Click each VOICE Storyteller’s name for more information!
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Latisha Franklin – “How I Ended Up at Penn State”
My experience exists at the intersection of black in America, lower-middle-class economic upbringing, scientist, and woman. After graduating from high school, I could not have imagined I would move at least once a year for 8 years. In this discussion, I will be taking you on my journey to Penn State by describing events that played a role in shaping the person I am today. I will not only be sharing my experiences but, also sharing my insight and growth through specific moments in my journey. Life is a series of experiences that gives us opportunities to make choices. These experiences shape our perception and ultimately guide our choices. Tune in to hear my experiences through my travels in New Orleans, Connecticut, Montgomery, Michigan, and State College. Also, look for the connection between “Maury,” mathematical graffiti, and working as a research technician.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pallavi Eswara – “Traveling to the Other Side”
During my undergrad days, I was caught in a curfew as a result of Hindu-Muslim riots. While half the city was getting ready to go home and be safe, I as a Hindu, college girl found myself in a bus with everyone else on the bus rushing home like me, but not like me. What happened leading to that journey, in the bus and till I got home will be my story.
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Olusegun Soetan – “The Tongue is Fire”
My name Olusegun, and I am a Yoruba man from Nigeria. Well, many people here in the US may not have heard about my country—Nigeria. Furthermore, those who heard about it may know it as a violent place, courtesy of the negative stock images that the American media and global imperial news outlets circulate about Africa. That being said, I have lived ten years in the US, and I have American children who call this place their homeland and country. For me, though, America sees me differently! First, the country calls me an “alien,” a derogatory language the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services use to refer to immigrants in the country. Maybe I am an alien? Maybe I do not belong here because I look different and speak other languages that most Americans do not understand? Maybe I am, maybe I am not: who knows? What is in my tongue that marks me out? What is my identity? Or I carry none still?
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Carla Saavedra Soto – “Sharing a Life with My Clinically Depressed Mom”
My mom was depressed during all my teenager days, and my brother got depressed in the process too, it was not easy at home. Until today I still have very conflicted feelings, but despite everything I value the good moments. Living with a person with mental illness it is not easy, sometimes I felt alone, I felt ignored and even not loved. I know now that it is part of the process, depression is an awful illness, it can destroy a person and drag everyone around. During this experience, I will talk about how I manage to live those days, how I am still processing my mom’s suicide, and everything that took me where I am today.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Dhir Agrawal – “From Small Brown Town to Big White America”
The story is about a small brown boy in a big white country. He came to America for the first time for his undergraduate education. His story reveals his journey to the US and his experiences. He talks about his challenges, fun-embarrassing stories, and cultural differences. Some of these experiences were unique, shocking, and eye-opening. There were times when he felt welcomed in America and other times when he felt attacked. Through these experiences, he has grown into a more global human being.
Though these experiences and feelings were of Dhir, he believes they provide learning opportunities for everyone, especially Americans, on interacting with international students. There will also be a Q&A session, so if you have any questions from an Indian International student, He would be happy to address them.
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Jamie Campbell – “#Girldad: It’s Not Just A Hashtag, It’s A Real Job”
In 2021 you think would think that we would no longer have to have conversations about sincerity. As people we not only recognize, our pronouns, aspirations are readily discussed, and visions are lived and expressed. Yet we continually incorrectly define what it means to be a responsible adult. What makes “a man a man” and “a male a male”, is there a difference between the two words? While I identify as a male does this alone make does not make me a man. Does if even matter anymore as we move into terminology that is more inclusive, we are looking to understand what makes us ..….well us. As we recognize more of our family for who they are, not what they look like, what does it mean that a phenotype says one thing but our actions and our movements say something else.
Do we even need definitions anymore?
In our conversation I want us, me and you to begin to review how we look at people. What does it mean to be at the pinnacle of your being? Should we even be trying anymore to be of a different personal standard? What kind of example are we setting for those following in our footstep? What did we learn from those that came before us?
I hope to raise my voice to concisely share why I think there is a difference between men and males through my successes but more importantly from my mistakes. I hope to challenge some thoughts and be challenged by others.
We look forward to seeing you Wednesday, March 24th!