Wednesday, February 16, 2022

The Third Space Speaker Series will launch today at 4 p.m. with Leigh Patel, professor of educational foundations, organizations and policy at the University of Pittsburgh, and Sheeva Sabati, a faculty member in the College of Education at California State University, Sacramento in the area of Educational Leadership. Today’s event will function as a perfect lead up to next week's Power and Privilege Symposium, and we anticipate a rich dialogue with these engaging speakers. 

 

The Third Space Speaker Series, supported by the Johnston-Fix Foundation, places two scholars in dialogue with each other and with the Whitman community. The concept of a Third Space emerges from the work of scholars of color, who see a third space as one of transgressive possibilities and where those who are often confined to the margins are centered. In environments where one cultural narrative or framework reigns over others, where structural power is concentrated in the few and where traditions and systems reinforce hierarchical status relations, a Third Space serves as an interruption to that framework.

 

What we seek with this series is to cultivate a space, and ultimately a community, where cultural humility, cultural wealth and cultural pluralism are understood, recognized, and practiced. The scholars who popularized the term cultural pluralism explain that, “each person must be aware of and secure in their own identity and be willing to extend to others the same respect and rights that they expect to enjoy themselves.” We hope this series brings us closer to that vision.

 

While the event this afternoon will be virtual, we anticipate that future Third Space speakers will join us on campus. To join us in the Third Space, register with the QR code above or via this link. Please contact the Division of Diversity and Inclusion with any questions at diversity@whitman.edu.

Welcome to Whitman!

Cassandre Beccai joins the team at Whitman College’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion as Director of Equity and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator. Before joining us here she was Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist and Title IX Coordinator at Walla Walla University, where she led institutional efforts for education and prevention of sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment. 

An advocate for equality and justice, Beccai has worked to refine processes, policies and programs that support an inclusive educational and work environment. Examples include the design and deployment of organizational diversity strategies, the reconstitution of harassment training curricula and contributions in the development of more equitable practices in addressing misconduct. Beccai has had the joy of living in the Pacific Northwest for close to a decade and hails from NYC. Beccai holds several credentials including a B.A. in sociology from New York University and an M.Div. from Andrew’s University.

Canyonlands Canoeing: March 11–22

This trip will wind 101 miles down the Green River from Ruby Ranch to Spanish Bottom, near the confluence of the Colorado River. There will be several mini skill and leadership presentations taught during the trip. 

Cedar Mesa Backpacking: March 12–19

Spend Spring Break backpacking in an area of the southern Utah desert called Cedar Mesa, exploring the scenic landscape, finding ancient ruins, spending time with amazing adventurers and hiking through extraordinary canyons.

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that in the past 24 hours, two people with Whitman access were confirmed positive for COVID-19. These people are now in isolation in accordance with our campus and CDC guidelines. Though the likelihood of transmission is low due to our campus COVID-19 protocols, it is possible that others may have been exposed to COVID-19. There is nothing you need to do at this time aside from following our campus COVID-19 protocols. Anyone identified through the contact tracing process as a close contact (within 6 ft. for at least 15 minutes over 24 hours) will be personally notified. 

Have an event you'd like to share with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students. All times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time. 

 

Submissions are welcome! If you have a professional or personal accomplishment to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions should be 125 words or less. The deadline for submissions is noon for the following day's newsletter, though submissions may be held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. By submitting to Whitman Today you also authorize use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.

 

Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.