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that before,” she said. Many of her new friends at PLU were social justice advocates who “embraced their blackness,” she said, and it inspired her to follow their lead. So, among other changes, she stopped straightening her hair. Through her newfound support system, immersion in PLU’s Diversity Center and sociology classes, Urgessa became equally comfortable in her own skin in yet another new culture thousands of miles from home. “I found that I could be unapologetically who I wanted to be,” she

organization, says her alma mater’s cultural connection is grounded in history; the university was founded by Norwegian immigrant the Rev. Bjug Harstad. Beyond that, she stressed, is the institution’s mission, which focuses heavily on sustainability, care, equity and social justice — all core values in Norwegian society. “That’s all been a part of PLU,” she said. Greater Tacoma Peace Prize laureates 2005-present #tl8 .timeline_line, #content #tl8 .timeline_line{ width: 1100px; } #tl8 .t_line_view, #content

, assistant professor of anthropology and director of the new program. “But also I think social justice issues, diversity and sustainability is a big part of the Peace Corps.” Shamil IdrissLearn more about featured speaker ahead of his presentation at the third biennial Chris Stevens Memorial Lecture. Wiley added that the program will help make the transition easier for students who are already on track to join the Peace Corps or other service organizations. The decision to bring this program to campus

internal struggle. It centers on social justice and the roots of migration, Williams said, with an academic focus on the humanities and social sciences, among other disciplines. Williams said the program helps break away from the oversaturation of negative stories coming out of Mexico. “Oaxaca allows students to learn about places of hope,” she said. Despite overcoming so many obstacles to study in Oaxaca, Sophia’s relatives on both sides of the border were unsure that she would successfully return