Harambee House First-Year Guide 2012-2013 Welcome! About Harambee Welcome, Class of 2016! The First Year Guide for Stu- Harambee House is a cultural center dents of African Descent is designed to orient you to the for students, faculty, and staff of Afri- can descent at Wellesley College. In Wellesley and greater Boston communities. This booklet line with the name Harambee, a Swa- is published annually by Harambee House as a service to hili word meaning “pulling together,” you. We hope that you will find its contents useful. It in- our mission is to work together to cludes the names and contact information for the core stimulate academic, personal, and communal growth among women of and general executive boards of Harambee sponsored African descent. For many students, student organizations: Ethos, Wellesley African Students Harambee House is a “home away from home.” Our living room is a large, Association (WASA), Women for Caribbean Development comfortable space for a great variety of activities—from watching movies (WCD), and Ministry to Black Women (MBW). There is with friends to enjoying lectures and programs. The library houses a collec- tion of literary, historical, and contemporary works devoted to the African also a listing of faculty and staff of African descent. Diaspora. Our kitchen is perfect for students in the mood for a real home- Lastly, a resource section with information on entertain- cooked meal. On the lower floor, the den, computer area, and study rooms ment, restaurants, and cultural shops in the surrounding provide spaces for study sessions, organization meetings, and a place to just area is also included. hang out with friends. We are also the home to several organizations involv- ing students of African descent (see page 7). Dr. Tracey Cameron Assistant Dean of Intercultural Education Services Programs Director of Harambee House Academic Support First-Year Outing Advisor to Students of African Descent Cultural Advising High Tea Referrals Student/Faculty Gatherings Personal Support Semester Study Breaks Advocacy Black History Month Events Alumnae Networking Senior Reception Visit us online at http://www.wellesley.edu/Harambee 3 Harambee House Staff Harambee House Staff The Harambee House Staff is here for you—for guidance, for advice, for sup- port, and for advocacy. Feel free to drop in to see the Assistant Dean/Director What does the Assistant Dean/Directorof during her office hours or by appointment. Harambee House office hours are Harambee House do? from 9am—5pm Monday through Friday. The Assistant Dean/Director manages Harambee House’s operations and supervises programming for students of African descent and the Wellesley College community. She advises all student organizations whose primary Administrative Staff purpose is to serve students of African descent. The Assistant Dean/Director works with faculty, class deans, and other Dr. Tracey Cameron staff members to assist in the development of all students of African de- Assistant Dean of Intercultural Education scent at Wellesley College. The Assistant Dean/Director meets with staff Director of Harambee House from student Life, the Alumnae and Admissions Offices, the Dean of Stu- Advisor to Students of African Descent dents, Associate Deans of the College, and the President of the College. (781) 283—2133 Why should I meet with the Assistant Dean/Director? The Assistant Dean/Director advises students on coursework, career goals, participation in student organizations, and campus initiatives. By knowing Nancy Giusti who you are and your interests, she can refer you for awards, committee Administrative Assistant membership, conference attendance, or employment. She provides recom- [email protected] mendation letters for scholarships, employment, and graduate school. She can help you through the intricacies of college administration and can di- rect you to the proper channels as the need arises. She can advocate for you if you have any type of difficulty with fellow students, professors, staff, Resident Life, the Academic review board, or General Judiciary. 4 5 Student Organizations of Harambee House Staff African Descent Maya Thompson, ‘13 Events Coordinator ETHOS American Studies Major Washington, D.C. Organization for Women Ethos, Society Zeta Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of African Descent “I love that Wellesley is its own bubble. No where else in the world would I feel this free and safe to explore who I am.” [email protected] Lyndsay Coleman, ‘14 The purpose of Ethos shall be to serve as a support group for women of Events & Communications Coordinator African descent. The organization shall provide a common and effective Media Arts & Sciences Major voice on matters that concern students of African descent on and off Detroit, MI Ethos, SBOG, Admissions Office campus, establish and maintain a meaningful relationship with the black “I love Wellesley because of the sense of empowerment, en- community, study our own history and traditions, promote cultural and couragement, and community you gain and keep forever.” political awareness, fight racism and sexism and prepare ourselves, as [email protected] women of African descent, to approach the challenges of a crucial era. Danielle Alvarado, ‘14 Core Executive Board Events Coordinator English and Cinema & Media Studies Major President Lyndsay Coleman Brookhaven, NY Vice President Danielle Alvarado Ethos Treasurer Raissa Antwi “I love Wellesley for the lifelong friends and sisters you find.” [email protected] General Executive Board ALANA Representative Patrice Caldwell Faith Fells, ‘14 Social Chairs Hillary Sowa & Danielle Gore Events & Communications Coordinator Black Arts Chair Tanekwah Hinds Undeclared Community Service Chair Taylor Stewart Detroit, MI Fashion Show Chairs Alise Powell & Naima Pittman Ethos, WZLY, Admissions Office “I love Wellesley for the many opportunities available to stu- Sisterhood Chairs Faith Fells & Carmyn Polk dents (e.g. study abroad, service trips, internships etc. )” Political Action Chair Patrice Caldwell [email protected] Lecture/Quintessence Day Chair Courtney Jackson Sex & Sexuality Chair Dafina Bobo blackOUT Liason Erika Turner 6 7 Student Organizations of Student Organizations of African Descent African Descent WASA WCD Wellesley African Women for Caribbean Students Association Development WASA (Wellesley African Students Association) exists to promote the exchange of knowledge about contemporary issues affecting Africans and Africans of the Diaspora. Our aim will be achieved The purpose of Women for Caribbean Development is to establish a through activities such as monthly discussions, lectures, cultural meeting place and serve as a support group for women of Caribbean celebrations, community service projects, journals, film festivals, descent by enhancing our cultural, social and academic experience on concerts, and participation in conferences. Wellesley's campus and to promote cultural awareness. Core Executive Board Core Executive Board President Aryanne de Silva President Jacqueline Killenga & Akua Forkuo-Sekyere Treasurer Yassmina Macer Treasurer Akofa Ahiable Secretary Dacie Boyce Secretary Sylvia Ilahuka Social Chair Shonda Luke Film Festival Chair Mwangala Akamandisa PublicityChairs Afiya Addison Lecture Chair Sabrina Zurga First-Year Coordinator Afiya Addison First-Year Coordinator Akofa Ahiable & Adjoa Boateng Webmistress Lala Oyegun Social Chairs Luisa Reyes & Lori Akin-Olugbade Mamaland Coordinators Shikah Kofie & Pamela Akametalu Alumnae Chair Raissa Antwi Gumboot Chief Raissa Antwi 8 9 Student Organizations of African Descent Resources Stone Center Health Services Robin Cook-Nobles, Director Vanessa Britto, Director MBW Individual and group Counseling Phone: (781) 283—2810 Phone: (781) 283—2839 http://www.wellesley.edu/Health/ Ministry to Fax: (781) 283—3769 Black Women http://www.wellesley.edu/Counseling/ Disability Services Jim Wice, Director Includes learning disabilities and ADD Phone: (781) 283—2434 http://www.wellesley.edu/web/Studentlife/HealthandWellness/disability.psml Ministry to Black Women is an organization of students that share a com- mon background and desire to continue learning and sharing Biblical Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center (PLTC) teachings and principles. It is a mechanism meant to spiritually mature Roberta Schotka, Director women in the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom we acknowledge to be the Free tutoring in a variety of subjects for all Wellesley students only true and living God. This is achieved by our ideals and beliefs to Phone: (781) 283—2839 support each other, and spread these teachings to our community. Fax: (781) 283—3769 http://web.wellesley.edu/web/Academics/AcademicAdvisingAndSupport/pltc.psml Center for Work and Service (CWS) Joanne Murray, Director Executive Board Help students with all things work-related (resumes, internships, and volunteer- ing); provides these opportunities as well as the funds to participate in them. Phone: (781) 283—2352 President Taylor Stewart http://www.wellesley.edu/cws/ Treasurer Yassmina Macer Publicity Chair Patrice Caldwell Wellesley Student Aid Society First-Year Coordinator Patrice Caldwell Individual and group Counseling Phone: (781) 283—2839 Fax: (781) 283—3769 http://www.wellesley.edu/Counseling/ Class Deans Lori Tenser, Class of 2016 [email protected] Jennifer Stephan, Class of 2015 [email protected] John O’Keefe, Class of 2014 (A-F) [email protected] Joy Playter, Class of 2014 (G-Z) [email protected]