Previous Civility Week themes and presentations
Recap of Fall 2024: Understanding Poverty and New Directions at Brookdale
- Anchoring Event: The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE): College Edition
This was a 2.5 hour immersive experience offered in partnership with the Wellness Center
- Change the Way Finance is Taught
Presented by: Dyalekt from Pocket’s Change
This was a Money Workshop (Dyalekt from Pockets Change, Angela Kariotis, Center for Transformative Learning)
- Keynote Presentation: Poverty Informed Practices in Higher Education
Presented by: Chad Dull
- A People's History of Social Welfare in the United States
Presented by: Professor Sara Burrill, Psychology
- Poverty, Socioeconomic Bias as a Demographic
Presented by: Peter Donnel Boynton, Director of the Monmouth County Department of Human Services, Dr. Anita Voogt, Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships
- Understanding Inequality in America
Presented by: Caroline Calogero and Diditi Mitra, Sociology
- Closing Event: A Living Room Conversation
Presented by: Brookdale Students Who Have Lived Experience with Poverty
Recap of Spring 2024: Sustainability Conversations and Considerations
- The Middle of the Ocean
Presented by: Professor Laura McCullough
It’s a given that the confluence of technological advancement, global warming, the pandemic, and American cultural and political changes are creating an environment in which an individual can feel overwhelmed, dislocated. This may be why deaths by despair (suicide or overdose) have increased dramatically in the last several years. What are the pressures on individuals, especially on young people? And what are some ways to “not drown” by developing a sense of belonging, worthiness, purpose, hope? Can one develop skills to adapt to the choppy seas we find ourselves in? It’s not just a matter of “sink or swim”. This discussion will reference Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and updated version: how to keep your boat afloat.
- Healthcare and Maternity Leave: International Students' Perspectives
Presented by: Members from the International Student Association, International Education Center
International students will host a panel discussion on their country’s policies regarding access to healthcare and maternity leave.
- Healthy and Sustainable Diets: Food Access and Behavior Change
Presented by: Dr. Rajkumari Wesley, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Coordinator, Global Citizenship Distinction Program; GCD Students Panalists: Eden Pela, Morena Traditi and Sergio Nino
Many diets focus on weight loss and improving overall health, but have you ever considered adopting a diet that promotes environmental health too? Learning how to eat sustainably can benefit your health, your budget, and the planet. For a diet to be considered sustainable, food should be produced in a way that protects the environment and has a low impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources. A sustainable diet should also be “nutritionally adequate, safe, healthy, culturally acceptable and economically affordable.”
- Ecology and Justice Project: Environment, Land, Liberation
Presented by: The Office of Government Affairs and Community Relations
Hosted by: CCOG Angela Kariotois, Director Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG
Ecology & Sustainability Project with Movement Generation. Environment, Land, Liberation. We will dive into the Just Transition framework-a vision-led, unifying and place-based set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.
- Cultivating Personal Sustainability Through Mental Wellness
Presented by: The Wellness Center and Associate Professor Marlene Frank
Personal sustainability, within the context of mental health and wellness, refers to the ability of an individual to maintain a state of balanced well-being, resilience, and self-care over time. It involves consciously nurturing the dimensions of wellness within one’s self to achieve harmony and long-term vitality. Incorporating personal sustainability means adopting practices that support mental and emotional equilibrium, even when faced with challenges, stressors, and changes. Within this panel discussion, led by Brookdale employees and various community members, we will explore how to build personal sustainability and resilience to cultivate a positive wellbeing.
- How College U.S. History Courses Can Help Us Sustain American Democracy
Presented by: Members form the History Department at Brookdale Community College
In his 1962 publication What is History? Edward Hallett Carr states, “The historian without his facts is rootless and futile; the facts without their historian are dead and meaningless.” Centering their presentation on this notion, that history is a conversation between the past and the present, several Brookdale History Department faculty will use examples and activities to help the audience see how historical study can build skills and knowledge we all need to sustain American democracy today.
- The Experiential Democracy Dialogue: A Depth Approach to Social Healing
Presented by: Dr. Kirk Schneider, 2022 Candidate for President of the American Psychological Association (APA); Adjunct Faculty, Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University; President of the Existential-Humanistic Institute
Dr. Kirk Schneider, a leading spokesperson for existential-humanistic and existential integrative psychology will introduce and demonstrate his Experiential Democracy Dialogue method, based on his work in recent years to promote cultural and political depolarization. The deep, pernicious, widespread, and dangerous polarization in our societies and world may be one of the most socially and psychologically urgent issues we face right now, and Dr. Schneider posits that it is urgent to address from the standpoint of depth and existentially oriented healing. The Experiential Democracy Dialogue aims to foster a conversation between people who identify as being at opposite ends of an ideological binary. Dr. Schneider will introduce his approach, and then facilitate a live demonstration of it with two people who identify with contrasting sides of a contemporary issue. He will then invite the audience for audience for a brief Q & A on the presentation. It is important to note that the aim of the dialogue is not to debate, but to help us re-humanize our ideological “opponents,” so that we enhance the likelihood of achieving actionable common ground, and if not common ground on policies at the least common ground in regard to broadening our capacity to get along with one another.
- The Different Meanings of Law, Morals and Justice: Accepting and Understanding Each Other
Presented by: Professor Joseph Zavaglia
The concepts of “what is fair” varies from person to person, situation to situation and often is fueled by a misunderstanding of the three separate concepts of Law, Morals, and Justice. For example, the recent case of Dobbs v. Jackson WHO as it applies to the historical application of judicial philosophy and precedents. Whether the recent United States Supreme Court ruling/review (Dobbs v. Jackson WHO) regarding Roe v. Wade was the dismantling of 50 years of legal precedent or the reinstatement of the previous 150 years of law, understanding the roots of this procedure is crucial in not only understanding the Supreme Court but helpful, if not essential, when discussing current legal issues and the role of the Court. and more importantly acknowledging and accepting different opinions.
Recap of Fall 2023: Sustainability Conversations and Considerations
- A Sustainable and Resilient Earth
Presented by: EPA Scientist and Professor Dr. Harry L. Allen
With over 30 Years experience in environmental emergency response, oil spills and hazardous waste site cleanups, Dr. Allen presents a lecture and conversation on the imperatives for a Design Development Model for Sustainability. His work as an environmental science advisor in all 50 US States and 25 foreign countries highlights our responses to and responsibility for environmental protection. He specialized in bioremediation of soil contaminated with wood treating waste, oil, and pesticides. He is also responsible for creating and awarding the Boy Scouts of America Sustainability Merit Badge, an award that requires scouts to account for their personal goals and accomplishments for preserving the natural environmental balances for environmental protections and sustainability.
This presentation proposes that we each must embrace an environmental mindfulness, modeling after Native Tribal Nations’ respect for our resilient Earth.
- Opening Keynote - Happyvism
Presented by: Justin Lopez
Happyvism aims to activate and spread joy throughout Black and Brown communities and beyond.
Lopez focuses on supporting educators and college access professionals in and outside of the K-12 and higher education classrooms, as well as supporting national efforts for students as a part of the federal TRIO programs.
Co-sponsored by: Angela Kariotis, Director Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG, Office of Government Affairs and Community Relations; Global Citizen Project; Wellness
- Sustainability as it relates to human health and lifespan, a discussion of the Blue Zones
Presented by: Caitlin Raiten, Assistant Professor, Nursing and Jessica Domb, Instructor, Nursing
How can we make our diets and daily practices, and in turn, our lifestyles more sustainable? The Blue Zones project has used evidence-based research to help people live longer, healthier lives through nine simple practices. The term “blue zones” was coined by National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner, who researched communities around the globe where people are living longer and enjoying a high quality of life in old age. This presentation will identify common principles used in the Blue Zones that have been found to contribute to individual longevity and have large-scale societal impacts. We hope to enhance your understanding of well-being as it relates to aspects of sustainability in order to help you increase your healthy life expectancy.
https://www.bluezones.com/2016/11/power-9/
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=jsr
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15598276221118494
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720378682
- Sustainability - A 360 Analysis
Presented by: Dr. Rajkumari Wesley, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Coordinator, Global Citizenship Distinction Program; GCD Students: Kenneth Grant, Eden Pela, Jean Guerdy Paul and Morena Traditi
Students enrolled in the Global Citizenship Distinction Program will present different global perspectives and models of Sustainability and engage the audience in a discussion.
Sponsored by: International Education Center, Global Citizenship Distinction Program
- The Myths of Independence: How to Sustain Relationships in the Age of Anxiety
Presented by: Professor Laura McCullough
An important part of the American ethos is the idea of independence because we connect that to the concept of freedom. But is it possible that also sometimes harms our most intimate relationships? The myth of independence is that we should be able to do everything on our own. The “pursuit of happiness“ sounds as if it’s just about the individual, but is that true? Increasingly we understand that interdependence is a core of life relationships; however, there are more pressures on relationships than ever. This workshop will unpack some of those pressures, how the myths work against deepening our friendships and intimate relationships, and some of the ways we can move toward healthier and richer ones during ever more anxious times.
- Neurodivergent Students and Universal Design For Learning
Presented by: Heather Clarke
Consider Universal Design for Learning for liberated classrooms. Accessibility benefits everyone. Author of Tips for First Generation College Students
Hosted by: CCOG Angela Kariotis, Director Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG
- Closing Keynote Speaker: Andy Gold
Hosted by: Angela Kariotis, Director Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG
Andy Gold, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Strategic Engagement for NACCE. Prior to joining NACCE, Dr. Gold served as an Assistant Professor at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and taught in the graduate school at the University of Tampa, and the University of South Florida. In addition to his teaching duties, Gold co-founded the HCC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program and the InLab, serving as an internal entrepreneurial evangelist at HCC. He is a lifelong entrepreneur having started multiple businesses over the past 22 years. He is the founder of Terrapath, Inc., a social entrepreneurial venture started in 1994. Before starting Terrapath, Dr. Gold had a 12-year career in finance, working on Wall Street where he and a business partner raised $52 million in capital to start-up a hedge fund business.
Sponsored by: Angela Kariotis, Director Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG
Social Entrepreneurship x Sustainability in Business, President of the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Recap of Spring 2023: Imagine Social Media Conscience
- Civility and the Legal System: What We Can Learn from the Legal System About Fallacies to Develop Civility
Presented by James Fagen, Criminal Justice
- Open Conversation - Freedom of Expression and the Constitution of the United States
Moderated by: The Student Development Committee & The Civility Week
CommitteeLIBGuide Link: https://libguides.brookdalecc.edu/civilityweek2023
- Transcending Divisions: Does Social Media Allow Free Speech Globally?
Presented by: International Student Association, International Education Center
- Open Conversations Social Monitoring Implications for freedom of expression and the call for Social Media Regulations
Moderated by: The Student Development Committee & The Civility Week
CommitteeLibGuide link: https://libguides.brookdalecc.edu/civilityweek2023
- Who Follows Who-Using Social Media to Enhance Happiness, Health, and Well-Being
Presented by: Collaboration between the Wellness Center and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Link to add your social media follows: https://forms.office.com/r/pmt3xQavPE
- The Great Firewall: How the Chinese Government Censors Information and Free Expression
Presented by: Michael Stone, Adjunct Professor of Seton Hall University
- Open Conversation Social Monitoring Implications for Freedom of Expression and the Call for Social Media Regulations
Moderated by: The Student Development Committee & The Civility Week
CommitteeLibGuide link: https://libguides.brookdalecc.edu/civilityweek2023
- Living Room Conversation: Free Speech, Hate Speech and Campus Life
Presented by: Angela Kariotis, Director of Diversity & Inclusion/CCOG,
Governmental Affairs & Community Relations- Pushing and Pulling: Media as Medium
Presented by: Elisa Elorza, Professor, Art
Trent Welcome, Professor, Graphic Design- Transcending Divisions: Globa Read Event The Book of Joy: Selected Readings and Discussion
Sponsored by International Education Center, Global Citizenship
Distinction Initiative, and Civility Week Committee- Social Media and the Agora: Musings on Civility and Antiquity
Presented by: Bryan Cocchiara, Philosophy Department
- Libguide
The Civility Research Guide created by Theresa Agostinelli provides links to books, articles, websites, videos, and databases related to civility. The LibGuide supports presentation topics and Open Conversation events. LINK TO Spring Civility Week LibGuide
Recap of Fall 2022: Imagine Social Media Conscience
- A History of Civility
Presented by Dr. David Bassano, Professor, History
- Keynote Address - Ukraine vs. Russia: Social Media as Wartime Propaganda
Presented by: Dr. George Reklaitis, Professor, History
- Finding Balance: Getting to a place where social media works best for you and your mental health
Panelists: Belinda Asamoah (student), Joie Bauman (student) Gina Giannattasio (Associate High Schools and Strategic Partnerships), Patrick Zavorskas (Hourly Wellness Center Team Member), Gina Ziegler (Hourly Social Media Administrator), Ken Pecoraro (LCSW, LCADC, CCS, CPC Behavioral Healthcare) and moderated by Dinneen Jackson (Director Wellness Center)
- Social Media Around the World
Presented by: The International Education Center, International Student Association
- PURPLE: America, We Need To Talk
A short film and community conversation uncovering our humanity beneath our national conflict.
Presented by: Angela Kariotis, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, GACR
- The Internet was Not Designed for Security and Privacy
Presented by: Michael Qaissaunee, Professor, Engineering & Technology
- Creating Connections with the Psychology and Human Serivces Club
Presented by: The Brookdale Psychology and Human Services Club
- Radio for Hate, Radio for Peace
Presented by: Sara Brown, Director, Center of Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education
- Social Movement Technologies: Instagram & TikTok
Presented by: Angela Kariotis, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, GACR
- The Social Dilemma. A film about the trappings of Social Media
Presented by: Stephen Fowler, Teaching, Learning & Technology, Instructional Designer; William Ryan, Professor, Languages and ESL; Ave Latte, Professor, Education
The Social Dilemma Official Trailer- Media as Medium
Presented by: Elisa Elorza, Professor,
Art Trent Welcome, Professor, Graphic Design- Effect of Social Media on Mental Health
Presented by: Dr. Rajkumari Wesley, Professor of Psychology & Faculty Coordinator, The Global Citizenship Distinction Program
Belinda Asamoah, International Student, Sophia Jimenez, Student, Mary Romanowski, Student- The Modotti Family: Immigrant Transnationalism before Social Media
Presented by: Ashley Zampogna-Krug, History
Recap of Spring 2022: Centering Our Collective Stories: Listening As an Act of Civility
- Keynote Address - Civility in the Midst of Unrest
Presented by Minister Kerwin Webb, Pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park and President of the Greater Red Bank Area NAACP.
How can one be expected to be civil in the face of danger and attack? Looking at 40-foot waves as they come rushing towards your dwelling is no time to be polite and calm. In his keynote address, Minister Kerwin Webb, addresses the value of civility and probes the possibility of remaining civil even in the most difficult times. Link to recorded presentation.- Civil Conversation - It Can Be Done!
Presented by Joe Ritacco, Board Member of the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought
Civil conversation is a skill that can be learned! Learning this skill can lead to improved, even repaired, interpersonal relationships and ease the formation of new relationships. Lastly, it can help you learn from others by asking those important, sensitive questions.- Understanding that People with Disabilities Are, in fact, People
Presented by Orrie Schulman, Founder of Caring With Compassion
- Can Queer People Afford Civility?
Presented by Leah Wasacz, Brookdale Writing Center Tutor
- Stories Behind the American Dream
Presented by Dr. Ashley Zampogna-Krug, Assistant Professor of History, & Frank Wyman Scholarship Students Jesus Calle Bula and Bianca Japitana
Examine a history of undocumented immigration in the United States through the stories of immigrants, both those of the past and those from today. Link to the recorded presentation.- Suffragist Speak: Race, Slavery, and the Fight for the Vote
Presented by Dr. Connie Goddard, Education Director for the American Association of University Women – Northern Monmouth County Branch, & Gilda Rogers, Adjunct Professor of History and Executive Director of the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center
Link to presentation.
Recap of Fall 2021: Transcending Divisions
- Keynote Speaker: Steven Petrow, Award Winning Journalist and Author
The opening ceremony, featured keynote speaker, Steven Petrow an award-winning journalist who writes and speaks on the theoretical underpinnings of civility, its role in a just society, and how civility can be practiced every day. Petrow is author of the Civil Behavior column for the New York Times and the Civilities column for the Washington Post. His Ted Talk, 3 Ways to Practice Civility, has received nearly two million views.
- Professionalism and Civility in the Workplace
Presented by Jill Donovan, director, Bill Kelly and Anne Laporta, assistant directors of Career, Leadership and Transfer Pathways
Resource links: Library Resources on Civility; Assess Yourself; Christine Porath Ted Talk- Opening Ceremony and Keynote Event - Closer Than We Might Appear: A Conversation on Connection, Communication and Civil Discourse with Steven Petrow
Moderated by Angela Kariotis, director of Diversity and Inclusion/CCOG
- Self-Care Leads to Greater Civility
Presented by Professor Tricia D’Aloia Gandolfo, director of Nursing
- Human & Humane: Trauma Informed, Non-Violent, Communication, and Compassionate Curiosity in the Classroom
Presented by Laura McCullough, professor of English
- The Long Shadow: A Film Screening and Q & A with Director Frances Causey
Presented by Dr. Sara Brown, director of Center for Holocaust Human Rights and Genocide Education
- To Be Civil Is To Be Stigma-Free
Presented by Sara Burrill, associate professor of Psychology, Maeve Harrington and Emily Maxim, students, Human Services
- Sociology, Self-reflexivity and Inequality
Presented by Dr. Diditi Mitra, associate professor of Sociology and Gabriella Green, student of Sociology
- Empathy: Not Just a Feeling, But an Actionable Skill
Presented by Dr. Christine Greco Covington, associate professor of Psychology