From the Desk of Diversity
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Special Issue: Fall 2016 Graduate Spotlight
Carolyn Filla
As my time at Northwestern comes to an end, I wanted to first send a HUGE thank you to the University for their generosity! I was a recipient of the diversity scholarship for half of my time there. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve as President of Club Mariposa and the League of Chiropractic women, sit as a representative of Student Senate, and be a member of many groups on campus. Without the continued support from the university, I would not have been able to stay as involved on campus nor had the opportunity to attend seminars on the weekends. The students at Northwestern are so lucky to have the opportunity to embrace their individuality and have a place to feel safe, especially in a world that wants everyone to be the same! A special thank you to Dr. Alejandra Dashe for being such a strong advocate for diversity and supporting the students in whatever way she possibly can!!
Nathan Servey
When I initially decided to pursue chiropractic and attend a chiropractic school, I began looking at my options. I considered many factors such as location, the surrounding city, ratings and reviews online and in-person, and general vibe (aka: campus climate). This search started with the combing of various schools websites; that's when I found the diversity scholarships at Northwestern Health Sciences University. I quickly read through the information about the scholarships as well as the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and was impressed by the apparent dedication of the university to promoting diversity and inclusion as campus values. I quickly searched for other diversity scholarships offered by other universities and found none. Sure, other schools had a page talking about how cool diversity is, but no other school seemed as committed as Northwestern. That's when I knew NWHSU was for me.
I am extremely honored and thankful to have been a part of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern during my time as a student and to receive such a generous and life-changing scholarship. I've done many things over the past three years such as organized a book club that read and discussed relevant books, helped organize and carry-out events including Chinese New Year and Canada Day, met with school leaders to discuss ideas for new clubs and diversity displays, and helped start and run a Student Mentorship Program. It is my hope that the Office of Diversity and Inclusion continues to grow and becomes more active and influential in the classroom to better prepare our future healthcare providers. I would also like to say a special "thank you" to all the hard work and dedication that Dr. Alejandra Dashe injects into the department and campus. As I graduate and build the practice of my dreams, it is my desire to one-day give-back to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion so that future diversity scholars can pursue their dreams as well.
In humble gratitude,
Nathan Servey D.C.
Michelle Speranza
I would like express my sincere gratitude to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for being awarded a Diversity Scholarship. Due to the current economic downturn and large exchange rate between the Canadian and United States dollar, this scholarship facilitated my ability to be able to study here at Northwestern and live in the United States. While at Northwestern I was actively involved in both student and community organizations. During my time at Northwestern, I was a member and/or a leader in the following student groups: Student Senate Class Representative, Student Senate Volunteer and Club Committee Chair, the Canadian Club, Club Mariposa, SACA, Student Ambassadors, the NUCCA Club, and the Mentoring Program. I also had the opportunity as a student intern to make a positive impact in underserved communities through our school's community outreach clinical programs at the Pillsbury House, the Salvation Army, and La Clinica. These were just a few of my most memorable and cherished experiences and I look forward to applying them in my own clinical practice. I would like to thank everyone, including my teachers, peers, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, who helped guide me through my education and made this experience possible!
Please let me know if you need anything else! I truly appreciate everything you have done for us and I am really going to miss the Northwestern community.
Take care,
Michelle Speranza
Thank you, Diversity Scholars!
My experience with our Diversity Scholars is incredible. I work every day with 26 students (and growing) on health equity, social justice, inclusion, and diversity. These fantastic students create Northwestern’s welcoming culture. Let me tell you, their energy is infectious. They share with all of us how much passion they have for our university.
Diversity Scholars are on the pulse of diversity and inclusion work. They have thirteen cultural clubs and I am sure more will be created. They develop new opportunities and partnerships with organizations that support college entrance, anti-racism work, and health equity efforts. They go to trainings on their own time and then teach that knowledge to our campus community. They plan several celebrations that have brought in hundreds of community members to see what we can do. They volunteer at Northwestern and important organizations that benefit our society. They extend themselves into our community above and beyond their full-time studies in acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic.
Diversity Scholars show Northwestern what it means to live, learn, and serve healthy. I am in awe of what, how, and why they do what they do.
Thank you, Diversity Scholars, for all that you do for Northwestern. It is my privilege to work and serve with you. Congratulations on another successful year and extra special congratulations to our graduates!
Submitted by Alejandra Dashe, adashe@nwhealth.edu
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Email: diversity@nwhealth.edu
Website: http://nwhealth.edu/diversity/
Location: Northwestern Health Sciences, West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN, United States
Phone: 952-888-4777 235
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwestern-Diversity-Inclusion/678001138890536
Twitter: @NWHSU_Diversity