I had the greatest pleasure to accept an invitation by a friend to attend an event called National Day Festival of Oman at Gallaudet University last night. I learned a lot where they discussed about their culture, history, and traditions. It was a big smashing success! It was packed Ole Jim house. Oh, the food was delicious and spicy, too! Five stars!
Student Body Government (SBG) president and Graduate Student Association (GSA) Vice President attended the event which played a positive leadership—of course, Dean of Student Affairs, Dwight Benedict did not attend the event which was not surprising. It was same thing that last March 2017, Dwight did not attend Islamophobia Within Deaf Community event either. Same thing he did not attend Graduate Student Orientation breakfast in 2013 I was part of—and show how much lack of his leadership looks like today. Lack of transparency included.
Gallaudet University exists in a world that desperately needs effective academic leaders like Dwight to show us the way of higher learning. Gallaudet University is unique because it is where ASL is best used. There are so many arenas of scholarship in that university that cry for betterment, and we need the visions of insightful leaders to paint better pictures of possibility for us to strive for. We need a new Dean of Student Affairs to inspire us, excite us, and energize us toward our commitment of cultural appreciation in higher education that will make a difference for humanity.
Gallaudet University needs a Dean of Student Affairs who can open the door to discussion about cultural appreciation in higher education, who encourages signing up and signing freely, welcoming input, feedback, and ideas without setting up committees of a few. Gallaudet University needs a Dean of Student Affairs who expects action and execution with urgency in an atmosphere where everyone feels safe making on-the-spot comments. For example, how to challenge Islamophobia.
Is Dwight the type of change agent? Did he understand the importance of his leadership to appreciate and realize Deaf people from all walks from life that had difficulty lives?
There is a good quote by wiser Dwight—Dwight D. Eisenhower,
The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army or in an office.”
–JT
Copyright © 2017 Jason Tozier
This text may be freely copied in its entirely only, including this copyright message.
...And the Truth Shall Set You Free. 
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