Diverse Student Experiences Project

In partnership with ICARE and the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, the Diverse Student Experiences Project is led by Dr. Sonyia Richardson, Professor Roger Suclupe and Leigh Norwood. The purpose of this project is (1) to intentionally build community among diverse student groups on campus (Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+). (2) To educate diverse students about strategies for healing and resisting oppression with the Radical Healing Framework (3) To obtain insight from students about notable interactions (e.g. microaggressions), supports, resources, gaps in services, and equity as they matriculate at Charlotte, (4) To report recommendations from diverse student meetings and utilize results to meet their specific needs. Indicators for this project include: (1) Provide a report that more comprehensively defines the experience of diverse students (2) Utilize findings to support efforts for diverse student matriculation, retention, etc. (3) Highlight the need for the exploration of diverse student experiences and needs on campus. (4) Diverse students will report feeling validated and supported in the session. We supervise and fund 10 graduate students receiving funding from this project. We are charged with building community among diverse student groups on campus, educating diverse students about strategies for healing and resisting oppression, obtaining insight from students about notable interactions, and preparing a report for the university on the needs of diverse students. This project is supported and funded by HERRF dollars.