Danielle Koller Participates in LVC's Social Justice Institute

2016 Jan 27

Danielle Koller of Reading, Pa. participated in Lebanon Valley College's Social Justice Institute from January 13-15 in Washington, D.C. Koller, a graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in biology at The Valley.

Students participated in lectures and workshops about oppression and how it affects communities, specifically in the D.C. area. A day of service was spent helping to prepare meals for the homeless with D.C. Central Kitchen. Students also participated in a walking tour about the gentrification of a lower income neighborhood in D.C.

Participants evolve from being appreciative of diversity to understanding systems that maintain oppression and privilege; develop strong leadership and critical thinking skills; and are eligible for membership in the Pallas Society, a campus-based social justice honor society.

As a result of their active engagement and participation in the Institute, students are able to:

• Understand and explain what racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism are as well as how they are maintained by power and privilege.
• Understand and explain the interconnectedness of identity and the power/privilege given by the identity groups.
• Understand and explain the difference between prejudice, discrimination, and oppression as well as the difference between appreciation/celebration of diversity and working for social justice.
• Develop action plans to apply the knowledge gained at the institution and in the community.