University News
Center for Study of Masculinities and Men's Development Open House May 3
April 30, 2012
MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University's new Center for the Study of Masculinities and Men's Development (CSMMD) will host a "meet and greet" open house from noon-3 p.m. Thursday, May 3 in Horrabin Hall, room 30. The event is open free to the public and light refreshments will be served.
According to Sean Dixon, assistant director of the CSMMD, the center recently secured office space, which serves as the hub for the development of its staff projects and research initiatives. The office also serves as a safe space for students, staff and faculty interested in having conversations about masculinity and gender justice, he noted.
"We're incredibly grateful to the University for finding a space for us," said Dixon, who is also an instructor in Western's educational and interdisciplinary studies (EIS) department. "Our new office has already played an instrumental role in our ability to build relationships among staff members; perform and plan our bystander intervention training program research; and spread the word about CSMMD and critical information on masculinity to the masses via our website and social media efforts."
Dixon noted that during the open house, the CSMMD staff will showcase the progress of the center's research initiative focused on effective bystander intervention training programs.
"The initiative will provide thousands of Western Illinois University students with definitions of sexual assault, an understanding of how and why it occurs and tools to safely intervene in situations that may result in rape, sexual assault or violence. Research findings will offer suggestions for change, providing universities across the nation with a model for an effective and intentional training program," he said.
The meet and greet event will also highlight its student group, Men Advocating Nonviolence, as well as the implementation of the group's event, "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" (which was held April 21 at WIU), and CSMMD's relationship with the University and its constituents.
Tracy Davis, CSMMD director and EIS professor, noted that staff members at the CSMMD have been busy this semester meeting with campus and community groups to find ways to collaborate.
"We're also building the infrastructure of the CSMMD, including an advisory board and campus leadership structure," Davis explained. "While our focus is on men's development and masculinities, we're committed to engaging in scholarship, programming and professional development related to the broader goals of gender equity and social justice. Anyone interested in these goals and working with a fun group of faculty, staff and students should look us up."
The Center for the Study of Masculinities and Men's Development at WIU is the institution's newest academic and developmental department. According to Davis, the CSMMD aims to provide quality scholarship, advocacy and programming that positively influences college men's development in a manner congruent with gender equity and social justice. Visit the CSMMD online at www.wiu.edu/coehs/eis/csmmd/.
For more information contact Davis at (309) 298-1183 or via email at TL-Davis1@wiu.edu, Dixon at (309) 318-1760 or via email at SP-Dixon@wiu.edu or Jennie Hemingway at (309) 298-1690 or via email at JA-Hemingway@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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