ARCHIVE

ARCHIVE

History of D&I at Stevens
(2017 – 2022)

“In an effort to preserve the work student organizers and I accomplished at Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) from 2017-2021 (and to combat erasure through the weaponization of time by higher institutions), below is a short history through my lens as an Undergraduate Student at SIT.”

Founded by Montalvo in November 2018, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Student Government Association's goal is to “to represent the needs and concerns of marginalized people within the Stevens student body, as well as to serve as an outl

Founded by Montalvo in November 2018, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Student Government Association's goal is to “to represent the needs and concerns of marginalized people within the Stevens student body, as well as to serve as an outlet for advocacy, activism, and education in relation to diversity and inclusion.” The Committee was born out of a frustration by Montalvo with a voting campaign pushed by the Institution targeting minority women on campus.

The Committee’s first initiative was the push for an Intercultural Center: a Center that would house offices, resources and a dedicated safe space for marginalized students, staff and faculty. pictured here is their survey push at the university’s mi

The Committee’s first initiative was the push for an Intercultural Center: a Center that would house offices, resources and a dedicated safe space for marginalized students, staff and faculty. pictured here is their survey push at the university’s midnight breakfast.

On February 18, 2019, Montalvo & the Committee passed Proclamation P-19S-001 of the 106th Senate of the Student Government Association, “A Case and Justification on the Creation of an Intercultural Center.” The 26-page proclamation outlined the need

On February 18, 2019, Montalvo & the Committee passed Proclamation P-19S-001 of the 106th Senate of the Student Government Association, “A Case and Justification on the Creation of an Intercultural Center.” The 26-page proclamation outlined the need for a Center, along with data from more than 850+ undergraduate students.

Outside of this initiative, the Committee also took part in educating campus through workshops and informational campaigns.

Outside of this initiative, the Committee also took part in educating campus through workshops and informational campaigns.

In April 2019, the Committee held Pride After Dark: an event centered around queer empowerment and de-stigmatizing important elements of queer culture. The event had over 200 attendees and was the first of its kind at Stevens.

In April 2019, the Committee held Pride After Dark: an event centered around queer empowerment and de-stigmatizing important elements of queer culture. The event had over 200 attendees and was the first of its kind at Stevens.

Along with Pride After Dark (pictured here), the Committee had formed itself into a solidified structure: a chairperson (Montalvo) and a group of 6 identity-based “advocates” appointed by the chairperson.

Along with Pride After Dark (pictured here), the Committee had formed itself into a solidified structure: a chairperson (Montalvo) and a group of 6 identity-based “advocates” appointed by the chairperson.

In less than a year, the Committee had won its first award for Advocacy Program of the Year at the Student Leadership Awards Brunch in 2019. Montalvo would also received the award for Sophomore of The Year.

In less than a year, the Committee had won its first award for Advocacy Program of the Year at the Student Leadership Awards Brunch in 2019. Montalvo would also received the award for Sophomore of The Year.

Pictured here is Montalvo amongst the 2019 Student Government Association Cabinet and select Senators.

Pictured here is Montalvo amongst the 2019 Student Government Association Cabinet and select Senators.

In 2019, Stevens announced the creation of Gianforte Family Hall–a building name after Montanan Governor Greg Gianforte. Montalvo, along with other organizers, decided to hold a demonstration condemning the building being named after an anti-gay supp

In 2019, Stevens announced the creation of Gianforte Family Hall–a building name after Montanan Governor Greg Gianforte. Montalvo, along with other organizers, decided to hold a demonstration condemning the building being named after an anti-gay supporter, and to send a message about student centricity to stevens administration. [More info can be found by clicking this photo.]

The protest took several weeks of planning, including logistics of the demonstration, the proposal to be presented at the demonstration, outreach to various students, staff, faculty and alumni to join the demonstration, and sign making.

The protest took several weeks of planning, including logistics of the demonstration, the proposal to be presented at the demonstration, outreach to various students, staff, faculty and alumni to join the demonstration, and sign making.

On Dec. 10, 2019, Montalvo (along with other student leaders) held the demonstration condemning Gianforte Family Hall. The demonstration was held the same night of the building’s private opening to Stevens Board and administrators.

On Dec. 10, 2019, Montalvo (along with other student leaders) held the demonstration condemning Gianforte Family Hall. The demonstration was held the same night of the building’s private opening to Stevens Board and administrators.

The demonstration amassed over 100+ attendees, and was the first protest held on campus in several years. [A video of the entire demonstration can be found by clicking this photo.]

The demonstration amassed over 100+ attendees, and was the first protest held on campus in several years. [A video of the entire demonstration can be found by clicking this photo.]

[The Student Centricity Reform Proposal, which was presented at the demonstration to Stevens administration, can be found by clicking this photo.]

[The Student Centricity Reform Proposal, which was presented at the demonstration to Stevens administration, can be found by clicking this photo.]

In February 2020, the Intercultural Space was unveiled to the student body. This was a huge win for the committee and the underrepresented campus community at large. It should be noted, however, that this was a huge down-size from the original ask of

In February 2020, the Intercultural Space was unveiled to the student body. This was a huge win for the committee and the underrepresented campus community at large. It should be noted, however, that this was a huge down-size from the original ask of a "Center" meant to house offices, resources and programs dedicated to historically-oppressed members.

Stevens created an in-depth article about The Intercultural Space’s opening. Snippet: “The creation of the Intercultural Space is the culmination of a broad student effort initiated by Business and Technology junior Nasir Anthony Montalvo who ident

Stevens created an in-depth article about The Intercultural Space’s opening. Snippet: “The creation of the Intercultural Space is the culmination of a broad student effort initiated by Business and Technology junior Nasir Anthony Montalvo who identified a need for a dedicated space on campus for underrepresented students back when he was a sophomore in 2018.”

Due to the mass amount of success the Committee had achieved, the Committee was more easily able to pursue wider initiatives. [Their instagram detailing some of these initiatives can be found through clicking this photo.]

Due to the mass amount of success the Committee had achieved, the Committee was more easily able to pursue wider initiatives. [Their instagram detailing some of these initiatives can be found through clicking this photo.]

In 2020, the Committee partnered with Stevens’ Black Affairs Council to support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black community on campus. The movement was called #StevensForSolidarity. [Click picture for more info.]

In 2020, the Committee partnered with Stevens’ Black Affairs Council to support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black community on campus. The movement was called #StevensForSolidarity. [Click picture for more info.]

In the initial outcry from Minnesota and the murder of George Floyd, the Committee started a campaign to fundraise money for Minnesota Freedom Fund. The Committee was able to raise $5000 for the organization through an Instagram Story campaign.

In the initial outcry from Minnesota and the murder of George Floyd, the Committee started a campaign to fundraise money for Minnesota Freedom Fund. The Committee was able to raise $5000 for the organization through an Instagram Story campaign.

After the success of the first fundraising challenge, the Committee began a new challenge titled #MatchDNI. The campaign’s goal was to challenge the rest of the sSevens community to fundraise for #BLM. 31 organizations participated, and they raised a

After the success of the first fundraising challenge, the Committee began a new challenge titled #MatchDNI. The campaign’s goal was to challenge the rest of the sSevens community to fundraise for #BLM. 31 organizations participated, and they raised a combined total of $11,760.78, more than double of what the Committee raised alone.

Aside from fundraising, the Committee pursued different initiatives to mobilize campus towards change. One initiative was Phone Trees–whose goal was to begin steps towards defunding police forces, including those on their very campus.

Aside from fundraising, the Committee pursued different initiatives to mobilize campus towards change. One initiative was Phone Trees–whose goal was to begin steps towards defunding police forces, including those on their very campus.

For PRIDE, the Committee held a three-day event at the end of June to commemorate Black trans lives and celebrate the queer community at Stevens. the event included an informational campaign, IGTV feature and ZOOM celebration. The Committee also unve

For PRIDE, the Committee held a three-day event at the end of June to commemorate Black trans lives and celebrate the queer community at Stevens. the event included an informational campaign, IGTV feature and ZOOM celebration. The Committee also unveiled a new logo created by @_mauryrose.

Montalvo completed their duties as Committee chairperson in December 2020 in preparation for their graduation in May 2021. Chairperson duties were handed off to Vivian Touch-a sophomore at the time, and Race & Ethnicity Advocate for the Committee.

Montalvo completed their duties as Committee chairperson in December 2020 in preparation for their graduation in May 2021. Chairperson duties were handed off to Vivian Touch-a sophomore at the time, and Race & Ethnicity Advocate for the Committee.

Since Montalvo’s graduation, the Committee has taken on new leadership and continues to be a success. in April 2022, DNI was able to host its first in-person Pride After Dark since the pandemic. They greeted over 350+ attendees. Montalvo attended as

Since Montalvo’s graduation, the Committee has taken on new leadership and continues to be a success. in April 2022, DNI was able to host its first in-person Pride After Dark since the pandemic. They greeted over 350+ attendees. Montalvo attended as a keynote speaker.