Challenging Monolingualism: Reshaping our Spaces by Elevating Multilingual/ Multicultural Stories
Date: Thursday, April 20
Time: 6:30-8 p.m. Online
The purpose of this student panel is to elevate the stories and experiences of multilingual learners in school systems and communities. Panelists will share how they and their families have navigated their way in a largely monolingual culture. Their stories and experiences will demonstrate how language and community cultural wealth can reshape our appreciation for multilingualism/multiculturalism.
Panelists include:
- Zainab Alsudani, UW-Milwaukee
- Mikal Irfan, Alverno College
- Raquel Quevedo, UW-Milwaukee
- Ja Roi, Alverno College
- Jesus Velarde, UW-Milwaukee
Moderator: Kika Meraz, ESL Teacher, South Division High School 2023 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellow
This virtual panel is free and open to the public. Please register online to receive the Zoom link.
This event is co-sponsored by Alverno College, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UW-Milwaukee (CLACS), and the Institute for World Affairs (IWA) at UW-Milwaukee. It is supported by Title VI National Resource Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education and by a grant from the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation.
Registration has closed. If you are still interested in attending the event, please click here to attend.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Promotional Sponsors!
Challenging Standards of Success: The Neurodiverse Campus of the 2020s
March 15, 2023
Event Recording
As understanding of neurodiversity grows, colleges are becoming increasingly aware of the challenges faced by students who are neurologically different (neurodivergent). In this interactive forum, a panel of neurodivergent students and staff discuss their experiences both in and with higher education and help participants challenge their own ideas of what success "should" look like.
Panelists:
- Anthony Boyer (he/him), Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach, Alverno College
- Marita Peterson '16 (she/her), Marketing Manager, Business Development Pros
- Lukas Wenner (he/him), Access & User Engagement Manager, Rock Valley College
- Georgia Wise (she/her), Biochemistry Student, Alverno College
Moderator: Jac Sinclair (they/them), Instructional Design & Science Librarian, Alverno College
Contact the Assessment and Outreach Center with any questions at alverno.outreach@alverno.edu or 414-382-6020.
Meet Our Moderator and Panel
Faculty Members
Jac Sinclair
Moderator
Alverno Reference Librarian

Jac Sinclair
Moderator
Alverno Reference Librarian
Jac Sinclair (they/them) is a disabled, nonbinary, and neurodivergent librarian and doctoral student at Alverno College whose work focuses on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Jac's doctoral research examines the challenges neurodivergent people face in employment in higher education and explores ways institutions can improve their hiring, onboarding, and evaluation practices to create more equitable environments. Lately, they've been spending their free time knitting sweaters while watching Murder, She Wrote with their cat, Callie.
Anthony Boyer
Panelist
Alverno Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach

Anthony Boyer
Panelist
Alverno Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
Anthony Boyer (he/him), serves as Alverno College first-ever track & field coach, while also leading the cross country team during the fall season. Prior to Alverno, Boyer served as an assistant coach at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He also started Avila University, in Kansas City, MO, first ever track and field team too. William Woods University in Fulton, MO was were Boyer got his first chance at being a Collegiate coach.
Boyer attended University of Missouri-Kansas City as a student athlete and was later inducted into the UMKC Athletics Hall of Fame in February of 2017. Boyer earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Entrepreneurship. He also holds a Level 1 USATF Coaching Certificate and a USATFCCA Strength & Conditioning Certificate. Following his collegiate graduation, Boyer trained to be a professional track athlete in the 400-meter hurdles, and was ranked as one of the top athletes at the time before getting into coaching.
Marita Peterson '17
Panelist
Alverno Alumna

Marita Peterson '17
Panelist
Alverno Alumna
Marita Peterson ’16 (she/her), A graduate of Alverno College, Marita Peterson is an innovative, growth-seeking, ambitious self-starter. A lifelong learner and tech native, she is always seeking new information and new skills. She has two cats, collects typewriters, creates art, writes stories, and plays video games. She is also a champion of neurodivergence, both in her professional and personal life, using the strengths her ADHD and Autism give her to advocate for those who think a bit differently.
Lukas Wenner
Panelist
Access and User Engagement Manager
Estelle M. Black Library, Rock Valley College

Lukas Wenner
Panelist
Access and User Engagement Manager
Estelle M. Black Library, Rock Valley College
Lukas Wenner (he/him), is the Access and User Engagement Manager of the Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College, where his time is divided between managing the institution’s archives, leading student engagement at the library, and promoting the adoption of OERs across campus. Outside of his work, Lukas spends the bulk of his time raising his two young sons with his wife in Rockford, Il.
Georgia Wise
Panelist
Alverno Student

Georgia Wise
Panelist
Alverno Student
Georgia Wise (she/her), grew up in a small town of Kingman, Arizona. In high school, she was homeschooled through ASU prep digital and during that time took 36 college credits through ASU before graduating. While here at Alverno College, Georgia is an active part of the school's community. A student athlete on the soccer team, she also works in the library and at athletic events, and attends campus events. Georgia is currently an Achievers Scholar and a Biochemistry major wanting to become a surgeon.
Funded through a grant from the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation.