The Frederick Douglass Summer Scholars of 2012

                            Interested in the Frederick Douglass Summer Scholars  Program and events?

   Contact Dr. tonya thames taylor, Director of the Frederick Douglass Summer Scholars Program and Associate Professor of History at LThames-Taylor@wcupa.edu

 

July 30, 2012 FDI Scholars Program

Held at the Autograph Library of Philips Memorial Hall

Thanks for Attending, Dr. thames taylor and Davis Pierre-Louis

Video produced by Dr. tonya thames taylor

    JAYLEEN GALARZA- Human Sexuality at Widener University

Jayleen Galarza is a Ph.D. candidate in Human Sexuality at Widener University. She is currently in the process of collecting data for a phenomenological dissertation study focused on exploring the intersections of identity among Latina Women who have Sex with Women (WSW). She is specifically interested in hearing their perspectives on adopting a queer identity with Latina(o) communities and their experiences of navigating multiple identities.

Jayleen is also a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and certified through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) as a sex therapist. She has worked extensively within the human services field for the past five years. She currently works as a mental health therapist for adolescents within an alternative school setting in Delaware County.

She has also served a rewarding term as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) at East Stroudsburg University, in which her work focused on increasing campus exposure to poverty-related issues within the local community.

Jayleen is a dedicated advocate for diverse and marginalized communities. She is passionate about discussing the intersections of identities and experiences of oppression and empowerment. Her professional interests include working with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) and Latina(o) communities.

Jayleen Galarza's reflection of the Summer Scholars Program

 

     LE'BRIAN PATRICK- Sociology/Criminology/Women and Gender Studies at     Louisiana State University

Le’Brian, a Southern Region Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholar, is currently a PhD Candidate at Louisiana State University. He received his B.A. in Anthropology in 2006 and his M.A. in Sociology in 2009, both from LSU. He has continued to conduct research centered at the intersection of Criminology, Gender studies, and Sexuality studies. He is currently working under the direction of Dr. Matthew R. Lee while he completes his dissertation research. Additionally, he has worked a number of years in education and advocacy for LGBTQ equality.

While continuing to pursue his passion for higher education, mentorship, and social justice and equality, he has also continues to maintain a love for the arts. He has been a company member of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater for the past few years, while continuing to perform in various theater and dance productions for the local community.

He is presently completing a qualitative dissertation on the subjective experiences of formerly incarcerated Black males in developing and enacting self-constructs of masculinity post-incarceration entitled, "Vagrant Masculinity: Subjectivity in Post-Incarceration Self-Conceptualization and Reentry."  His dissertation explores self-concepts of formerly incarcerated men and, further, develops an innovative explanation of recidivism variation in the United States across groups, primarily in terms of racial/ethnic and gender differences. Through this research he hopes to advance understanding of the interaction between gendered expectations in the U.S. and criminal desistence, post-incarceration.

                                Le'Brian Patrick's reflection of the Summer Scholars Program

 

RACHEL G. VOLKENS- Higher Education and Adult Learning at Walden University of Minnesota

Native of Pensacola, Florida has been a resident in Philadelphia since 1988.  Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Widener University in 2003, and since then she has been in the education field for eight years.  She has a Master’s degree in Education from Cabrini College, and is currently working on a doctorate degree in Higher Education and Adult Learning from Walden University. 

Aside from being an educator and student, Rachel is a choir director for a local Philadelphia choir and has always enjoyed listening to all kinds music.  This year, she has performed in various concerts in Philadelphia, Delaware and Washington, D.C.  She also volunteers for the Community Learning Center—a GED program serving adults in Philadelphia.

Presently, Rachel’s research is just beginning. She is working with her dissertation chairperson to develop her topic and prospectus.  Her eight years of advocating for students with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges will guide her through the process.   

 

 Updated August 2012