Distinguied Quill Awards.
In the past year I have learned more about diversity than I have ever expected to at Mason. I take pride that I am able to walk around campus and visibly see that I am not the “only one”. The environment at Mason is one where I have the opportunity to interact and learn from a diverse group of people and ideas to create the next best thing.
Through working with LEAD and other offices such as the Office of Diversity Inclusion and Multicultural Education. Before coming to Mason I would always hear “that is a very diverse school” but as I am coming into my junior year, I am learning the true definition of diversity and how to competently practice it in an environment that strive for inclusivity. I did not realize how important this topic was to me until recently, faced with the challenge to be an ally to someone who may not always have a voice in a particular space and the challenges that can come with being an advocate.
My journey into understanding my personal identity as well as diversity in a large setting started with taking a class called Leading Diversity during the winter term of 2013. In this class we discussed in detail our personal identity, and how it plays a role systemically in ways we recognize and do not recognize. I learned that I am not one dimensional, and that there are many parts to myself. I am learning to celebrate each aspect of my identity as well as what others bring with their identity.
As a result of this class and my position as a leadership consultant, I have a heightened sense of how identities play a role in our everyday lives. I have become more aware of who I am, in relation to other people and how I can best play a role in situations where I may have a lot of power and privilege and other times when I do not. Diversity is an essential part to leadership because it allows for leaders to better understand the people they are working for and with. Understanding diversity allows for me to feel comfortable in any space and allows for others to do the same. I think as a leader it is important that I understand or try to understand the experiences of others.
