Happy November, Tigers! Today, we want to shine a light on an organization that we cherish dearly, the Alumni Association Student Board. You may have heard us talk about AASB a bit before, but for those who do not know, it serves as the governing board for all of us (the True Tiger Network) and as the student membership program of the Mizzou Alumni Association. AASB’s recruitment season ends today, and we wanted to use this blog to applaud and bring light to one of their efforts throughout this process, AASpill-the-Beans.
This Instagram Live event was a discussion about marginalized identities in AASB, and it included dialogue about various issues that many groups on Mizzou’s campus do not always discuss. As the True Tiger Network, we represent thousands of students. Even though not all of us are in AASB, there were really important lessons to take from their discussion that even those of us not applying for AASB but maybe other organizations on campus should keep in mind.
For this blog, we heard from three TTN and AASB members about their thoughts and experiences with their own marginalized identities in AASB, so please take the time to read and learn from what they have to say.
How would you define diversity and inclusion?
“Diversity and inclusion are two very different but equally important concepts. Having diversity means having a wide variety of unique perspectives, identities, and voices in a space. Inclusion takes that one step further and is a space in which each individual has a voice that is recognized, listened to, and appreciated.” ~ Jackson Ptasienski, Member Class ‘18, He/Him/His
“Diversity and inclusion is being able to be open and to be altruistic towards people of different backgrounds and/or identities and being able to appreciate and acknowledge the things that we have in common and those things that make us different. ~ Juan Valencia, Member Class ‘19, He/Him/His
“When you have fostered an environment in which all members are treated equitably, and given the opportunity to contribute fully and embrace differences in one another. A simple analogy to an intricate concept is inviting someone to a party but asking them to dance as well.” ~ Johnathan Kimble, Member Class ‘20, He/Him/His
2. What would you tell a student from a marginalized background that is hesitant to apply for AASB due to underrepresentation?
“APPLY! Being uncomfortable in a situation is not always a bad thing. I came into AASB not knowing a single member and was blown away by the support, growth, and love I have experienced in this organization these past three years. Further, there is always someone to talk to if you are struggling to acclimate.” ~ Jackson Ptasienski, Member Class ‘18, He/Him/His
“Apply! Apply! Apply! Representation is very important. Although it is impossible for a singular person to represent a whole community, it is these perspectives that allow us to understand and learn about things we might not be familiar with. Change takes time, but it has to start somewhere. ~ Juan Valencia, Member Class ‘19, He/Him/His
“I would tell them to take a risk. Their being in spaces allows them to amplify and advocate for those in their marginalized background. The more they break into these spaces the more they can create more opportunities for others. I would also recommend being cognizant that they will be underrepresented and don’t come in with expectations of immediate change but slowly growing change and contributing to that.” ~ Johnathan Kimble, Member Class ‘20, He/Him/His
3. What is your favorite Mizzou tradition and why? Is it accessible to all individuals on campus? Why or why not?
“I have to say Homecoming (shameless plug 😅)! While Homecoming events may not always be accessible to every single individual on campus, Mizzou Homecoming is unique because it is not one event or one day. Homecoming, for an alumni, may mean annually meeting up with friends at Shakespeare's for a slice and a beer. Another alumni may be an avid parade lover and attend that every year.” ~ Jackson Ptasienski, Member Class ‘18, He/Him/His
“My favorite tradition is the Midnight BBQ. I feel that this tradition is highly underrated. I remember going to this event freshman year and having a great time meeting people and getting free food. Although I feel like this event succeeds in attracting a diverse amount of communities on campus, I can see how navigating the crowds could be physically challenging for some. ~ Juan Valencia, Member Class ‘19, He/Him/His
“My favorite is Tiger Walk/Prowl. It’s such a unique experience to bring all people together regardless of who they are and where they come from, and it signifies the entrance to Mizzou together but also the exit of Mizzou. Regardless of the route you take and who you took it with, you all still did it together.” ~ Johnathan Kimble, Member Class ‘20, He/Him/His
4. What are ways that AASB could work with the institution and other campus organizations to promote inclusivity and use their platform to support all students at Mizzou?
“Use each other's platforms! Every organization's platform is followed by a unique and niche demographic. Collaborating across organizations allows for every corner of Mizzou's campus to be aware of the opportunities on campus.” ~ Jackson Ptasienski, Member Class ‘18, He/Him/His
“I think AASB needs to use its platforms to amplify and promote diversity and inclusion across campus. The advocacy for IDE across campus is key to getting everyone’s voices heard. Partnerships with more organizations, especially those of diverse backgrounds to promote, enhance, and develop the student experience for all students.” ~ Johnathan Kimble, Member Class ‘20, He/Him/His
5. How do you uniquely Fight Tiger?
“I fight the good fight. But don’t just fight, unify and amplify.” ~ Johnathan Kimble, Member Class ‘20, He/Him/His
We are so grateful to Jackson, Juan and Johnathan for sharing their personal thoughts and experiences with us, and we truly hope that their words resonated with you all. If you are someone with a marginalized identity reading this and are on the fence about applying for AASB (and have attended an info session), just know that you are truly valued and seen, and you also have until 5 p.m. today to apply!
Even if you cannot or do not apply this year, their message is timeless and applies to any and every organization on Mizzou’s campus. It demonstrates the importance of hearing from various marginalized identities, especially since no group is a monolith. This is just the beginning of the dialogue we should have about this topic, so know that there is always so much more to learn. If you read this and learned something new, share this blog post with a friend, a loved one or someone who you believe needs to hear this message! As always, Fight Tiger!
TTN Junior
Click on Rachel's name for author bio!
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