Home Again

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 19:01:15 +0000

Home Again HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Fri, 01/05/2024 - 14:01

Alumna returns to campus to serve as director of equity

January 9, 2024

Heather Harris Michonski

Whether it’s in the classroom teaching students in Brockton, working in the mentoring program for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, or traveling to Dubai as a member of the US Ambassador Hip Hop and Cultural Exchange program, Jazzmyn Rodrigues’ career goals have always been inspired by one thing: to make a positive difference.

The ɫ��Ƶ alumna recently brought her passions back to her alma mater to serve as the school’s inaugural director of equity under Human Resources and Talent Management.

“I chose this career path because I strive to make the world a better place, it stems from my own experiences with the education system,” said Rodrigues, who graduated from ɫ��Ƶ in 2015.

As a student of color, Rodrigues admits she struggled at times when thrown into a school system that was predominately white.

“I lived in Taunton in the inner city but went to a different school system,” she said. “There was a big contrast between my home and school, they were very different. I had a lot of adverse experiences within the school system.”

After graduating high school, it became important to Rodrigues to learn more about the untold stories of history, and how stories featuring underrepresented populations were being relayed in the classroom.

She had the opportunity to do this at ɫ��Ƶ. While earning a degree in communication studies, Rodrigues also pursued an African studies minor, she was a member of the first graduating class to earn this minor.

“Bridgewater gave me so many experiences, but especially as a student of color on campus…I have really fond memories,” she said.

When the opportunity to advance racial justice and equity work at ɫ��Ƶ presented itself, Rodrigues knew she had to apply for the job she now holds.

“It’s important for these positions to exist, not just at Bridgewater, but on a wider scale,” she said. “These types of positions haven’t always existed. We know what it’s like when these positions aren’t in place. It’s time to experience what it’s like to have these supports.”

Since her July appointment, Rodrigues has reacclimated herself with the campus through the lens of a staff member versus that of the student she used to be. She’s been reaching out to the ɫ��Ƶ community, learning what the climate is, what the expectations are and how she can best contribute.

“I want folks to know who I am, to feel comfortable approaching me and see me as a resource, someone they can talk with,” she said.

Rodrigues plans to offer diversity, equity and inclusion programming for staff and faculty, as well as for employee resource groups, and hopes to create an equity leadership program.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just housed within one department or person,” she said. “It’s for all of us. I want to be able to provide skills, confidence, knowledge, and all of the things people need to take ownership of that leadership on campus.”

It’s a role she’s ready to take on.

“I am thrilled to continue my life’s work of making the world a more just and equitable place for all people, especially in education, and to help ɫ��Ƶ advance its racial justice and equity work," Rodrigues said.

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I am thrilled to continue my life’s work of making the world a more just and equitable place for all people, especially in education, and to help ɫ��Ƶ advance its racial justice and equity work.

Jazzmyn Rodrigues, '15, director of equity

Guiding the Way

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:26:21 +0000

Guiding the Way HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 03/13/2023 - 14:26

Student navigators busy charting successful paths

March 16, 2023

Heather Harris Michonski

It was her senior year at ɫ��Ƶ, and she needed to complete five classes to graduate. However, the stress of balancing a busy schedule was becoming too much, causing Hanice Andrade, ’22, to question whether she could handle it all.

“I was really about to give up on everything,” Andrade said.

That’s when Executive Director of Student Success and Equity Interventions Cecilia DeOliveira stepped in and introduced Andrade to ɫ��Ƶ’s student navigator program, operated out of the office of Student Success and Diversity.

Funded through an anonymous grant intended to promote ɫ��Ƶ’s efforts to close equity gaps, the program is in place to support students who can benefit from additional support.

“The role of the student navigator is to listen to our students, to learn from them what obstacles and barriers are keeping them from succeeding at ɫ��Ƶ,” DeOliveira said.

After sitting down and talking with Andrade, together they came up with solutions to better manage her hectic schedule.

“It made me feel warm inside, that someone actually cared about my well-being, my mental health. She took the time to listen to my problems and help me find resources,” Andrade said.

That extra layer of support inspired her to continue with her studies. After graduating last year with a degree in anthropology, Andrade is now applying to schools to pursue a master’s degree.

“The student navigator program really focuses on you,” she said. “It helped me not only find the resources I needed but they pushed me in a positive way.

“Particularly for students of color, to have this resource is huge. They stretch out their hands for us, they see us...they helped me find success on a path I was struggling with.”

Iris Lapaix, ’15, returned to her alma mater two years ago to work as a student navigator. She said helping students find solutions to roadblocks has been rewarding.

“Being able to tell a student, ‘You’re all set,’ means we collectively did all we could to ensure the barrier is no longer stopping them from progressing in their ɫ��Ƶ journey,” Lapaix said.

Fellow alumna, Ellie Cooper, ’22, was hired last July to also work as a student navigator. Being a recent graduate, she is familiar with some of the obstacles current students face.

“When you come to college, you often don’t know where to start. It can be intimidating,” she said. “We serve as a direct contact person to help point them in the right direction. We are a listening ear for students, making sure that they are heard. Students need to genuinely feel they have a support person.”

It’s important to note that student navigators do not replace supports already in place at ɫ��Ƶ, but rather show students all of the opportunities that are available, said Sabrina Gentlewarrior, vice president of student success and diversity.

“Student navigators provide warm handoffs to campus-wide experts, they help students find and identify the office or person that is best positioned to meet their needs,” Gentlewarrior said.

And while many of the students who receive support are directed to student navigators by faculty or staff, students are always welcome to stop by the office, located in Boyden Hall, Room 211.

“Any barrier, be it big or small, that may make you feel like you have no idea how to keep going, allow a student navigator to help you navigate through it,” Lapaix said.

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Any barrier, be it big or small, that may make you feel like you have no idea how to keep going, allow a student navigator to help you navigate through it.

Iris Lapaix, ’15