Students Elevate Their Voices for Social Justice
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019 |
Contact: Ilene Greenfield Director of Media Relations 973-278-5400, Ext. 1-5122 IGL@BerkeleyCollege.edu |
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BERKELEY COLLEGE STUDENTS ELEVATE THEIR VOICES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Honors Scholars Weigh in on Conversations Surrounding
Learn More: Honors Program students enjoyed dinner and a reception at the Chart House in Weehawken, NJ, following their research presentations at Berkeley College in New York City on August 8, 2019. Research topics based on the theme “Unspoken Barriers in Social Justice” ranged from immigration issues, sexual bias and misconduct, to community policing and the gender pay gap, among others. First-year Honors students also presented their research in White Plains, NY. To arrange an interview, contact Ilene Greenfield, Director of Media Relations, at IGL@BerkeleyCollege.edu. More than 150 Berkeley College Honors students presented research on widely debated topics including immigration, police brutality, human trafficking and the gender pay gap during research symposiums and poster sessions held in August on the topic of “Unspoken Barriers in Social Justice.” The capstone experience for first-year and graduating Honors students develops professional presentation skills and facilitates the pursuit of critical thinking and academic writing. “I am proud of the passion and dedication shown by our Honors students in summarizing the important social issues of today,” said Byron Hargrove, PhD, Director of the Honors Program. “With support from our Honors faculty, librarians and Berkeley College writing consultants, we continue to help our Honors students develop their critical thinking, information literacy, research writing and public speaking abilities – skills that will be important in their future careers.” Gerson Rodriguez of North Bergen, NJ, a Marketing Communications major, and Djenane Celestin of Slate Hill, NY, whose major is Fashion Merchandising and Management, both are first-year Honors students. Mr. Rodriguez’ presentation was titled “No Rich Kids Left Behind: The Education Gap.” Ms. Celestin’s research title was “The ‘A’ Word: The Current Movement to Ban Abortion and Its Effects on Women.” “A lot of politicians do not even know the issues, the conditions, or what the abortion procedure is. There is a lot of ignorance about abortion,” Ms. Celestin said. “People need to get more educated.”
Photo Caption: (Above, left) Berkeley College President Michael J. Smith (left) discusses the research presented by first-year Honors student and Marketing Communications major, Gerson Rodriguez, titled “No Rich Kids Left Behind: The Education Gap.” (Above, right) First-year Honors student Djenane Celestin, a Fashion Merchandising and Management major, presents her research titled “The ‘A’ Word: The Current Movement to Ban Abortion and Its Effects on Women.” “A lot of politicians do not even know the issues, the conditions, or what the abortion procedure is. There is a lot of ignorance about abortion,” Ms. Celestin said. “People need to get more educated.” Aryonna Orth of Philadelphia, PA, titled her research “They’re Just Like Me and You: Ex-Convicts Forced to Face Unnecessary Obstacles to Become Stable in Society.” “Regardless of their crimes, criminals face major obstacles in employment, housing and their education, even if they are eventually found innocent,” Ms. Orth said. “There are some government housing programs, but not enough. Of the 10,000 prisoners released yearly, two-thirds of them will be re-incarcerated within three years. Our society and culture does not support their recovery. Recently released prisoners need to learn basic ways of living,” she said. Inspired by her personal experience, Keyry Broncano of Spring Valley, NY, a Fashion Merchandising and Management major, selected her research, titled “Unlivable Living Conditions: U.S. Immigration Detention Facilities,” because of worsening conditions reaching a humanitarian crises. “These people are forced to live like animals in overcrowded conditions,” Ms. Broncano said. “Awareness is key … Reform will come through elected officials, so we must take into account the questions we ask the nominees.”
Photo Caption: (Above, left) Berkeley College first-year Honors student Aryonna Orth of Philadelphia, PA, presents her research titled “They’re Just Like Me and You: Ex-Convicts Forced to Face Unnecessary Obstacles to Become Stable in Society.” (Above, right) Keyry Broncano of Spring Valley, NY, a Fashion Merchandising and Management major and first-year Honors student, selected her research, titled “Unlivable Living Conditions: U.S. Immigration Detention Facilities,” because of worsening conditions reaching a humanitarian crises. To arrange an interview, contact Ilene Greenfield, Director of Media Relations, at IGL@BerkeleyCollege.edu Additional research topics included:
The Honors Program is a selective, interdisciplinary and seminar-based educational opportunity offered to a limited number of high-achieving Berkeley College students. The Program includes a rigorous academic component and requires students to contribute hours toward community service. About Berkeley College Berkeley College has three New York campuses – Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and White Plains. In New Jersey there are four campuses – Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park. Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. For six consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu. - end - To view the photos in high resolution, go to: Top: https://berkeleycollege.edu/newsroom/images/ALL_HonorsGroup2_0819.jpg Center Left: https://berkeleycollege.edu/newsroom/images/WST_Pres_Student_072619cr.jpg Bottom Left: https://berkeleycollege.edu/newsroom/images/WST_AryonnaOrthCR_073619.jpg
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