You might have heard about the on campus, but did you know that there are STOP Bias Peer Educators? New this year, the has three incredible students working to help end bias on campus by talking with their peers, spreading the word about STOP Bias and the educating others on how to . Meet Natalia, Brian and Isa!
If you see them on campus, be sure to say hi! If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to email stopbias@syr.edu. The is a resource for any member of the SU community to report bias related incidents. Learn more on the .
Brian Aitken ’20
Major: Political Science and Public Relations
Favorite Spot on Campus: Hendricks Chapel
Favorite Binge-worthy Show: Scandal
Favorite Meme: “I don’t know who this man is.” –Keke Palmer
Favorite Animal: Elephant
Why did you become a STOP Bias Peer Educator?
“As an RA, I’ve seen a lot of biases within my own building and in my own community. I just think that it’s import that that we’re getting the word out. People should know this is an issue on our campus that’s being under reported. I think this role is a good first step to start the conversation with everyone.”
What’s your favorite part so far?
“Other than the fact of working with really great people, I love that moment when you see somethings clicks with a student during presentations. Students will respond and ask questions and actively try to get more information. That moment to me is just really important. It means that there are people on this campus that want to learn more about their own biases and how to navigate those conversations on campus.”
What do you want people to know?
“I think it’s really important for students to know that there are not only resources but the people at those resources actually want to help and are trying to do good work to get things changed on this campus. These people are really passionate about what they do and they genuinely have student’s interests in mind”
Natalia Rice ’20
Major: Sociology and English and Textual Studies
Favorite Spot on Campus: Carnegie Library
Favorite Binge-worthy Show: Shameless
Favorite Meme: Kermit the Frog sipping tea
Favorite Animal: Koala
Why did you become a STOP Bias Peer Educator?
“I’m really passionate about diversity and inclusion work and equal opportunity. I’ve been a SEM 100 peer facilitator since its launch last fall, and have sincerely enjoyed introducing other students to these topics. When I saw the opportunity as an undergraduate to join this initiative on campus, it really stood out to me. So I applied!”
What’s your favorite part so far?
“Running around campus and putting up posters… Just kidding! I really enjoy going to Deka’s [Manager of Bias Response and Education] presentations and looking forward to leading them soon. You can see firsthand just in this educational setting the first steps to getting people to think differently and maybe be more inclusive of others. I think that that’s one of the most beneficial things that’s happening right now: the campus wide awareness that STOP Bias is accomplishing.”
What do you want people to know?
“Bias prevention and response resources exist. I think another big part of this initiative is creating visibility for a highly under-reported issue. In the past students have been skeptical that they have resources that can do something about what they’re dealing with or help them resolve something they don’t feel comfortable talking about. I want them to know that there is the STOP Bias portal, and if they want to learn more about the process and resources available to them, they can always reach out.”
Isa Borrero ’20
Major: Education, Policy Studies, Human Development & Family Science
Favorite Spot on Campus: Schine (The Maxwell study pods during the Schine Renovation.)
Favorite Binge-worthy Show: The Office
Favorite Meme: Galaxy Brain
Favorite Animal: Giraffe
Why did you become a STOP Bias Peer Educator?
“I thought that it was really cool that its focus was in education. I’m in education so I’m hoping to teach people how to think differently and think bigger. I felt that this was such a cool opportunity to use my skills to benefit the school before I leave.”
What’s your favorite part so far?
“I love the people. I’m looking forward to meeting even more. I’m really excited to do tabling to talk to people and get the word out. Giving our own presentations will be great too.”
What do you want people to know?
“Be genuinely kind. Work really hard to do that. The more kindness you put out the more there will be in our community. We have a tiny little bubble here, and that’s pretty lucky. So it’s a good place to foster community. If people are genuinely kind to each other, it can help a lot of the problems on campus.”