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Augsburg College recognized for Muslim student organization

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Augsburg College was mentioned in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as part of an article about Muslim student associations that boast women in leadership roles.

Augsburg’s Muslim Student Association, led by Muna Mohamed ’16, aims to promote unity among Muslim students and to raise awareness within the Augsburg community about the culture, history, and language of the Muslim community.

To learn more about Augsburg’s Muslim Student Association and similar organizations at other campuses, visit the Star Tribune news site.

Kuoth Wiel ’14 continues ‘The Good Lie’ benevolence

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ANCLogoKuoth Wiel ’14 appeared in an article by aNewsCafe – a California-based online news magazine – about a screening of the film “The Good Lie” sponsored by Genocide No More-Save Darfur, an organization aimed at bringing awareness of genocide in Sudan and aiding Sudanese refugees.

Wiel, who was a star in the film and continues her own humanitarian efforts, will make an appearance at the screening and partake in a question and answer session after the viewing.

To read about Wiel and learn more about Genocide No More-Save Darfur, visit the aNewsCafe news site.

EAST program scholars talk with Minnesota Public Radio

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MPRLogoMinnesota Public Radio’s Tim Post profiled Augsburg College’s East African Student to Teacher (EAST) program, which works to recruit and train teachers of East African descent in an effort to help close the K-12 achievement gap.

The program, directed by Audrey Lensmire, assistant professor of education, told Post that by “having more teachers of color in our K-12 system, their professional voice will be shared by their colleagues.”

Post spoke with two current EAST scholars, Abdiasis Hirsi and Asma Ibrahim. Hirsi, who teaches at Wellstone International High School, was born in Somalia and raised in Kenya. He shared with Post that when he was only 19, Hirsi helped start a school in Nairobi to teach English to Somali refugees. Ibrahim, who shared with Post that she was born in Pakistan to Somali refugees, said she had a difficult time as a student in connecting with her teachers in Owatonna. She hopes to become a teacher to help students who are like her become comfortable enough to learn.

EAST is funded by the Collaborative Urban Educator Program and received $390,000 for two school years including 2013-14 to 2014-15. Additional funding is now being sought from the Minnesota State Legislature. State Sen. Kari Dziedzic has introduced a bill to nearly double funding over the next two years.

Listen or read “East African teachers connect with younger versions of themselves” on the website of MPR News. Learn more about the EAST program.

Mai Vang ’14 interviewed by Pioneer Press

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logo-smallMai Vang ’14 appeared in a Pioneer Press article about the increase in socio-economic achievements for those in the Hmong community in the Twin Cities.

Vang, who’s family settled here in the 1970s, said hard work and determination has brought increased success for herself and others in the Hmong community in recent years.

Her parents, Vang said, motivated her to “…go to school and be successful.”

Vang holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Augsburg College.

To read the article, visit the Pioneer Press news site.

Imam, Pastor share story about transition from enemies to friends

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Rev. Mark Hanson, left, moderates a panel at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye.
Rev. Mark Hanson, left, moderates a panel at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye.

Minnesota Public Radio last week interviewed Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye about their journey from mortal enemies to dear friends. The two men, each who headed religious militia in Nigeria, shared their story of reconciliation and forgiveness at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. “The same energy that we use to promote division we are using it now constructively,” Wuye said in the interview with MPR’s Tom Crann. Listen to the interview, “Enemies to Peacemakers.”

Gabriela Monge Lagunes ’15 makes strides with AchieveMpls, Augsburg College

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gaby_3AchieveMpls, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit supporting high schoolers, featured Gabriela Monge Lagunes ’15 in an article about her success as a student and an advocate.

Monge Lagunes, who is a first generation college student, says she has teachers to thank for catapulting her into college and supporting her once admitted.

AchieveMpls is a nonprofit organization started in 2002 by Twin Cities education, business, government, and civic leaders. The organization aims to bridge the gap between high school and college, better preparing students for success.

MPR features Augsburg’s Central Health Commons

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MPRLogoKathleen Clark, Augsburg College instructor and director of the Central Health Commons, spoke with MPR News about her role at the drop-in health care center.

The Health Commons, which has been open for 22 years and is free to visitors, provides medical and nutritional consultations and services as well as connections to other health care resources.

The focus of care at the Health Commons is communication and hospitality, even though–unfortunately–this approach has become less common in traditional medical settings.

Central Health Commons is funded by Augsburg College, Central Lutheran Church, and other private donations.

To read the article and learn more about the Health Commons, visit the MPR News site.

The story also was picked up by the Associated Press and since has run in:

  • The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. — Augsburg College nurses put hospitality first
  • The State of Columbia, S.C. — Nurses at Augsburg College center put hospitality first

Augsburg alumnus discusses racial identity with City Pages

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citylogoFarrington Llewellyn ’12 was featured in a City Pages article about the Black Identity Series, a sequence of public conversations he designs and facilitates.

Llewellyn, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Augsburg College, started the Black Identity Series as an alternative to Black History Month. The idea, he said, is to provide further understanding of African American and black identity issues through the use of conversation and sharing.

“As you get older, you start to realize the things you were going through when you were younger,” Llewellyn said. “I realized that most of these problems come out of issues with identity.”

Al Jazeera America interviews Augsburg faculty member

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AlJazeeraEric Buffalohead, associate professor and chair of American Indian Studies at Augsburg College, was interviewed by Al Jazeera America for an article that was included as part of a series on Native American gangs. Buffalohead said that the role of gangs isn’t that different than the work of the American Indian Movement because both are about “protecting yourself in a culture of violence.” He also reflected on the interactions between gangs from different cultures.

 

Pinther and Grewe speak with MinnPost about gender transition

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In a recent MinnPost story, Jens Pinther ’15 and Michael Grewe ’12 MSW described ways in which Augsburg College lives out its commitment to intentional diversity in its life and work.

MinnPostGrewe, the College’s director of LGBTQIA Support Services and assistant director of Campus Activities and Orientation, described some of the ways in which he provides support to the LGBTQIA population on campus. Pinther described his experiences with gender transition and the ways his life has changed during his time at Augsburg — and place where he has found support and acceptance. Read, “Jens’ gender: A college senior works through his transformation” to learn more.