In this episode our host Sheena Carey talks to Kristina Callahan, Residence Hall Director, graduate student in the MBA program, set to complete this summer. Kristina identifies as a Hispanic Latino woman and she shares her story. 

Episode Highlights: 

03:15 – My mom is a strong independent woman who said: Education is the one thing that no one can take away from you. And I held on to that.  

03:58 - My campus tour was looking for a job. The only priority I had was: which building was the cheapest to live in and where can I find a job. 

06:08 – My college experience was shaped by me trying to figure out who is Marquette, and should I be here and can I be here. 

12:00 – There’s tons of women of color who are fighting the fight, who are showing us how to take care of ourselves, who are reminding us that we matter. 

18:15 – You are Marquette, it does not matter your race, your ethnicity, your religion, your background, your experiences. You are here for a reason. 

Interview: 

01:14 - What is the story you’d like to share today? – I’d like to share the story of how I got onto my path. 

01:27 – How do you identify? – I am Hispanic Latino woman.

01:32 – Where do you come from? – I come from strong independent women, from a long line of loud Hispanic families and a biracial divided household. 

01:55 – Are you bilingual as well? – No. I understand it. It’s something I want to work on. 

03:00 – How does your identity form the choices that you’ve made or the path that you’ve taken? – Working multiple jobs, working late hours, and not having the typical Marquette experience made me understand some of the challenges that happen on our campus.

07:35 – As a graduate student now, do you feel any more Marquette? – I wish I can say yes. I think it’s hard. 

08:09 – In what way does the theme of the mural project resonate for you? – To me it’s finally seeing myself on campus. 

09:07 – What do you feel has been Marquette’s impact on women of color? – I have had wonderful mentors at Marquette. I found the RA position; I found the office of residence life and that shaped my career. 

10:30 – What about your sense of self-worth. In what ways has Marquette impacted that? – I think it’s taking me a long time to come to terms that I get to be Marquette and I can still be upset that we’re not where we need to be.

11:45 – What women of color have served as inspiration for you? – Michelle Obama, AOC, Sonia Mayor, the list is endless. 

12:10 – As a woman of color, what impact would you like to have on other women of color? – I want them to know they are not alone. They do not have to fight this battle alone.

13:20 – What are your hopes for the future? – We need to first recognize the harm before we can move forward. 

14:15 – What are the ways in which Marquette can acknowledge and in fact own what they’ve learned? – They have just to say it, to acknowledge that we are not the safe campus. 

15:57 – Do you think the Marquette has the infrastructure needed to address this issue? – No, this week, and many other weeks have highlighted that. 

17:45 – What would you like our community to know about you and your journey? – I’m here. I’m here if you need someone.

Contact information:

Jacki Black

pronouns: she/her/hers

Associate Director for Hispanic Initiatives

Marquette University

454 Zilber Hall | PO Box 1881 | Milwaukee, WI 53201

414-288-4118

http://www.marquette.edu/diversity/

Credits:

The Our Roots Say That We're Sisters Podcast series was recorded and produced by Podcast Town (www.podcasttown.net)