9:00 - 10:00 am |
Ageism: Increasing Awareness and Enhancing Social Justice for Older Adults
David C. Burdick, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology & Director of the Stockton Center on Successful Aging
Lisa E. Cox, M.S.W. and Ph.D., Professor of Social Work & Research Chair of Stockton Center on Successful Aging
Elizabeth A. Elmore, Ph.D., Professor of Economics & Director of Stockton Center for Economics and Financial Literacy
Christine A. Gayda-Chelder, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, Service Chair of Stockton Center on Successful
Aging, & Coordinator of Gerontology Minor
The purpose of this learning lab is to explore the social injustice and widespread,
negative consequences of ageism. Ageism is an incredibly important injustice issue
requiring exploration, as the number of older adults in America is anticipated to
more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060 (The Population
Reference Bureau, January 13, 2016). The World Health Organization describes ageism
as, “the most socially ‘normalized’ of any prejudice.” Each presenter will offer their knowledge and experience pertaining to ageism from
a biopsychosocial perspective. Areas to be discussed include health and sexuality, consequences of stereotyping,
socioeconomic issues, and workplace/employment issues. Participants will be challenged
to explore their own encounters with ageism and how ageism relates to social injustice.
David C. Burdick, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology, Gerontology, and Sustainability Studies, and is the
Director of the Stockton Center on Successful Aging. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the Academy for Gerontology
in Higher Education. His research interests are in intergenerational relationships and gerontechnology.
Lisa E. Cox, PhD., LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work and the Research Chair for Stockton University’s Center
on Successful Aging. She has served as a SCOSA Research Scholar and Fellow and published
on gerontology issues such as Medicare Part D and Assisted Living. Dr. Cox is a licensed
clinical social worker who serves, by Governor’s appointment, on the NJ Board of Social
Work Examiners; and previously, she was the long-term care liaison between the National
Association of Social Workers and The Joint Commission on Health Care. Her edited
book, Narratives of Successful Aging: Recipes for Success (Cognella Publishing, 2017), includes memoirs written by older adults that touch upon
aspects of ageism and aging across the life course.
Elizabeth A. Elmore, Ph.D., is Professor of Economics and Director, Stockton Center for Economics and Financial
Literacy. She teaches courses within the Gerontology minor at Stockton University.
Christine A. Gayda-Chelder, Ph.D. is Coordinator of the Gerontology Minor and Service Chair for the Stockton Center
on Successful Aging. She is a New Jersey Licensed Psychologist and Neuropsychologist who works with older
adults in the local community in her private practice. She has extensive clinical
experience counseling older adults struggling with issues related to ageism. She conducts neuropsychological and mental capacity assessments among older adults.
David C. Burdick, Lisa E. Cox, Elizabeth A. Elmore, Christine A. Gayda-Chelder
Campus Center Theater
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9:00 - 10:20 am |
Together We Remember
David Estrin, Founder and CEO of Together We Remember (TWR)
David Estrin is the Founder and CEO of Together We Remember (TWR), a nonprofit empowering the
next generation of leaders to make "never again" a reality by transforming remembrance
into action. The grandson of four Holocaust survivors, David has made it his life purpose to leverage
the power of collective memory to inspire collective action to end identity-based
violence across the world.
After graduating from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy, David joined
Accenture Strategy, where he advised Fortune 500 clients and the firm’s flagship corporate
philanthropy program, Accenture Corporate Citizenship ($60 million portfolio).
In January 2017, unnerved by the rise of fear and hate at home and abroad, David left
Accenture to pursue his global vision for TWR full-time. In 2018, TWR organized 42
vigil programs across 8 countries and forged partnerships with Twitter and the Anti-Defamation
League. David also serves on the External Advisory Committee (EAC) of the USC Shoah
Foundation.
Outside the office, you can find David hiking a mountain, surfing a wave, or eating
his grandma's matzo ball soup.
Sponsors – The Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center; The MAHG Society; and
Stockton’s STAND: A Student Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities.
Featured Speaker
David Estrin
Campus Center Event Room
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10:30 - 11:30 am |
Lift From the Bottom, Everyone Else Will Do Better!
Andy Cowgill, Operations Manager of the Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) Kat Wentzell, active volunteer of ESWA & Stockton University graduate ('18)
Despite headlines that trumpet a “booming economy,” many students’ experiences tell
a different story. They work; they study; they try to save; they can’t save enough,
so they’re forced to borrow. They work even more, and study harder, but there’s a
creeping sense that few of us are really getting ahead. In one recent year, 93% of all income gains in the US went to the top 1%.
During a highly interactive presentation, Cowgill and Wentzell will discuss a method
of grassroots organizing that has been working locally for more than 41 years to transform this situation, building solutions with the direct participation of those who need
change the most. Low-income workers are uniting with local business owners, professionals,
students and others throughout the community on an all-volunteer basis and without a dime of government funding or other funding with strings attached.
They will discuss many topics from divide-and-conquer tactics that have held back many past movements for change to the importance of holding the government
accountable for the commitments it has made.
Andy Cowgill is a full-time volunteer with Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA) in Pleasantville,
NJ where he has been the Operations Manager since 2009. After gaining experience working
on a public health project in Ecuador, doing conservation and voter-registration projects
with Spanish-speaking communities in California, working as a teacher's assistant
in primary and secondary schools, and helping to get media resources to poor and marginalized
communities, Cowgill began organizing the working poor in 2000 and has been doing
it ever since.
Kat Wentzell graduated from Stockton University in December 2018. Throughout her time at Stockton,
she worked closely with ESWA to advance the interests of low-income workers and communities
around her. She has volunteered many hours, done promotional work while serving as
Assistant Editor of the Stockton Argo, and even coordinated a charity rock concert to benefit ESWA's winter efforts.
Andy Cowgill and Kat Wentzell
Campus Center Meeting Room 1
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10:30 - 11:45 am |
Principles of Unity from the Micro, Mezzo and Macro Perspectives
Guia Calicdan-Apostle, Associate Professor of Social Work
Humanity is capable of transforming the society when it is governed by principles
of unity. It is also capable of addressing chaos through a collective will and unbreakable
commitment to the organizing principles that promote unity. This learning lab will
elucidate the process of “unity in diversity” by applying some values and principles
that are mutually shared in human society. The presentation will unpack some evidences
that promote a greater understanding of unity from the micro, mezzo and macro perspectives.
The attendees will learn how to demonstrate the application of the principles of unity
in a structured group session. In addition, we will identify how the individual, group
and community can promote unity in action.
Guia Calicdan-Apostle, Ph.D teaches about race, ethnicity, and diversity in both undergraduate and graduate levels,
and has been for the past eight years. She also teaches an advanced graduate course titled "Advanced
Cultural Competence" to MSW students. Her areas of concentration are spirituality
and mental health, international social work, racism, and immigration and cultural
diversity issues.
Calicdan-Apostle is a member of the Committee on Campus Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
and co-convener of the Social Justice and Education Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
She is also an advisor to the Pilipino-American Students Association of Stockton (PASAS),
an organization with over 40 active students of first and second generation Filipino
and Filipino-American students.
Calicdan-Apostle received her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania,
her Master's in Social Work from the Asian Social Institute in the Philippines, and
her Bachelor's in Social Work from the Philippine Women's University.
Guia Calicdan-Apostle
Board of Trustees Room
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11:30 am - 12:30 pm |
Your Assignment: Practice Empathy
Joseph Everett
Program Coordinator, Stockton University Child Welfare Education Institute (CWEI)
The purpose of this presentation will be to describe a professor’s experience with
an assignment given to graduate social work students immediately after the 2016 presidential
election. Part of thinking like a professional social worker is being able to engage
in personal reflection, self-awareness, self-correction, and interactions which require
comfort and empathy with different customs and worldviews. While we pay lip service
to this in much of education, we often still hold the opinion (even if unspoken) that
“we know better” than our clients or others. This assignment was designed to help
students practice empathy—yes, practice empathy. Their mission was to find someone
in their lives who voted differently than them in the recent presidential election,
to have a conversation with that person and try to understand and empathize with them.
Students were told that the purpose of the assignment was to see that they are capable
of empathizing with people they strongly disagree with, taking the opportunity to
do some introspection. The class did take advantage of this opportunity and the resulting
discussion was fascinating, while sometimes uncomfortable for students. The outcome
revealed a lot about how “tolerant” our classrooms feel to students. Even amongst
social work students, there was a strong fear of ostracism and intolerance amongst
students with minority political views. This express talk will describe this experience
and some of the lessons learned.
Joseph Everett works with the Child Welfare Education Institute (CWEI) at Stockton University as
the program coordinator for the Baccalaureate & Masters Child Welfare Education Programs
(BCWEP and MCWEP). For years, the CWEI has partnered with the New Jersey Department
of Children and Families to help strengthen NJ’s public child welfare workforce. Everett
has also taught courses for the Master of Social Work program and is a graduate of
that program. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and he spoke
at Stockton’s Undergraduate Commencement in 2012 as the Valedictorian.
Joseph Everett Campus Center Meeting Room 1
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11:45 am - 12:30 pm |
Women in Politics: Lipstick, Glass Ceilings, Empowerment & Closing the Political Leadership
Gap
Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, President of Suasion Communications Group & Adjunct Professor of Business
Women’s participation in politics and decision-making has received significant attention
across the world. Today, there are a record-breaking number of women running for and
holding office, yet women still remain seriously underrepresented in decision-making positions. Political education for
women is urgent and timely, and this express talk aims to provide insight into the
challenges and opportunities of women’s political participation. Additionally, attendees
will learn valuable skills to succeed in leadership roles.
A few of the topics to be covered are today’s political climate, famous female political
trailblazers, and Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt’s own political experiences, including anecdotes
from her journey as the first female to run for the 1st District State Senate seat
in southern New Jersey.
Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt is the President of Suasion Communications Group, where she leads a team of creative
professionals who execute award-winning branding, public relations, digital and marketing
campaigns. She is also an Adjunt Professor of Business at Stockton University, where she teaches real-world lessons
from a practicing professional's standpoint. She completed her dual degree B.A. in
Communication and English from Arcadia University, received a Master of Business Administration
from Stockton University, and graduated from the prestigious Goldman Sachs' 10,000
Small Businesses Entrepreneurial Program in 2017.
Adelizzi-Schmidt serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown New Jersey, is an immediate
past Chair of the Cape May County Women’s Commission, and is a current member of the new Stockton University Women’s Leadership Council. Additionally,
she founded and served as chair of the Upper Township Economic Development Advisory
Commission. She also serves as an active member of the Somers Point Business Association,
Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, Upper
Township Business Association, Wildwood Chamber of Commerce, Southern Ocean County
Chamber of Commerce, HSMAI and serves as an Atlantic Cape Community College Communication
Advisory Board member.
Adelizzi-Schmidt was the first female from either party to win a nomination and run
for State Senate in the history of New Jersey’s First Legislative District (Cape/Cumberland/Atlantic).
Her hard-fought campaign platform focused attention on job creation, economic development,
women’s advocacy, and addressing the substance abuse epidemic in her region.
Suasion is a certified New Jersey Women Business Enterprise (WBE), providing customized
campaigns for tourism destination, municipalities, corporations, retail, healthcare,
financial and nonprofit organizations.
Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt
Campus Center Meeting Room 2
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12:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Valentine Cardmaking with Paul Kleba
Paul Kleba, professional cardmaker
Paul Kleba will be hosting a handmade cardmaking session.
Sponsors - The Stockton Entertainment Team and Office of Student Development.
Special Feature
Paul Kleba
Grand Hall
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12:30 - 2:00 pm |
"Love Wins" Screening, Q&A
Robin Kampf, Director of "Love Wins" documentary Emily Sonessa, documentary star Jan Moore, documentary star
Kampf, along with Sonessa and Moore, will attend and have a panel discussion after the 30-minute documentary.
An attorney from Garden State Equality who advocated for marriage equality in NJ will
also be invited.
About the film: "Two 80-plus year-old women fell in love and raised a family in suburban
New Jersey in spite of a husband, Italian-Catholic guilt and the law. Now, after being together, living
in the closet for 45 years, they got married and are now proud, flag-waving members
of a social movement that has changed the course of the history of marriage. Jan and
Emily are now both in their mid-80's, they're married and have children and grandchildren.
But it wasn't always like this. Both women lived for 45 years in the closet and hid
their love from family, friends and even a husband. The story is a true love story.
And demonstrates that love really does win eventually."
Sponsors – The Committee on Campus Diversity and Inclusive Excellence and its Social
Justice and Education subcommittee; The PRIDE Alliance; and Stockton Entertainment
Team
Lunch, Featured Speakers
Robin Kampf, Director, Emily Sonessa and Jan Moore
Campus Center Event Room
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1:00 - 2:00 pm |
Sexual Harassment and Title IX on College Campuses
Katie Coburn, Student Senate President Lex Franklin, Student Senator
The Student Senate recently submitted a formal public comment against the proposed
Title IX regulations released by the Federal Department of Education. These changes
would have a detrimental effect on students, which the Senate researched and explained
in detail within its comment.
During this presentation, Katie Coburn and Lex Franklin, the two major authors of the document, will be reviewing the changes and research
presented in the Senate comment, as well as discussing the other changes proposed
to educate students on the changes and how they will affect them. They will also provide
resources such as help lines and websites that students can utilize.
The main topics covered will be the definition changes in sexual harassment and actual
knowledge, the right to cross-examine a victim, and the change in the standard of
evidence. The presentation will also touch on how these changes affect transgender/non-conforming
students, and how to remedy prospective issues.
Katie Coburn and Lex Franklin
Campus Center Meeting Room 1
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2:00 - 2:30 pm |
Irvin O. Moreno-Rodriguez, Program Assistant of the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University & U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Class Instructor for La Casa Dominicana NJ
This express talk will focus on what it means to be a citizen of the United States,
the benefits and responsibilities hitherto, and the barriers individuals face when
applying for U.S. citizenship. The presentation will use Moreno-Rodriguez's experiences
as an instructor for Free Citizenship and Naturalization Classes, sponsored by La
Casa Dominicana NJ - a nonprofit organization in Atlantic City, to typify the social justice issues
surrounding the citizenship application process. The history of the United States
citizenship application process will also be explored and used to illustrate additional
issues Atlantic City residents and other in the United States face when confronted
with the U.S. civics test. Relevant statistics from the Pew Research Center and the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bureau will also be utilized
to provide additional background to the topic.
The presentation will offer audience members the opportunity to better understand
the U.S. citizenship application process and the issues alien residents face when
applying. With a clearer understanding of the application process, individuals will
have the ability to respond to issues dealing with the legal immigration system.
Irvin O. Moreno-Rodriguez is the Program Assistant for the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University. Moreno-Rodriguez received his B.A.
in Criminal Justice from Stockton in 2015 and is currently working on earning his
M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies degree here.
During his time at Stockton University, Irvin was President of Stockton’s Stand, an
antigenocide, student-led coalition, President of Stockton’s chapter of the Golden
Key International Honour Society, and a Resident Assistant for the Office of Residential Life.
In 2012, Moreno-Rodriguez was chosen by a coalition of Hispanic organizations to be “Hispanic
of the Year” in Atlantic City. He is the youngest recipient in the award’s history.
He is also currently a member of Organización Azteca, a non-profit organization in
Atlantic City that promotes the traditions, customs and culture of Mexico.
Irvin O. Moreno-Rodriguez
Campus Center Meeting Room 2
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2:30 - 3:30 pm |
One Person Can Make a Difference
Mary Johnson, Ph.D, Senior Historian at Facing History & Ourselves Gail Rosenthal, Director of Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University
The purpose of this case study is to introduce and define the term "social justice"
and to explore how activists have changed history. Going beyond the definition, participants
will be able to exchange ideas and hopefully form action plans for themselves for
possible social justice programs at Stockton and within their communities. Participants
will also explore the issues of human behavior and the importance of civic engagement,
learn about the concept of “universe of obligation, as well as learn about civic awareness
and activism – to articulate what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democratic
society.
Both Johnson and Rosenthal have been “prejudice reduction educators” for many years. Together,
they possess 50+ years of teaching experience.
Mary Johnson and Gail Rosenthal
Campus Center Meeting Room 2
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2:30 - 3:30 pm |
Grassroots Organizing for Social Justice
Shevone Torres, member of Black Lives Matter NJ
Jennifer Fried North, active member of SJWPC
Ekaterina Sedia, Associate Professor of Biology and Coordinator of the Cannabis Studies Minor
This presentation will begin with an express talk by Shevone Torres, and will focus
what being silenced looks like, how microagressions work, and how to put oneself in
the shoes of another person. In addition, Torres will also talk about her work as a grassroots organizer and how
Black Lives Matter activists are transforming the national conversation about race.
After, there will be a moderated learning lab about how grassroots organizing can
enact social change.
From this, attendees will learn organizing strategies (such as how to answer questions
like: "What is our goal?" and "Who can help us enact the change we want?"), how to
decide which battles to fight, and how to stay motivated.
Shevone Torres is a core member for Black Lives Matter N.J., and has been an activist for over 20
years. After joining BLM, Shevone started book and breakfast programs, community gardens,
as well as a host of smaller community projects. Torres has traveled to Flint, Michigan
to help assist and raise funds, and has provided support for Hurricane Maria relief
in Texas. She has attended many protests, and even helped coordinate Unite the Right
in Boston (which 45,000 people attended).
Ekaterina Sedia is an Associate Professor of Biology and a Coordinator of the Minor in Cannabis Studies.
She is an active member of the Diversity Committee, a convenor of Decolonizing the
Curriculum subcommittee, and a co-chair of the Faculty Senate Task Force on Hate Speech.
She is also an active member of SJWPC.
Jennifer Fried North is an activist, writer and nonprofit professional. She co-leads South Jersey Women for
Progressive Change's Racial Justice Action Group, which focuses on anti-racism education
in progressive spaces, advocacy for public school equity and police accountability/police
reform. For almost 10 years, Jennifer worked as a national patient advocate for food
and drug safety, testifying in front of the Food Advisory Committee of the FDA and
co-developing curriculum that trained more than 3,000 foodservice workers in gluten-free
food safety.
Emily Devenney works as a retail manager in Philadelphia and is a co-moderater of the Racial Justice
Study and Action Groups of South Jersey Women for Progressive Change. She became interested
in SJWPC while working as an education justice organizer in Camden, NJ. She obtained
both her B.A. in Economics and Masters of Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts
Amherst.
Heather Warburton is an artist and activist from South Jersey. The primary focuses of her activism
are environmental activism and income inequality. She leads Runaway Inequality workshops
for NJWEC and serves on her county's environmental commission. As one of the owners
of New Jersey Revolution Radio, Warburton is committed to supporting anti-capitalist,
racial, social and environmental justice throughout the state and across the globe.
Shevone Torres, Ekaterina Sedia, Jennifer Fried North, Emily Devenney, Heather Warburton
Campus Center Theater
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3:30 pm |
We Are What We Value-- Finding A Value-Based Roadmap To A United World
Kendal Williams, Ph.D Associate Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University
of Pennsylvania
"We Are What We Value--Finding a Value-Based Roadmap to a United World"
Standing at the beginning of the 21st century, our generation faces enormous opportunities
to bring peace to the world and achieve what generations before could only dream about,
but we are historically burdened by values and ideas that keep us from moving forward
confidently and collectively. This presentation will both look backward and look forward,
creating a context for understanding our current place in history, and then outline
some of the principles and ideas that we need to build a more united world.
Kendal Williams, Ph.D is an associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University
of Pennsylvania. Since 2004, he has held various leadership positions within Penn
Medicine, including founding the unique Center for Evidence-based Practice, a Center
that supported decisions within the health system by summarizing the best available
clinical evidence from the scientific literature.
Williams was the Inpatient Service Chief for Penn Presbyterian Medical Center until
2017, where he supervised the medical training programs for the Presbyterian campus
and developed programs to improve the care of inpatients, with a special personal
interest in underserved communities.
A long-time member of the Baha'i Faith, Dr Williams is one of the founding creators
of the Baha'i website- SifterofDust.org- debuting formally in March 2019.
Sponsor - The Social Justice and Education Sub-Committee.
Closing Speaker
Kendal Williams
Campus Center Event Room
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