Rosie Wood develops diversity programming; Carver recognized for leadership
As a graduate assistant in Indiana University Kokomo’s Multicultural Center, Rosie Wood develops programming to celebrate and support the campus’s diverse student population, while ensuring the center fosters a sense of belonging for all.
Her efforts at this job recently earned her the Indiana University Building Bridges Award, given each year as part of IU’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who capture Dr. King’s vision, spirit, and leadership in ways both big and small – at IU and within communities across Indiana. One student and one additional community member from each campus and IU’s School of Medicine were recognized.
Kokomo’s Carver Community Center also received a Building Bridges award during the ceremony.
Wood, a student in the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program, was honored to be recognized for her work.
“I want to elevate the voices of all students and be a person who paves the way for those behind me,” said Wood, from Middletown. “My overall goal in my career and my life is to be a connecting force for a lot of people. With my work in the Multicultural Center, I feel confident I am making those connections for people.”
Andréa Halpin, dean of students, said Wood stepped into a new graduate assistant role and excelled at her responsibilities.
“She’s created structure and clear goals for the graduate assistant position, paving the way for future success,” Halpin said. “Through her initiatives and daily interactions, Rosie has consistently gone above and beyond to create a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for all students.”
Wood said while she’s a member of the LGBTQ+ student community, she’s also passionate about amplifying the voices of the other minority groups represented by the Multicultural Center, including the Black Student Center, Latinos Unidos: Hispanic Center, and international student services.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be behind the scenes to help them feel fulfilled and create a safe space for their culture to be on campus, and not to be marginalized while so much of the outside world is structured against them,” she said.
The work also is preparing her for her future career as a counselor, she said, adding that she’s also volunteered with a national suicide prevention hotline.
Wood said it’s important to her that students know the Multicultural Center is for all students, not just those from minority communities.
“Giving our groups an opportunity to share what means so much to them is so empowering for them, but also beneficial to everyone, no matter what your background is,” she said. “The more you know, the bigger impact you can have in any field you are in.”
The Carver Community Center, under the leadership of Executive Director JC Barnett III, also was honored for its exceptional leadership in promoting equity, equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice through its commitment to meeting the needs of Howard County’s diverse population. By offering programs that address education, health, and well-being, the center ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can access opportunities that empower them to succeed.
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.