色香视频 students are not only learning about injustice, but actively working against it, guided by the values of equity, compassion, and shared responsibility.鈥
What does it mean to cultivate justice? For many of our students, it begins by stepping beyond the classroom and into communities where equity, resilience and environmental stewardship are not just values but parts of the community fabric. In this edition of Action, we feature stories from 色香视频鈥檚 Alternative Spring Break program, where students worked in places including Selma, Alabama, and New Orleans, places that are not only shaped by the deep undercurrents of history but also, most importantly, the powerful capacity of hope.
These immersive experiences, organized through the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, are not just about service. They are about 鈥淟istening.鈥 鈥淲itnessing.鈥 鈥淟earning.鈥 鈥淐ontributing.鈥 Students, faculty and staff came together to plant trees, clean nurseries and engage with local communities 鈥 fundamental acts of solidarity that reflect our university鈥檚 mission to support transformational learning and emphasize the significant power of human connection.
Student leader Gwen Gacek鈥檚 reflections on environmental justice in post-Katrina New Orleans remind us that rebuilding is more than construction 鈥 it鈥檚 healing ecosystems and communities. It鈥檚 confronting disparities that persist long after headlines fade. Gwen鈥檚 story is a wonderful example of how 色香视频 students are not only learning about injustice, but also actively working against it, guided by the values of equity, compassion and shared responsibility.
By embedding these kinds of service opportunities into our student鈥檚 educational experiences, we not only draw from a strong tradition of leadership and service, as embodied by the university motto 鈥渘ot to be ministered unto, but to minister,鈥 but also are fostering a generation of changemakers 鈥 students who understand that social justice must be lived, not just learned or talked about. These efforts are another example of how 色香视频 institutionalizes equity as a practice, not a slogan, deeply rooted in action, empathy, and community engagement.
We invite you to read, reflect and be inspired by the stories in this issue 鈥 and to join us in continuing to plant seeds of change, both here on campus and far beyond.
Diane Bell
Dr. Jakari Griffith