MBLGTACC 2012

Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally Conference (MBLGTACC) 2012 was hosted this past weekend, February 10^th-12^th, at Iowa State University. The conference was chaired by valerie guerrero and Christine “Petey” Peterson, both are good friends of mine, and my scholar sisters. Both of them inspire me and challenge me in different ways to see things from a different lens, to create safe-space, critical and meaningful conversations with others.

I arrived to the conference on Saturday, February 11, 2012. On Friday, February 10, 2012, and the morning of February 11^th, I was in Minneapolis with students from the College of Design visiting different design firms (graphic design, architecture, interior design, landscaping architecture, industrial design). This trip was with the purpose to help students network with firms and companies, so in the future students can apply for internships or job openings. During the trip I was constantly checking the social media networks (Twitter #mblgtacc2012, and Facebook) to get updated with all the events of MBLGTACC.

I was only able to participate in the conference for a couple of hours both days Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night I had the opportunity to attend the Pandora Boxx show, I got to see students learn a dance routine to a Lady Gaga song, and then I got to enjoy the drag and queen show.

Sunday morning I volunteered to help in a workshop session, Theater of the oppression. In the workshop, I got to see students share their personal stories through their personal movement, facial expressions, and sounds. This workshop gave me the opportunity to reflect about my own sexual orientation, and personal believes. As I reflected about my personal experiences, I got to see and listen to students’ experiences through the movement of their body, sounds, and facial expressions. The students’ stories were powerful, their tears were powerful and spoke loudly the pain that they had or are facing because of their sexual orientation.

Overall, I am pleased to have participated in the conference for a few hours, and to see that MBLGTACC created a safe-space for the LGBTQ community in the Iowa State University campus. In the conference program my name was publish under the planning committee. I did not too much for the conference, but attending to this conferences it made me realize that I need to be involve by helping my communities, and other students to create a safe-space and environment where everyone is treated equally.

Dream it

If you dream it, it will happen.

Was I hired because I am Latino?

The first fourth chapters of Job One book, edited by Peter M. Magolda and Jill Ellen Carnaghi (2004) provide an introduction of the experiences of other student affairs both graduate students and professionals. Their experiences are relevant to my current experiences. Chapter two, Are They Hiring Me Because of the Color of My Skin?- Christana Johnson, caught my attention the most. In November 2011 I was hired as a full-time employee at my current university. There were various times I asked myself if I was hired because I am Latino or because of my skills and experiences.

Men of color are not graduating. This reason made me wonder if I was hired, because I am a man of color, to help the institution to meet their numbers. I had to came to myself conclusion that I was hired because of my previous experiences, my potential to make a difference and be part of the change, and my ability to help students succeed.

Over the past two months I have been challenged to think outside the box and to implement programming for students. I am responsible for a budget, coordinate the diversity committee’s meetings and events, provide support to faculty, staff and students, and write the multicultural newsletter, among other responsibilities. These experiences have helped me gain more confidence on my personal and professional development. The responsibilities that I have, reassure me that I was hired because I am a skilled and talented student affairs professional. I am learning to be more confident in my decision-making – the decisions I make today, are going to follow me tomorrow.

I am proud that I have a full-time job before graduating with my master’s degree. But at the same time, I am starting to realize that I will be here for the next few years. This realization makes me sad because my cohort members will be leaving soon to start their first job. Soon I will need to find another strong group of friends – I need to build a sense of community. I have started my job; I will continue to do my work by developing programming, advising students, attending to meetings, and making decisions that will impact my current and prospective students, among other projects and responsibilities. While my cohort members will be learning a new culture, a new system, and meeting new staff, and friends from a new institution.

Using theory in practice

As an educator and student affairs professional my job is to help students succeed, by helping them engage in critical thinking and learning, inside and outside the classroom. In my short student affairs career I have noticed that every university is different, with different culture(s), mission, traditions, policies, procedures, regulations, research topics, leadership positions, educational curriculum, and students.

Every student is different. They came from different backgrounds and cultures, they have different traditions, talents, skills, concerns, challenges, and other students have similar interests. Without students there would be no need for institutions. Students are the energy and the power of the campus' life and culture.

Is my belief that every educational institution, should and must, challenged their students academically and prepared them for success in their studies, and for their participation in 'real life,' employment and global environments.

Unrepresentative-students can faced more challenges than the traditional-students. Unrepresentative-students are more likely to face different types of oppression or marginalization because of their social identities. A homosexual student is more likely to be targeted than a heterosexual student, because we live in a predominately heterosexual space. Latinos or African American students (students of color) are more likely to be marginalized than Caucasian students in a predominately white institution. A student in a wheel chair will face more challenges than a student with the ability to walk.

It is important to understand that everyone is different. Everyone has different challenges and different needs.

In the student affairs master's program, Iowa State University, I was prepared to work with individuals at different levels by using theory to practice, and practice to theory. A theory that woks for one individual may not be helpful to others. As a student affairs professional I am capable of developing alternative interventions to provide various forms of support to individuals at different stages of their development as person, student, scholar, or leader.

Feeling and thoughts

No creature can fly with just one wing. No human can soar without heart and head-feelings and thoughts.

Last Semester

I can not believe this is my last semester, Spring 2012, of graduate school at Iowa State University, I am expected to graduate in May 2012 with a masters in education (M.Ed.). I decided to attend Iowa State University because of the outstanding and national recognized Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS). I am very content with my decision I made 2 years ago, to attend Iowa State University to obtain my master. During the past 3 semester I have had great opportunities. I have found a new passion for research, I have travel to present at various conferences at the national and local level, I have met scholars from across the country, and lastly, I have made strong relationships with Iowa State University's faculty, staff, and other students. I been challenged on different levels inside and outside the classroom. I have learned to work with students from different background by providing them with a strong support and a safe learning environment. I know that my experiences at Iowa State University, ELPS, I have grown a scholar, leader, and person. This semester I will be writing in my blog about my previous and current experiences inside and outside the classroom and relating the reading from Higher Education 598, Capstone Seminar.

Educational Revolution

Currently, an educational revolution is going on, and I want to be one of the leaders of this revolution by educating and building a better world through accurate and culturally responsive knowledge and pedagogy.