In this episode we sit down with Michael Heim, the Director of Migrant Education Student Access & Support (MESAS) at Washington State University Pullman (WSU).

Heim has overseen both the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) at WSU for seven years. Under his leadership, WSU CAMP has been selected as this year’s Example of Excelencia at the baccalaureate level.

Created in 2005 by Excelencia in Education, Examples of Excelencia is a national initiative that identifies and promotes evidence-based practices improving Latinx student success in higher education.

Tune in as Heim, and Diverse host Ralph Newell, dive deep into the inner workings of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which supports students from migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds during their first year of college.

WSU’s CAMP serves a cohort of Latinx students annually, focusing on retention through evidence-based practices that positively impact these students' educational journeys. Despite its successes, the conversation also explores the challenges CAMP faces, such as the need for continued support beyond the first year and the role of community partnerships in sustaining student success.

This is the third feature in our series of four schools being recognized in 2024 by Excelencia in Education. In case you missed it, check out our prior episode featuring this year’s Example of Excelencia at the associate level: Getting to Know the EAP program at Reading Area Community College episode.

KEY POINTS:

- WSU emphasizes diversity, focusing on its growing Latinx population.

- CAMP supports students facing challenges, leading to a 10% higher graduation rate.

- More funding could further boost CAMP’s retention and graduation outcomes.

- How Heim’s work with CAMP has shaped his views on education access for underserved groups.

- Ongoing support from K-12 to higher ed is vital for migrant students.

- The University of Idaho tragedy underscores the need to validate student concerns and build trust.

- WSU and University of Idaho CAMP programs foster community among migrant students.

QUOTABLES:

“CAMP is a program specifically designed to help students who come from a background in migrant and seasonal farm working to have success during the first year and transition into their second year. – Michael Heim

"The stronger the foundation for that student, the more successful they'll be later." – Michael Heim

"The goal is to really serve the state as a land grant institution. We've noticed that at least one sector is kind of growing pretty quickly and that population is our Latinx student population." – Michael Heim

GUEST RESOURCES:

Michael Heim

Examples of Excelencia | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

Tune in as Clarissa Martínez De Castro, Vice President of the Latino Vote Initiative at UnidosUS, discusses the need for accurate information and education to ensure full election participation and encourage eligible Latino voters to register to vote.

Committed to strengthening civil society, De Castro spearheads initiatives that emphasize the significance of ongoing, year-round voter empowerment and engagement efforts. She highlights the importance of voter registration and turnout among Latino youth.

Join in as she, along with Diverse host Ralph Newell, take a deep look at how the Latino Vote Initiative works to increase civic engagement and voter registration among Latino communities — registering 150,000 voters by the end of the cycle. Despite being a significant voting bloc, De Castro shares that Latinos often face voter suppression and lack of outreach challenges.

This discussion is part-two of our Election 2024 two-part series. In part-one we looked at Voter Suppression and the Importance of Minoritized Youth Voting in the United States with Dr. Carol Anderson.

KEY POINTS:

- The Latino Vote Initiative seeks to increase understanding and empower communities in the electoral process.

- 8 out of 10 Latinos in the U.S. are citizens, and 9 out of 10 under age 18 are citizens, dispelling common misconceptions.

- The initiative is driving voter registration efforts, including digital outreach to over 150,000 new Latino voters.

- A key focus is educating first-time and young Latino voters on their rights and voting options.

- Voter suppression tactics, such as false immigration voting claims and voter purges, present challenges for Latino voters.

- Economic concerns like cost of living, jobs, and healthcare are top priorities for Latino voters.

- Lack of outreach from politicians and political parties has contributed to apathy among young Latino voters.

QUOTABLES:

"The reality is that the majority of Latinos in this country are United States citizens. Eight out of 10 Latinos are United States citizens." – Clarissa Martínez De Castro

“The work we do on the agency side —- registration, education, and get out the vote, and then on the narrative side – an accurate understanding of these voters. We do very robust polling.” – Clarissa Martínez De Castro

GUEST RESOURCES:

Clarissa Martínez De Castro

UnidosUS - Latino civil rights and advocacy

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Carol Anderson, a renowned professor of African American Studies at Emory University and the author of five books, including her bestseller White Rage which won the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism.

Anderson discusses the challenges and strategies for engaging youth voters, particularly in African American and Latino communities. She identifies structural barriers, such as voter ID laws and inconvenient polling locations, that hinder participation, emphasizing the importance of civic education and community organizing.

Tune in as she, and Diverse host Ralph Newell, delve into the implications of the Shelby County v. Holder decision, which removed federal oversight of state voting laws, leading to voter suppression affecting minorities. She shares inspiring grassroots initiatives that have successfully countered voter suppression, like the 2017 Alabama senate election, and urges young voters to register, plan their voting, and use their collective power to drive meaningful change.

This discussion is part-one of our Election 2024 two-part series aimed to empower youth voter engagement, particularly among marginalized communities. In part-two Clarissa Martínez De Castro, Vice President of the Latino Vote Initiative at UnidosUS, joins us for a focused look at the importance of the Latino electorate.

KEY POINTS:

- Anderson's early experiences with injustice shaped her interest in history and politics.

- Voter ID laws and polling location issues limit youth participation, especially in communities of color.

- The gap between young voters' expectations and slow political change can be discouraging, but civic education is essential.

- The end of Voting Rights Act oversight has enabled voter suppression tactics like closures and purges.

- "White rage" refers to backlash against African American progress throughout history.

- Attacks on critical race theory reflect resistance to discussions of race and equality.

- How Anderson encourages young voters to embrace their power despite ongoing challenges.

QUOTABLES:

"The backlash would not be there unless we were fighting for our equality. And as we fight for our equality, we keep moving just an inch further closer to what that equality looks like." – Dr. Carol Anderson

"When you have that massive group coming out voting, then they have to pay attention to gun safety legislation, criminal justice reform, [and] climate change… They have to pay attention to voting rights, reproductive rights, [and] LGBTQ rights." – Dr. Carol Anderson

GUEST RESOURCES:

Dr. Carol Anderson

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

Created in 2005 by Excelencia in Education, Examples of Excelencia is a national initiative that identifies and promotes evidence-based practices improving Latinx student success in higher education. This year, the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at Reading Area Community College (RACC) was chosen as the Example of Excelencia at the associate level.

In this episode we are joined by Eleisha Moreno, associate professor and coordinator; and Crystal Schilthuis, full-time faculty member at RACC.

Tune is as they, along with Diverse host Ralph Newell, discuss the significance of the EAP program, its impact on Latinx students, and their leadership roles in fostering an inclusive learning environment focused on helping students develop skills for academic success.

The 2024 Examples of Excelencia recognized at the baccalaureate, graduate and community-based level are also being featured on In The Margins this year.

KEY POINTS:

- RACC is named the 2024 Example of Excelencia at the associate level for its English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

- Over 60% of Reading, PA population is Hispanic/Latino; 50% speak a language other than English.

- How Moreno and Schilthuis found their passion in teaching ESL/EAP students.

- How the EAP program streamlined, improving success in English composition and general education.

- EAP focuses on academic skills, not just language acquisition, which is distinct from traditional ESL

- Challenges in destigmatizing EAP as well as improving communication of its benefits to faculty and students.

QUOTABLES:

"Our classes are considered prerequisites for a lot of 100-level courses, but there are some classes that students can take to fulfill electives or maybe other general education requirements while they're in our classes." – Eleisha Moreno

“Our academic literacy and language center [are] the big things that we do. There are also other things that we do, not necessarily for advanced students, but we offer a free conversation group. Our budget allows for that…more open to the community; and maybe, our students' friends and family members." – Crystal Schilthuis

GUEST RESOURCES:

Eleisha Moreno

Crystal Schilthuis

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Closed captioning and a live show transcription are available in the video for this episode.

In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).

In this episode we welcome Dr. LaNitra M. Berger, associate professor of History and Art History and director of African and African American Studies at George Mason University.

Berger is also the current president of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a non-profit association dedicated to international education and exchange.

Berger and Diverse host Ralph Newell discuss the unique intersection of art history and African/African American Studies in the classroom, and how this interdisciplinary approach helps students gain a deeper understanding of the Black experience in the diaspora. They explore the importance of global learning initiatives and study abroad opportunities, particularly in providing access and support for underrepresented students.

Listen in as they delve into Berger's work in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the field of international education through her leadership at NAFSA. Learn more as they discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting cross-cultural understanding, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international education, Berger's journey in empowering students to become global citizens.

KEY POINTS:

- Berger's expertise in art history, particularly her research of South African artist, Irma Stern.

- Berger's leadership of the African and African American Studies program at George Mason University and the interdisciplinary curriculum.

- George Mason's initiatives to foster an inclusive environment for diverse students, such as the enslaved people memorial.

- Berger's role as NAFSA president and her focus on expanding access to international education.

- Challenges faced by international education during COVID-19 and NAFSA's advocacy for international students.

- Berger's advice for those interested in international education, especially for women and people of color.

- Berger's interests, such as her love for travel and witnessing her students' success.

QUOTABLE:

"I love colleges. I love higher education. I loved being a student. I still consider myself a student and try to learn new things all the time. And I love the very uniqueness of the American higher education system that can take someone like me who came from a solidly middle-class background." – Dr. LaNitra M. Berger

GUEST RESOURCES:

Dr. LaNitra M. Berger

[Book] IRMA STERN AND THE RACIAL PARADOX OF SOUTH AFRICAN MODERN ART: AUDACITIES OF COLOR

[Book] Social Justice and International Education: Research, Practice, and Perspectives

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Closed captioning and live show transcription are available in the video for this episode.

In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by EPYC Media Network (visit at https://www.epyc.co/).