Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Newsblog

Wayne Gersie Appointed to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Council

Published
By
Portrait of Wayne Gersie smiling with his arms folded across his chest.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has appointed Wayne Gersie, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, as a representative member on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA or Academy) Advisory Council. The appointment is effective from May 3, 2023 for a term of two years.

On the Council, Gersie will represent the viewpoints of Michigan Tech in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging (DEIS). In this role, he will provide valuable insights and perspectives to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to help further the USMMA’s mission.

“I am honored to be called to serve by the Secretary to provide insight on the positive educational and innovation impacts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging initiatives,” said Gersie. “This appointment is recognition of the DEIS work we’re doing here at Michigan Tech.”

About the USMMA Advisory Council

The Council’s objective is to provide information and recommendations on Academy operations matters. Areas of focus include:

  • curriculum development and training programs;
  • diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • sexual assault prevention and response;
  • infrastructure maintenance and planning;
  • midshipmen health and welfare;
  • governance and administrative policies;
  • and other matters.

Importantly, the establishment of the USMMA Advisory Council fulfills a key recommendation from the National Academy of Public Administration in their November 2021 report. The recommendation was codified in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

This appointment is recognition of the DEIS work we’re doing here at Michigan Tech.

Wayne Gersie

“For the past two years, we have been working to address urgent challenges at the USMMA, and to provide its cadets with the resources and support they need and deserve,” said Secretary Buttigieg. “We are grateful to members of the Advisory Council for stepping up at this consequential moment and helping guide our continuing efforts to strengthen the Academy and ensure the safety and success of its students.”

To this end, Gersie and the USMMA Advisory Council will provide advice regarding the prioritization of the National Academy of Public Administration’s recommendations, as well as recommend measures to ensure that the USMMA’s curriculum is keeping pace with the technological advances in the maritime industry.

“The members of the USMMA Advisory Council are lending their expertise to help us consider how to position the Academy for success for the next eight decades,” said Maritime Administrator Ann C. Phillips. “We look forward to working closely with them and to receiving the benefit of their insights and recommendations.”

Continue Reading →

Christopher Sanders Wins 2023 Bayard Rustin Award

Published
By
Christopher Sanders smiles and stands in front of a microphone.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) named Christopher Sanders the winner of the 2023 Bayard Rustin Award during the 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet on January 16. This award, now in its fourth year, recognizes a faculty or staff member at Michigan Tech for their behind-the-scenes impact.

Sanders is the advisor for NSBE as well as the assistant director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Bayard Rustin Award from NSBE. Since starting at MTU, our community—and especially our students—have gone out of their way to ensure I feel welcome on campus,” said Sanders.

Arlethia Bell, environmental engineering student and co-president of NSBE, presented the award. During her introduction, she spoke of the impact Sanders has made in the lives of students at Michigan Tech.

“In the short time that he has been a member of the Tech community, he has been instrumental in ensuring the continuation of programs which support diversity on Tech’s campus such as the MiCUP Scholars Program and the Husky Connect Mentorship Program, along with many others.”

Sometimes I think he may not realize how valuable his contributions are to the Tech community.

Arlethia Bell, NSBE co-president

“Chris is super down-to-earth and he enjoys getting to know the students on campus, which is evident by the way that he interacts with us within the CDI,” she said. “Many students have expressed how easy it is for them to connect and talk to him, whether they are asking about campus resources or chatting about anime.”

“Chris is also extremely humble, and openly admits to his shortcomings; but sometimes I think he may not realize how valuable his contributions are to the Tech community.”

About the Bayard Rustin Award

The National Society of Black Engineers began the tradition of presenting the Bayard Rustin Award at the annual MLK Banquet in 2019. This student-nominated award honors a servant leader on campus, often behind the scenes making significant strides, and recognizes them publicly for their commitment.

Bayard Rustin, the award’s namesake, acted as an influential adviser “behind the scenes” to civil-rights leaders. He worked alongside Dr. King and helped organize Freedom Rides and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rustin also served as an organizer for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On November 20, 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Continue Reading →

On Whose Land We Live

Published
By
Landscape containing a dirt road, wetland grasses, several small trees, and a small pond.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and like all of the United States, the Keweenaw Peninsula has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The more recent inhabitants included those of several nations including the Dakota, Fox, and Menomonie. The most prominent nation in these lands before the incursion of Europeans was the Ojibwe. This heritage month is an opportunity for us to learn, share, and celebrate the culture of these first peoples.

Continue Reading →

Domestic Violence: Changing the Narrative

Published
By
Michigan Tech's Husky Statue wearing a purple ribbon around its neck.

For more than 30 years, we have marked our observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with purple ribbons, awareness campaigns, and participation in local and national events. At Michigan Tech, purple ribbons around campus draw attention and awareness to the issues of domestic violence, domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and relationship abuse. Student organizations also host events to raise awareness.

Continue Reading →

A Look at Latine Culture: CDI Director Talks Hispanic Heritage Month

Published
By
Colorful illustration with text that reads National Hispanic Heritage Month.

¡Hola!

My name is Gabriel Jesus Escobedo, but most people here at Michigan Tech call me Gabe. I am originally from Texas and identify as a Tejano. This is my first year as the Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. I am also a PhD candidate studying Anthropology of Performing Arts and Dance with a minor in Latino Studies at Indiana University. The focus of my research is the intersectionality of dance and identity among US Latine youth. Just a few more chapters left and I will be Dr. Gabe.

Continue Reading →

Queer and Here: Conversations Beyond Pride Month

Published
By
Sunshine creating a rainbow in the mist of a lawn sprinkler on a sunny day.

This Pride Month, a few Michigan Tech faculty and staff from across campus gathered for a conversation on being queer in the Keweenaw.

In this roundtable Q&A, Amlan Mukherjee, Erin Matas, Kelly Steelman, Paige Short, and Tom Adolphs share their thoughts and experiences on the importance of representation, connections, and conversations during this heritage month and beyond.

Continue Reading →

Seven Things to Try this AAPI Heritage Month

Published
By
Prairie landscape with a long barracks-type building on the left, a water tower in the distance, and a guard tower in the near right.
Amache National Historic Site, a newly designated national park unit, was an incarceration site established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II to unjustly incarcerate Japanese Americans. Credit: US National Park Service.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month serves as an allegory for many Asian Americans as they ascertain their identities. Officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, public law 102-450 finally passed in 1992 after nearly 15 years of failed resolutions. Congress selected May as the official heritage month for Asian and Pacific Islanders to mark the anniversary of completing the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. This tribute also stands as a reminder to many Asian Americans that, with the completion of the railroad, many of our predecessors weren’t met with thanks or applause but with dismissal, anti-Asian sentiment, and segregation. It wasn’t until 2014 that work began on a memorial in honor of the Chinese railroad workers, which was finally completed in 2018.

Continue Reading →

A Husky on the Spectrum

Published
By
Tucker Nielsen stands in front of the Michigan Tech writing center.

In April 2011, the Autism Society celebrated the first Autism Acceptance Month. Throughout the decades, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have received negative attention, and individuals with autism were portrayed as deficits to society. Thankfully, it’s become more accepted as one’s identity. In honor of April’s heritage month and the spirit of autism acceptance, I would like to share my journey as someone on the spectrum.

Continue Reading →