my coursework for my degree, my roles in the Department of Housing and Residence Life and my internship with Green Dot UCF. As an Interdisciplinary Studies major, I have been able to essentially create my own degree, giving myself the opportunity to pick my own areas of study and learn what I am passionate about. During this time, I was able to study many different aspects of diversity and social justice through my behavioral sciences area of study taking classes, such as Race and Ethnicity, Social Change, Gender Issues in Communication and other classes that intersect between communication …show more content…
This was the summer of planning the new Social Justice and Gender Inclusive Housing Living Learning Community. The Assistant Director who was involved in the creation of the community called me and asked to come to some meetings for input on important topics to discuss during the year for the living learning community. Once I was able to give my input, I took a step back from being involved, but I was still able to observe the process of seeing the formation of the community, even though it would not be the last time I would be involved in the community. A few weeks before the Resident Assistant rehire process started at the end of the fall semester, it was announced that the Social Justice Living Community has been approved on all levels and will be implemented for the 2017-2018 school year. As a second year returner who was passionate about social justice, I showed a lot of interest in the new Living Learning Community and during the rehire interview, shared my interest in the position. After the initial interview, I was also requested to interview for the Living Learning Community. In the month of February, I was given my assignment in the department as the first Resident Assistant in the Social Justice and Gender Inclusive Housing Living Learning Community. Throughout the semester I have been able to foster relationships with my students …show more content…
Green Dot is a bystander intervention program focused on teaching the community about how to respond if in a situation of power-based personal violence, such as dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. From the start of the internship, I have been able to make a difference in the UCF Community by co-presenting overviews and six hour trainings to students and faculty. Through the process of teaching other people about the program, I have been able to learn a lot of information myself, going through different trainings with Victim Services and shadowing advocates. Through the trainings, I have been able to take part in different diversity trainings and continue to learn about different areas of social justice I have not focused on