Author: Tanya Couch

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Karen Velasquez

For the past two years, Dr. Karen Velasquez, Co-op faculty and advisor has been researching Latino-Korean working relationships within the “Koreatown” neighborhoods of Manhattan and Queens, New York City. Most interested in learning “how immigration affects people in their every day lives,” she spent her research term in New York exploring the dynamics between Latinos and Koreans and made some great observations. All her hard work has paid off and Dr. Velasquez is expected to publish a book titled Latino Immigrants in Koreatown, New York City: Transcending Cultural and Linguistic Boundaries in 2017. Way to go, Dr. Velasquez!

To learn more about Dr. Velasquez’s work check out these articles: Book explores Latino-Korean relations in Flushing and Elmhurst Author Explores How Koreatown is Bridging Cultures.

Faculty Spotlight: Luisa Bieri and Michael Casselli

Great timing and collaboration brought an exciting opportunity for eight Antioch students to attend the Creative Time Summit in New York City November 14th-15th with Michael Casselli, Asst. Professor of Sculpture and Installation, and Luisa Bieri, Instructor of Cooperative Education. Students in Casselli’s fall course, Primer on Social Practice, have been engaged in an online course, Art of the Mooc: Merging Public Art and Experimental Education, taught by Creative Time’s Chief Curator, Nato Thompson and Duke University Associate Professor of Art, Pedro Lasch. Creative Time, a long-standing partner with the Cooperative Education Program, hosted the “Curriculum NYC” Summit in order to “explore the relationship between knowledge and geopolitics, pedagogical art practices, omissions in contemporary curricula, and political issues such as the re-segregation of public schools and student debt”. Here’s what Luisa had to say about the conference: “I think everyone walked away energized and inspired by the amazing work being done by artists, activists and educators in New York, around the country and the world. Pedro Lasch gave Antioch College a shout out from the stage after featuring student Elaine Bell and my work in the Art of the Mooc course. Absolutely memorable—conversations that we’ll be continuing in the weeks and months to come!”

Interested in learning more about Creative Time? Check out Hannah Priscilla Craig’s blog post here.

Student Spotlight: Charlotte Blair ’16

For her final co-op, Charlotte Blair ’16 traveled to Mexico City for two quarters and researched topics around secrecy, (mis)trust, and rumor within the city. Working as an Independent Researcher, there were three key questions looming in her mind: 1) In what ways does information circulate through a community, 2) How do so-called rumors result in concrete actions, and 3) How do the subsequent actions produce or dismantle feelings of (in)security. She settled in a working class neighbored rumored to be plagued by grupos de choque, or, in this context, “local gangs that are paid by big businesses or the State to create chaos within the neighborhood.” As she delved into the daily life of those around her and became a part of the community, Charlotte discovered how the informal neighborhood association took measures amidst conflict. Many of her days were spent frequenting community assemblies and meetings, volunteering at neighborhood cultural and political events, attending international forums and conferences on subjects such as urban autonomy,and interviewing people about their thoughts and understandings of urban (in)security. She also traveled frequently with her neighborhood association to other parts of Mexico, such as the Normal School in Ayotzinapa, in order to support and learn from other groups who are taking actions against things such as precarious State laws, political impunity, and forced disappearances. While at Ayotzinapa, Charlotte learned a great deal about investigative journalism and was further able to analyze the dynamics around rumor and (mis)trust in relation to the journalists allowed/not allowed to enter school grounds. Charlotte continues to decipher her experiences as she puts together findings and draws conclusions. Great work, Charlotte!

Student Spotlight: Julia Bates ’17

Julia Bates ’17 is currently in Eureka, California on her third co-op. She is working primarily as a Medical Scribe and occasionally as a Medical Assistant at Eureka Pediatrics under the supervision of Dr. Dalton. Her days consistent of documenting patient-doctor interactions for medical record keeping, rooming patients and taking vitals, and she has even had the chance to practice various medical techniques, such as looking inside ears or observing symptoms. Because of the rural location of Eureka, in many cases the nearest pediatric specialist is a long five or six hour drive to San Francisco, so Eureka Pediatrics serves as a great provider of care locally to parents of infants, toddlers, and children. Beyond increasing her knowledge of medical terminology, Julia is making a positive difference in the health and lives of many children! Way to go, Julia!

Photo Credit: Eureka Pediatrics Website

Student Spotlight: Nikki Sadaat ’16

Nikki Sadaat ’16 just recently returned from a week long trip to New Zealand where she attended the ScienceTeller 2015 conference –a conference that she helped plan in her 3 month co-op at The University of Otago: Centre for Science Communication in Dunedin, New Zealand. Nikki worked as an assistant researcher under the supervision of Associate Professor Jesse Bering. Professor Bering is “a popular science author who is best known for his work dealing with evolutionary psychology in matters of sex, religion, and suicide.” In her time at the Centre for Science Communication, Nikki held several responsibilities from running transgression studies to recording of notes to planning for the ScienceTeller 2015 –the most important being the promotion of the ScienceTeller 2015. Nikki was in charge of “setting up radio advertisements, creating posters and rack cards, securing venues, final website and logo designs, incorporating other departments in the university, and lastly, spreading the information throughout the town of Dunedin as well.” While attending the conference, she was able to enjoy the fruits of her labor! Great work, Nikki!

*excerpts taken from Nikki Sadaat blog assignment

Student Spotlight: Clara Strong ’16

After completing her rigorous three year French language studies, Clara Strong ’16 ventured out for her fourth and final co-op to “The City of Light”, Paris, France! While in Paris, Clara worked for a non-profit NGO called Les Auxiliaries des Aveugles or the Auxiliary of the Blind. As a part of the organization, Clara was tasked with accompanying blind citizens of Paris to various missions, or outings. They included a variety of things from walks in the park to grocery shopping or doctor appointments. Through this experience, Clara was able to not only continue improving her dominance of the French language, but experience the beauty and culture of Paris through the company of Parisians. As Clara states, “More often than not, I found that the clients I worked with guided me more than I guided them. They took me through parts of Paris that I never would have found on my own and explained the complex history of the city to me.” Great work, Clara!

Student Spotlight: Rebecca Smith ’16

Rebecca Smith ’16, is currently on her fifth co-op at Voces Mesoamericanas in Chiapas, Mexico. Her job involves assisting with the planning and implementation of workshops, events, and fundraisers to increase awareness for indigenous communities and migrants. She is currently spearheading a campaign that focuses on capturing stories of migrants through the eyes of children and the utilization of photography. To learn more about her campaign or to help in raising funds, visit her site here. Rebecca hopes to continue her work in migrant rights and immigration justice following graduation. Way to go, Rebecca!

Student Spotlight: Gabe Iglesia ’16

Gabe Iglesia ’16, is currently on his fifth co-op at the Nagasaki University Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition in Japan. His job involves assisting with the planning and implementation of the 61st Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs. This year’s conference is focused on Nagasaki’s Voice: Remembering your Humanity. Gabe already has a summer position lined up at the US Department of State his third stint there and a likely path into the diplomatic corps soon after graduation. Way to go, Gabe!

Student Spotlight: Heather Linger ’17

Combining many of her passions — ­food, writing, art, design, cultures–­­ Heather Linger ’17 joined the great team at Lake Isle Press, a cookbook publishing company in the heart of New York City, for her third Co-­op! While at Lake Isle Press, Heather was able to get involved in a variety of tasks, from managing social media accounts and blogging, to editing final manuscripts and attending a national food conference. Beyond these daily tasks, Heather made a great impact on the organization by “improving publicity and marketing efforts through the shipment of books to national TV stations, magazines, radio stations, etc., and completing book award publications.” Heather states: “My work at Lake Isle Press has definitely enhanced my love for writing and editing and has increased my interest in the publishing world.” Check out one of Heather’s contributions to the Lake Isle Press blog here!

*excerpts taken from Heather’s blog

Photo Credit: Heather Linger ’17