WCC Offering Free Race And Ethnic Relations Virtual Learning Series To Community

ANN ARBOR – In response to recent national and local examples of systemic racism and injustice, Washtenaw Community College is offering a free, five-part Race and Ethnic Relations virtual learning series.

“The call for change has been heard loud and clear. Now it’s time to start creating that change, and we strongly believe that starts with education,” said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. “It’s our responsibility as a community college to bring that education to our residents. We hope many of them join this important conversation.”

Titles, times and dates for the five one-hour GoToMeeting workshops include:

• Knowing Your Status: Examining Privilege, Noon on Thursday, July 9
• Racial Microagressions, 1 p.m. on Monday, July 13
• Recognizing Race-Related Stress, 2 p.m. on Friday, July 17
• Persevering through COVID-19, 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 23

Registration and descriptions of each workshop can be found at wccnet.edu/race-relations.

The series will be led by Christina Herbin, a WCC Behavioral Sciences adjunct faculty member who also works as a private practice mental health therapist for adolescents and young adults and as a research assistant at the University of Michigan, focusing on community mentoring and positive youth behavioral outcomes.

“I hope to spark dialogue through exploration exercises in the areas of race, racism and privilege,” said Herbin. “I hope attendees can recognize learning about race and racism is a continual process and we can take an active role for the betterment of our society. The goal is to look within to find the connection to the content. Once aware of that connection, whether it’s from a personal or societal level, we all can work together to take action.”

Herbin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Boston College. She built the content for the series upon psychological findings of acclaimed researchers studying race and ethnicity.

“Psychology is a universal way to share knowledge, since many concepts are applicable in everyday life,” Herbin said. “We will explore the relevancy of the research findings in relation to what’s happening now in our society and in everyday life.”

For more information about Washtenaw Community College, visit www.wccnet.edu.