Alcorn students participate in national “Mix It Up” Day
Alcorn students participate in national “Mix It Up” Day
On October 30, the Office of Educational Equity and Inclusion and the Diversity Champions engaged a group of Alcorn students to participate in the National Mix It Up at Lunch Day, an initiative that promotes inclusion by breaking down social barriers through conversation. This initiative that launched in the USA over a decade ago, is a component of the Teaching Tolerance Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center and involves over 2100 schools and colleges around the world. For Alcorn, it was second year to participate in the initiative.
As surveys show, students have identified the cafeteria as the place where divisions are most clearly drawn. So, during the event that took place at the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility, participants were asked to move out of their comfort zones, join the discussion and connect with someone new over lunch.
This simple act has profound implications. Studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice. When students interact with those who are different from them, biases and misperceptions can fall away. (Retrieved from www.tolerance.org on 11/02/2012)
Amber Tatum, a sophomore majoring in biology, shared, “I am a transfer student from Texarcana, Texas, and didn’t know that many people at Alcorn at first. I think it’s a great idea for students to ‘mix it up’ and meet new people.”
Giovonni Davis, a freshman majoring in criminal justice, is from New Orleans, Louisiana. He says, “I am one of those people that don’t easily talk to people I don’t know, so this activity has really helped me to open up and make friends with several students.”
An exchange student from Pakistan Kaneez Fatima exclaimed, “I loved the game when you have to introduce yourself and explain what your name means. It helps me memorize people’s names better. Today I met more people than since the first time I came to Alcorn in August.”
An MBA student from Seattle, Washington, Tony Innouvong stated, “Our group, the Diversity Champions, facilitated this event because it helps students develop social skills, come out of their shells and create connections and opportunities. They have a chance to meet people with backgrounds different from their own, experience new things and broaden their horizons. At the end of the day, these social skills will help students when they graduate and step into the business world that becomes more competitive and globally oriented every day.”
