The article reports that since she accepted the position last summer, Hassan has organized weekly prayer meetings for Augsburg’s Muslim students, recruited the help of a therapist and imam to undercut the idea that seeking treatment for depression is un-Islamic, and has taken Religion 100 students to visit local mosques. “Islam has called me to serve my community,” Hassan said, and her work has not gone unnoticed.

When asked about Hassan, first-year student Mohamud Mohamed ’19 said that “Fardosa is our guide. She is our connection to the outside world.”

College pastor Sonja Hagander said that given the growing number of Muslim students, “it was really key to have a Muslim student adviser.”

The article notes that nationwide more than 50 colleges, including Ivy League schools such as Yale and Princeton, have hired advisers for their Muslim students.

Read on the Star Tribune site.

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The opening session on Tuesday, May 22, is “Transformative Conversations: The Art of Building Bridges and Civil Spaces.” In this session, a student panel will share their experience of dialogue across differences. Participants will explore concrete skills that can support the authentic connections necessary for creating an inclusive campus community. The session will also provide an opportunity to apply the concepts of intergroup dialogue in conversations about political and religious issues that often become divisive in an election year.

The closing session on Wednesday, May 23, “Fighting Poverty in Augsburg,” includes a student panel with faculty and staff who became engaged in this discussion during last fall’s Life of the Mind retreat. This session aims to:

1. raise awareness in the College community about the reality of poverty and its consequences for many Augsburg students;

2. provide resources for students, faculty, and staff to address some of the consequences of poverty, such as acquiring textbooks and finding housing options for homeless students; and

3. explore realistic short- and long-term solutions to address the issue of poverty among Augsburg students.

Session details:

Some of the session topics are:

— Why adult learners are exactly alike and completely different from traditional-aged students – Judy Johnson and Jessica Fox-Wilson

— Developing intercultural competence through international experiences – Orval Gingerich and Cheryl Leuning

— Using the neighborhood as a classroom – Matt Maruggi and Mary Laurel True

— Calculus in Nicaragua – John Zobitz, Andrea Dvorak, and Mark Lester

— Queer in Queernavaca/LGBTQ students abroad – Antonio Ortega

— Hiring diverse faculty – Nancy Rodenborg and Andrea Turner

— Reimagining the theater department – Darcey Engen, Martha Johnson, Sarah Myers, and Rick Shiomi

— Developing intercultural leadership – Akiko Maeker and Paul Maeker

Please register by Monday, May 21 to provide a count for meals and session attendance.

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On Monday, Sept. 17, Augsburg College will host nationally recognized speaker, trainer and performer Elaine Penn for a mini-convocation entitled “Be the Change: Help Create a Better World.” The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will be followed by lunch and conversation in the East Commons (class schedules will not change).

The presentation will focus on diversity, leadership and building an inclusive campus community. This mini-convocation is part of an all-day event in which Elaine will also speak to student athletes, faculty and staff.

Elaine’s background as a campus professional, college coach, athlete and musician has helped her speak (and sing) with college audiences since 1996. She received her Master of Education Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1988.

Elaine will begin her presentations at Augsburg with the mini-convocation, which will run from 10:20 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center. Then, she will participate in a lunch and conversation session from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the East Commons, Christensen Center. After that, she will deliver a presentation for faculty and staff from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Finally, Elaine will conclude her day with presentation for student athletes from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Foss Center.

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