Staff Spotlights — Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies

Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies

Exactly Where I Need to Be

Exactly Where I Need to Be

Guided by her mother’s resilience as a lifelong educator, Maggie spent over 15 years in public education, advocating for youth and families. During the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, her focus shifted toward deeper community care, leading her to pursue social work. Now, as part of the IWES team, she’s helping create safe, supportive spaces for students and families in New Orleans. Read her full blog to learn about how her mother’s strength shaped her path and how she's now empowering others in New Orleans.

Iman ShervingtonOctober 22, 2024Comment

Accountability in Research

Accountability in Research

Throughout the qualitative research process, it's important to think about those who the research will impact and how we relate to them. Considering the feelings, life experiences, and points of view for each - participant, team member, and an imagined audience - is an integral part of the research process because they all contribute expertise that can and should guide our research in a meaningful way. Read more about Amber’s thoughts on the key to performing ethical research that ideally does more good than harm.

Iman ShervingtonSeptember 10, 2024Comment

Walking Through Life with a Heart of Compassion

Walking Through Life with a Heart of Compassion

Meet Angela L. Lockley, our incredible Senior Program Manager of Community Engagement! Hailing from Hollygrove, this New Orleans native started her career in education, where her compassionate approach helped build relationships and create a community of understanding among her students. Now, she’s channeling that same heart into her work here at IWES, leading the charge within the Collective for Healthy Communities and the Coalition for Compassionate Schools project. Her guiding principle, “Walking through life with a heart of compassion,” truly embodies the spirit of our mission.

Iman ShervingtonAugust 13, 2024 Comments

The Magic of Improvisation: A Musician’s Journey to Public Health

The Magic of Improvisation: A Musician’s Journey to Public Health

Join Jemila as she takes us through her journey from childhood, through college where she decided to study music, to becoming a professional musician and working in the public health field. Don't miss out on learning about Jemila's inspiring path as she takes on a new role that beautifully combines her passion for music and her dedication to public health. Click here to read her full write up!

Iman ShervingtonJuly 16, 2024 Comment

¿Cómo se dice ‘healing’ en español?

¿Cómo se dice ‘healing’ en español?

Leticia has always been interested in languages and the power they hold to connect people from different cultures. In 2021, she began work as a Program Manager at IWES for Puentes Para Invitados, a project focused on both the healing and psychosocial well-being of migrant individuals — or guests/invitados — crossing the U.S. southern border, as well as providers serving migrants and newcomers in border state New Mexico. Little did she know managing this program would uncover a deep-rooted issue, both personally and professionally. Read her complete write-up to learn more about her journey to translate “How would you define healing?”.

Iman ShervingtonJune 10, 2024Comment

My Public Health Origin Story

My Public Health Origin Story

“Reflecting back on my public health origin story, I took a risk, a road less traveled, and I haven’t looked back.“ —Click here to read more about IWES CHC Program Associate’s, Lydia, experiences that led her to the field of social work.

Iman ShervingtonMay 14, 2024Comment

Finding Inspiration In Others

Finding Inspiration In Others

Mary has spent years working in the creative field and has had the opportunity to work with amazing collaborators who bring new and exciting ideas to the table. She believes that having a passion for what you do is key to unlocking creativity and finds great joy in collaborating with others. Read on if you want to learn more about Mary's thoughts on the importance of passion and collaboration in creative work.

Iman ShervingtonMarch 12, 2024Comment

Lean Into the Discomfort

Lean Into the Discomfort

For Meagan, IWES Program Manager, navigating the challenges of managing a multisystem program in the realm of social work and public health has been a profound lesson in learning to trust both herself and the work she undertakes. Read her full staff spotlight to learn more about how she’s come to understand that trusting oneself involves a continuous process of learning from discomfort and growth and how it has equipped her with the resilience and assurance needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of social work and public health.

Iman ShervingtonFebruary 20, 2024 Comments

What is a Trauma-Informed School, Anyway?

What is a Trauma-Informed School, Anyway?

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is receiving a lot of attention, and for good reason. But what is trauma-informed care and what does it look like in the school setting? From programming to policy, what TIC looks like in schools vary widely and the landscape is changing every year. Read on to understand what TIC is and the landscape in schools both in Louisiana and nationally.

Bridgette Ryan-OrtizMarch 30, 2021Comment

Talking to Your Kids About Sex Before the Internet Does

Talking to Your Kids About Sex Before the Internet Does

Porn is pervasive in our digital, and youth often learning about sex through this lens. As a Lead Associate for our Adolescent Health and sexual health educator, I know firsthand the importance of sex education to be able to understand healthy and safe sex and relationships - although many students are not getting this vital information. Learn more about how you can talk to your kids about sex before the internet does.

Lucy BlumbergMarch 23, 2021Comment

Staying Connected in the Virtual Workplace

Staying Connected in the Virtual Workplace

As working remotely because more of a permanent option for businesses, staying connected with colleagues is more important than ever. Read Christina’s piece to learn how you can maintain cohesion and connection on our team virtually.

Christina IllarmoMarch 16, 2021Comment

Applied Knowledge: From the Classroom to the Community

Applied Knowledge: From the Classroom to the Community

As the Mental Health Trauma-Informed Division Consultant at the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies, I support a variety of grant projects, focused on evaluating trauma-informed approaches to improve the mental health and mental well-being of underserved populations. Moving from research within academia to applying my knowledge and skills in the community has been a transition. Read on to hear more about my takeaways, from doing research within the confounds of a classroom to applying my knowledge in the community.

Alisha MonnetteDecember 22, 2020Comment

Full Circle: My Sexual Health Education Journey

Full Circle: My Sexual Health Education Journey

As an adult and as a sex educator, I now have the opportunity to reflect on my own sex ed experiences and bring to it what I wish I had. Learning and teaching the curriculum has taught me how much I missed and what mistakes I could have avoided if I had received guidance. I love informing people of the reality of what we teach here at IWES, especially addressing the misconceptions about STIs and our bodies. Read my blog to hear my reflections on my own sex ed experience as a new teacher.

Morgan WeberNovember 12, 2019Comment

The Moment When Life Clicked

The Moment When Life Clicked

As the Linkage to Care Coordinator at the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies, I understand the importance of linking clients to care, always being compassionate and client-centered. However, it wasn’t until 2009, that I embarked on the journey that would bring me fulfillment and joy and lead me to my current work. My blog details the moment when life clicked and connected me to work in the HIV/AIDS field.

Earnis CollierNovember 5, 2019Comment

Connecting to Your Work: The Moment I Knew I Wanted to Work with Youth

Connecting to Your Work: The Moment I Knew I Wanted to Work with Youth

To me, teaching is all about knowledge translation and ensuring that students can walk away fully grasping the information in a way that enables them to share the core concepts with someone else. Check out my blog to see how I put that theory into practice as a program coordinator here at IWES.

Ryann MartinekOctober 29, 2019Comment

When the (Healing) Work is Personal

When the (Healing) Work is Personal

Most people don’t know that I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. But my past has become something that has propelled me forward, rather than kept me down. Read on to hear about my journey with mental health and how it has fueled my passion to help those who struggle with trauma.

Bridgette Ryan-OrtizOctober 22, 2019Comment

Filling In the Blanks

Filling In the Blanks

This fall is my first foray into teaching sex education to middle schoolers. As I’ve transitioned into my role as a health educator, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what my teaching style will be and how I’ll be able to connect with my students. The best way I could think to prepare, aside from reviewing the curriculum, was to reflect on my own experiences with sex ed. What did I like? What did I dislike? What did I wish I learned growing up? See how I prepared to be a health educator at IWES and my own journey in sex education.

Tylar WilliamsOctober 15, 2019Comment

Prevention: Leading With Love

Prevention: Leading With Love

I firmly believe that for such a time as this, we are called to champion the cause of marginalized communities, amplify the voices of people of color, and work as agents of change to shift the paradigm of inequities in healthcare to reduce stigma and empower our communities to take charge of their sexual health. My priority as an HIV Testing Coordinator is to ensure that I not only welcome my clients with love, but lead with love, compassion, understanding, and empathy. To understand how I lead with love, make sure to check out my blog.

Nikki NapoleonOctober 1, 2019Comment

Love and Sex in the East and West

Love and Sex in the East and West

I am a second generation American and the only daughter of immigrants from India. I feel blessed to be born in America, and to be inheriting a deep, rich, and complex culture from my ancestors. However, growing up in rural Southern America was quite the challenge. To learn from my experiences growing up with two cultural influences, and how that impacts my views on sexual health, make sure to read my full feature.

Sheetal KandolaApril 2, 2019Comment

Life Outside the Bubble

Life Outside the Bubble

During my time as a program coordinator at IWES, I have learned a lot of valuable lessons. Some about how to unpack heavy questions students may have, others about how to be comfortable teaching such a “taboo” subject as sex ed, but perhaps the most revealing lesson I’ve learned is that in order to succeed as a health educator you must get out of the public health bubble. Curious what I mean by the “public health bubble?” Then make sure to check out my piece.

Iman ShervingtonMarch 26, 2019Comment