WE BELONG
We are celebrating the diversity of staff members in the Georgia State community. The We Belong Gallery encourages members of the Georgia State community to feel like they belong, and encourages those who want to join the university to feel like this is a place they can come and be accepted.
Georgia State has more than 53,000 students studying on campus from every county in Georgia, every state in the U.S. and 170 countries.
PARTICIPANTS
While the protected categories (age and race) are important, we want to expand our exploration to celebrate the rich diversity here at Georgia State.
YOUR JOURNEY
We want to focus on your unique identity and journey. When referring to your journey, we want to know about the challenges and accomplishments you had that made you who you are today.
YOUR UNIQUENESS
How has your unique identity helped create a more inclusive workforce at Georgia State?
We Belong Photo Gallery
JULY COLEMAN - I AM MY EXPERIENCES
Office of Latino Student Support & Services
July Coleman takes on many identities. She is a Latina, a woman, a mother, a leader, a friend and an advocate. Born in Bogotá, Colombia and raised by a single father, July would gather qualities from the various women in her life.Often throughout her life, she felt people would try to limit her identity to being a Latina. July explains “my experiences are what helped define the woman and leader I am today.”
MARK EISTER- THE MINISTRY OF MILITARY
Director of Military Outreach
Twenty-seven years ago, Mark Eister and his wife enlisted in the military with a strong desire to give back to their country. While Mark had no idea what it would turn into, he knew he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself. For Mark, “Serving a military career gave me the opportunity to see, know and appreciate people from many different backgrounds, races and varying beliefs.”
NORAE WOODARD - FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
Resident Assistant
Norae Woodard is the type to pray, and then work for whatever she prayed for. Norae comes from a strong religious background and lives by the scripture Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This scripture provides her comfort in knowing she can accomplish anything, including taking on a full-time schedule in the Lewis College of Nursing while also a resident assistant at Georgia State.
DENISE RIXTER - FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Admissions Counselor- Perimeter College
Denise Rixter grew up in the "Jim Crow south" and she would spend her high school years as one of 10 black students at a majority white institution with an enrolment of more than 1,000. While she never necessarily felt animosity from her classmates, she would feel the impact of isolation. Denise explains how “these experiences instilled in me a strong sense of self to succeed on my own and recognize that it was important to remain focused on my educational endeavors despite my outside surroundings and develop an independent way of thinking.”
BENJAMIN SCHAFER - OUTSIDE OF BOX
Graduate Research Assistant III
Growing up, Ben Schafer never felt he matched the GSM (Gender or Sexual Minority) stereotypes nor the masculine stereotypes. No matter what Ben did, he would be different. Ben would often be “placed in this liminal space between identities that felt foreign” because he only knew how to be himself. Growing up in rural Massachusetts sometimes made it difficult for him to accept his identity, so once he had the opportunity, he would travel the world where “each space and place contributed to (his) dynamic identity as a queer male.”
OMRE' HARRIS - MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Circulation Manager, Library Assistant III
There is more than meets to eye with Omr’e Harris, a 6’3” 290-pound gentle giant from Atlanta. His athletic background allowed for him to open doors and live out experiences he would never have thought were possible. Even though the game of football made him into the man he is today, you will never be able to label him a jock. Omr’e is a lover of knowledge.
Are you interested in joining We Belong? Contact us
If you are interested in participating in the We Belong Gallery, contact us at [email protected] and include "I Belong" as your subject line.