This panel explores community and identity through cultural preservation, archival research, and community engagement. Our work engaged with topics ranging from the community in predominantly Black church congregations to debates around publishing testimonies of human rights abuses. Through multidisciplinary approaches, we each investigated how advocacy, historical memory, visual cultures, and shared humanity inform contemporary understandings of history, society, and politics. From workshop engagement to filmed interviews, each of the panelists engaged in independent research, fostering community, skill-building, and storytelling as platforms for research in various fields. Attendees will gain insight into sociologically, historically, and culturally impactful research. They will also learn about skills and challenges that come with independent work, including time management, self-motivation, and building connections in the workplace.

Moderator: Latrina Denson, Associate Dean of Students, Community and Belonging

Strengthening Voices and Leadership Skills with FGLI Latinas
Nazareth Castro ’25 Sociology & Spanish double major, 5C Certificate in Latin American, Caribbean, & Latino Studies

Politics and the Past in Translation: Interning with the Memory and History Project
Ariana Samiee ’25 International Relations & Spanish major, Law, Public policy, & Human rights minor

Photography, the Katyn Massacre, and the Aesthetics of Fascism in Geopolitical Histories
Victoria Faulkner ’25 History & Studio Art double major

The Power of Community
Dana Seville ’24, Sociology major

Speaker name: Victoria Faulkner
Title: Photography, the Katyn Massacre, and the Aesthetics of Fascism in Geopolitical Histories
My project “Sontag, Struk, and War Photography: The Katyn Massacre as A Continued Study into Fascist Aesthetics,” explored the intersections of fascist aesthetics and photography in relation to the Katyn Massacre (1940) through a series of three short essays. Building on prior research conducted at the National Archives (DC), this study utilized archival materials and secondary literature to analyze the impact of war photography on national narratives about Katyn in both Poland and Russia. Each essay addressed specific themes, from the methodological approaches of Susan Sontag and Janina Struk on photography, to the interpretative differences surrounding the Katyn Massacre and the social and theoretical implications of photography as a critical medium. The work was conducted remotely, allowing me to enhance my research skills and develop my professional writing portfolio while allowing me to contribute to the developing fields of historical memory and visual culture writing.

Speaker name: Dana Seville
Title: The Power of Community
“The concept of Ubuntu, encapsulating the idea of ‘I am because we are’ or ‘humanity towards others,’ is deeply rooted in various aspects of life, including religious scripture and the teachings of influential figures like Desmond Tutu. This creative independent study explores Ubuntu as a guiding philosophy for interpersonal relationships, emphasizing empathy, respect, and understanding. It delves into the interconnectedness of Ubuntu’s six core tenets: interconnectedness, compassion and empathy, communalism, ethical living, restorative justice, and shared humanity, which are essential for its practical application.

My personal experiences within a liberal church community serve as a case study, illustrating how Ubuntu principles can be effectively implemented in a religious setting. This research aims to highlight the ways in which churches can/do align with the tenets of Ubuntu, creating a welcoming environment for all individuals, and ultimately, determining, whether this behavior reflects the teachings of the church and upholds the principles of Ubuntu.”

Speaker name: Ariana Samiee
Title: Politics and the Past in Translation: Interning with the Memory and History Project
I contributed to the digital humanities project Memory and History: Transforming the Narrative of the Spanish Civil War and Francoist Dictatorship, which seeks to make 250 hours of suppressed testimonies regarding these historical periods accessible online for both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences. I was responsible for transcribing and translating over 12 hours of interviews as well as conducting biographical research on interviewees. My experience provided me with several benefits, including an opportunity to build off of my prior coursework and recent semester in Madrid, an intercultural environment, resources to use in my current thesis research, and inspiring stories of resistance to political repression. However, it also presented challenges such as making connections while working remotely, collaborating with highly specialized graduate students and professors, and grappling with the ethical implications of translation and historical research. I will reflect on how my experience has influenced my academic trajectory and professional interests.

Speaker name: Nazareth Castro
Title: Strengthening Voices and Leadership Skills with FGLI Latinas
I participated in the virtual HOPE College Leadership Program, a summer program designed for FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income) Latinas attending postsecondary institutions. The program focused on developing soft skills, using our political voices as Latinas with varying intersecting identities, and completing a group Capstone Project that focused on an issue affecting the Latino community in the United States. While this experience wasn’t a traditional undergraduate internship, the workshops helped me unlearn certain cultural expectations imposed on Latinas and reinforced my strengths for current and future professional settings. This program enhanced my career-readiness through teaching me valuable skills, improving my ability to collaborate effectively within a group to achieve a shared goal, and gave me the opportunity to network with other Latinas.