GMercyU Serves as Host Site for National “Amplifying Student Voices” Gathering
GMercyU was selected as one of 40 host institutions for the Amplifying Student Voices (AVS) gathering, a national hybrid event presented by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) and the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers.
GMercyU invited nine GMercyU students and three students from Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) to participate in the event held on Saturday, October 5. The event offered students the opportunity to discuss their perspectives on how to create and sustain communities that are diverse and equitable with students from around the nation.
“We are excited to be able to offer this unique opportunity to our students and students from surrounding colleges and universities to have their voice heard and listen to fellow students around the country at this critical time in our country. This type of advocacy work and non-violence dialogues are a great example of our Mercy Spirit,” shared Tatiana Diaz, Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
More than 400 student leaders across the U.S. engaged in facilitated, monitored dialogues sharing their perspectives on how the country’s current democracy is attentive to the needs of individuals and communities. The AVS offered participants a unique leadership opportunity to share their voice on a national stage and to hear what communities of similar and different backgrounds are facing and how they are responding to the world’s challenges.
“Being able to participate in Amplified Student Voices definitely gave me a new understanding on topics from the perspective of different universities, which was very insightful and inspiring. This has also challenged me in thinking about what I can do as a student leader and how I can impact my community,” shared Ijahnae Robinson, senior Public Health major.
"After attending this event I have learned a lot about how much the student voice matters and how important it is for students and staff to have the hard and uncomfortable conversations that strengthen our community. I am very happy to have had this opportunity and look forward to implementing what I have learned into my club life and time as a student here at Gwynedd Mercy University," shared Joseph O'Malley, junior Occupational Science major.