On March 4, 2022, Douglass hosted Women’s Day at Douglass, an annual college-wide event in honor of International Women’s Day! The afternoon sought to recognize the work of local and global gender equality initiatives while offering Douglass students a chance to connect.
The Africana: Gender and the Black Diaspora House, formerly named the Africana House, is an important component of both Douglass history and current college programming. The community is one of seven globally themed houses in the Douglass Global Village Living-Learning Community. Members of the community live together in a common residence hall, take a house course, and explore research interests in relation to the Black American, African, and Caribbean cultures in New Brunswick and beyond. Together, they learn about the contemporary issues facing members of the African Diaspora and explore Black feminist thought through cultural manifestations of identity politics.
Internationally renowned artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed is the 2021-2022 Douglass Artist-in-Residence. The program is a unique collaboration between Mason Gross School of the Arts and Douglass’ new Faculty Fellows initiative, which brings cutting-edge professionals to campus to work hands-on with Douglass students. Rasheed’s workshops and seminars offer a cohort of Douglass artists a direct path to experiences as artists, scholars, and activism. For student artist and filmmaker Lance Margarett O. Panes DRC’23, working with Rasheed has been a dynamic experience that empowers her creativity and encourages her artistic passions across a variety of mediums.
Since graduating in 2013, Qi Guo (Cathy) DRC’13 has spent her professional life pursuing an integral Douglass ideal—equitable and accessible education for all. Guo’s advocacy for education on behalf of women everywhere has led her across the world, from China to the United States to Africa and beyond.
Shelley Merhav DRC’23 is a biomedical engineering major, volunteer EMT, and active Douglass community member. This month, she will serve as a student moderator on the Post-Graduation Education Opportunities panel at the Christiana Foglio DC’84 Douglass Career Conference. In this role, she will help facilitate conversation between panelists and students as they discuss how to navigate graduate school opportunities and pathways.
On October 23, 2021, Douglass College hosted the classes of 2020 and 2021 for an in-person celebration of their graduations. While the classes each had a virtual ceremony to honor their achievements, this in-person event allowed staff, graduates, and loved ones to meet face to face to celebrate Douglass excellence. Dean Jacquelyn Litt, Alexandra Anderson DRC’20, and Veronica Bido DRC’21 all gave remarks to congratulate the graduates and reflect on their unique journeys.
Tasmiah Choudhury DRC’11, a senior clinical scientist for Merck, knows the value of passing down her expertise to current Douglass students to help them achieve their goals. For the past several years, Choudhury has been deeply involved in Douglass programs. From her work as an externship site mentor to her role as a Douglass Career Conference speaker, Choudhury has made a transformative impact in the lives of Douglass students.
After a year and a half of remote instruction due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students across the University have returned to campus for in-person courses. Douglass is moving forward with in-person instruction with the safety of the college community at the forefront of its strategy. Throughout the fall 2021 semester, Douglass will offer students a hybrid schedule of both in-person and remote opportunities.
The Douglass Global Village’s La Casa, will be holding "Picnic Con Los Amigos," a celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, on October 10, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Jameson Courtyard. At the picnic, there will be Bachata lessons, giveaways, and a keynote speaker. All Douglass students are invited to attend.
Meryle Mahrer Kaplan was in my first class on the first day of my first week at Douglass College. English 101 with Robert Crozier. I got a C—Meryle probably got an A. We were friends for 57 years. It is hard to find the words to describe a lifelong friendship. They are indistinguishable from getting up in the morning and looking at yourself in the mirror. No matter where, when, or who you are with or what you are doing, a lifelong friend is beside you. She knows your parents and the backstory that made you who you are and for me, Meryle accepted every mistake in judgment, every talent unsung, every effort failed and every milestone no matter how forgettable.
Douglass is excited to welcome the Class of 2025 to campus. At Welcome Days this past month, incoming students were introduced to the College community through activities, student panels, and more. Hear from members of the incoming Class of 2025 below!
