Ja’Wana is a resident assistant for the Paul Robeson living-learning community located in Wessels Hall on the College Avenue Campus. A junior from North Plainfield, N.J., she is majoring in Africana studies with a minor in education.
On her interest in education…
I always really loved kids. My teacher used to say, ‘little kids can have big problems’. I’ve been drawn to [issues surrounding] self-esteem because so much of who we are built in those first years. Do you believe in yourself? Can do this? How do you feel about the world? Are you accepting of people? You also hear about injustices in education systems, urban education, special education, and charter schools. If people say education is the key to success, are we all able to access that education? That’s the base of people’s futures.
On joining the Paul Robeson Living-Learning Community…
Paul Robeson’s dad actually founded the church I go to so I knew a little about him before I applied. Part of what’s great about our community is having people in the same classes with you. You also start going to the same events and you live together. It gives you the opportunity to build real-life friendships. The peer mentor was my roommate the past two years. A lot of my friends are from Paul Robeson.
Growing up you don’t really learn a lot about black culture. You really don’t know anything outside of the civil rights movement and slavery. Being able to immerse yourself, understand your place in the world, and live in the culture is really cool. There are also so many resources. Dr. James Whitney, the assistant vice chancellor for undergraduate academic affairs, and Dr. Ramsamy, who is the chair of the Africana studies department, are both heavily invested and get us involved with equity programs. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t join this community. Being here is like a family.
On decision to become a resident assistant…
What really drew me in was the opportunity to be a leader and be there for people. I also really like to help people with their paths and want to help direct them. Teaching and everything I want to be about is tied to caring for people. Being a resident assistant is next level. Your problems are my problems. There are times when people knock on my door at 3 a.m. because they need to talk, but that’s ok because you grow to love and care about them. You want to talk to them and are willing to help. It doesn’t feel like a job because I just want to be here for them.
On programming…
We held a program called Privileges, Packing, and Pizza. We talked about privileges, packed toiletries for Puerto Rico, and collaborated with Black Lives Matter. We played a game, where I put up different identities in the room such as race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, and ability. Then I asked them questions. Which identity feels most oppressed? Which are most threatened? Which are you most proud of? Which one brought you the most joy and which one embarrassed you? People really opened up and learned things about each other while they were vulnerable. They were really open with their stories. It was really heartfelt and I got emotional hearing what they were saying.
On attending the Black Doctoral Network Conference in Atlanta, Ga…
I am part of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. It’s for historically underrepresented, low income, or first-generation college students who want to conduct research and pursue a doctorate program. I went to the Black Doctoral Network Conference and presented my research on the historical and social cultural context of educational inequities in urban school systems. My research was about how Brown v. Board of Education seemingly failed to accomplish what it set out to. Schools are more segregated than ever. In urban school settings, we still have a lack of resources and quality teachers. As we integrated over time, special education was also used as a form of resistance [to integration]. People of color were put in special education and I wanted to explore what that looked like and how that has played out. What kind of education are they getting today? Why are they not receiving the same quality of education?
On campus involvement…
I am a representative for the Rutgers United Black Council and am part of the Liberated Gospel Choir and A.Life, another faith based organization. I’m also the volunteer chair for the Rutgers Rotaract Club, which works with Rotary International.
