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Dr. Desirée Anderson, Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs at the University of New Orleans, will lead two Safe Space trainings in November as part of Nunez Community College’s Pelican Leadership Institute professional development series. PLI is free and open to the community. Registration is open now at Nunez.edu.
Nunez Community College’s Pelican Leadership Institute (PLI) professional development series will return in November with two Safe Space trainings.
The community is invited to take part in these free trainings. Both will be held in the Nunez Auditorium in Nunez’s Arts, Science and Technology Building. The first session will take place Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and the second session will follow on Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Registration is open now at Nunez.edu.
“This semester’s PLI is designed to promote LGBTQ+ education and awareness by giving us all the opportunity to learn more about identities, language and terminology, misconceptions and microaggression and how to be an ally,” said Jacinta Massey, Nunez Director of Diversity and Inclusion. “To create safer spaces, we must acknowledge that there is still a problem with the way people from marginalized and minority groups are treated, but it is undoubtedly the first step in anyone’s journey to acceptance and demonstrating a commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all.”
PLI is pleased to welcome Dr. Desirée Anderson, Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs at the University of New Orleans, to lead the Safe Space trainings. Dr. Anderson holds a Ph.D. from UNO and an M.Ed. and B.A. from the University of Louisville. Her research focuses on campus-based restorative justice (RJ) approaches as a response to racially motivated bias incidents.
Before becoming the Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs at UNO, Dr. Anderson held positions at Saint Mary’s College of California, Tulane University, and Texas State University. She occasionally serves as an adjunct instructor and an RJ Trainer and Facilitator. She has released two book chapters in Colorizing Restorative Justice and Ethics in Higher Education.
The Safe Space workshop is designed to reduce homophobia and heterosexism on campus and in professional environments, thereby making workplaces safer and freer environments for all members of the community. These workshops create an educational experience through which participants are encouraged to explore their personal identities, cultural identities, stereotypes, privilege, and what it means to be an Ally and Accomplice. The program is also designed to understand how these issues impact the global community. After attending the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Safe Zone workshops participants have the choice to sign the Safe Space Pledge and take a Safe Space placard.
Part One (Nov. 7) will focus on learning terminology and gendered pronouns, as well as giving participants tools to initiate their own further education.
Part Two (Nov. 14) is designed to understand a broad scope of the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals, the cycle of oppression, and how you can be a more effective ally and accomplice.
About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.
