Three Reich College of Education (RCOE) staff members - Mel Falck ’14, Audrey Jones ’15, and Rawdon Marroquin’15, ’19 - along with RCOE faculty member, Tempestt Adams, were part of the group who facilitated Appalachian’s INTERSECT Social Justice Retreat this year. The retreat was held on February 7-9, 2020, at the Blowing Rock Conference Center. About 60 undergraduate and graduate students participated and were led by a team of 12 facilitators, who worked in teams of two to lead small groups of 10-12 participants through the retreat experience.
Organized through the Campus Activities Office, which is housed in the Division of Student Affairs, INTERSECT is a three-day immersion retreat aimed at empowering students to take positive action on Appalachian’s campus. The retreat is designed to help educate participants about the concepts of social justice and leadership through the exploration of their own stories, the stories of others, and issues of oppression and privilege.
Facilitators and participants develop contacts and support networks across campus and develop skills to be an ally to many different groups, as well as explore systemic and institutional issues of power and privilege and learn how to apply their knowledge to become effective change agents.
Facilitators apply to take part in this retreat for many reasons; however, most everyone notes connecting with students, faculty, and staff across campus on social justice issues is their primary goal.
“I wanted to learn more about inclusivity and diversity and have the opportunity to engage with discussions in the community about how we can incorporate more inclusive practices into our work in the RCOE and across Appalachian,” noted Falck.
As a young professional, Marroquin wanted to “continue my personal mission to work with students from predominantly marginalized identities on campus.”
“Realizing the goal of having a more social justice campus and society is going to take action,” said Adams. “INTERSECT is a great place to collaborate and work on action items to then bring back to campus.”
“Realizing the goal of having a more social justice campus and society is going to take action,” said Adams. “INTERSECT is a great place to collaborate and work on action items to then bring back to campus.”
The INTERSECT retreat is important for students, faculty, and staff. “It gives a powerful space to those who typically do not have that space, and it challenged those in positions of power to think about how that power dynamic shapes their lives on a daily basis,” noted Jones.
“It also promoted connections between students of differing backgrounds and ideas,” she continued.
Marroquin expanded on this connection: “This experience challenges [faculty, staff, and students’] views and helps them realize that there are multiple identities a person holds that all intersect.”
“With Appalachian being a predominantly white institution, I know that it's very necessary to continue learning and understanding but also accepting of other identities that they may interact and work with,” he continued.
There are many takeaways and steps for implementation gained from the experience of facilitating the retreat.
“Those of us who attended from the RCOE have been discussing holding affinity groups to help further discussions around diversity and honoring the experiences of those who hold marginalized identities in our college,” said Falck.
“The part that is the most helpful in what I do is validating the work we are doing with the Inclusive Excellence team - the conversations that occurred at INTERSECT have informed conversations on our team.”
Jones reiterated this: “The part that is the most helpful in what I do is validating the work we are doing with the Inclusive Excellence team - the conversations that occurred at INTERSECT have informed conversations on our team.”
“The experience helped increase some of my vocabulary as well as deepened my understanding of issues Appalachian students are facing,” said Adams. “Going forward, I now have an arsenal of resources that I can use to include in course readings and activities for sure.”
Marroquin also recognized being “more conscious in my wording, conversations, and presentations with students, faculty, and staff, as well as continuing to create an open and welcoming environment around me.”
Jones recommended “putting in the time to research the topics you are most passionate about and most importantly, looking within yourself to determine where you are on your own social justice journey.”
“Being a facilitator was an awesome experience,” said Adams. “Know that it is a time commitment in terms of training ahead of time and the weekend away. Beyond that, facilitators and participants should be prepared for the high levels of transparency and in turn, be prepared to offer the same!”
Marroquin added, “Faculty and staff should challenge themselves in participating as facilitators and be openminded to this opportunity if they are selected. INTERSECT is a social justice retreat that is meant to challenge what you may know or have heard about various identities and you need to go in knowing that and keeping an open and inclusive mindset to gain the most from the retreat!”
For those who are interested in applying to be a facilitator for the next academic year (2020-2021), applications are due in September. For participants, applications are due in November.
INTERSECT Social Justice Retreat Logo
