University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee TRIO SSS
'EMBRACING OUR FUTURES WITH COURAGE'
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| UWM Photo: Elora Hennessey |
The TRIO Student Support Services program works with often first-generation college students to help them achieve their academic goals and be successful. Getting to know this community, its aspirations and and successes, has been an honor.
In 2022, through this
collaborative mural process I had the chance to meet and work with
students who have been through or are part of this program. During our
workshops I heard firsthand from some of them about their journeys,
where they've been, what challenges they encounter to get to where they
are now, and where they are striving to go.
Through our process of sharing and listening we made some discoveries, that allowed us to acknowledge and recognize different strengths the community has in order to make their journey. These strengths included a willingness to take new risks, reach out and ask for help, and expose oneself to new things.
I was inspired to do the central image of many faces of different skin tones from one of the drawings they did in groups. Instead of one face I made it many to be more inclusive of different cultures. One story that stood out to me is one of intersectionality, and the very real experience of people having parents of different cultural and national backgrounds, and how hard it can be to integrate that within one's own identity being born here.
We also talked about things like how one can be born here and besides the common financial challenges, there can also be cultural and familial pressures that are comfortable and familiar but can have an adverse effect on the sense of freedom to explore new territory and be the first to go through college.
The faces are looking out through a sort of prism onto a stairway opening into the future. The inspiration for that idea also came from one of the drawings. Then we have a map, like a treasure map winding around going in circles, leading from urban areas and a rural area, and someone from TRIO offering help with filling out the FAFSA application.
Finally, the sense of relief and accomplishment that comes with graduation, and the hope that staff here hold for everyone who walks through these doors. They are committed to creating a welcoming safe space. There are symbols for some of the majors students could go into for their careers.
I want to thank Dr. Karen Parrish Baker, TRIO SSS staff and students for their support, participation and guidance on this project, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the U. S. Department of Education Office for Postsecondary Education for making this project possible.
Project links:
The mural is installed inside TRIO Student Support Services
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mitchell Hall, RM 135
3203 N. Downer Ave
Website: https://uwm.edu/student-support-services/
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