¹û¶³´«Ã½

I was recently asked how many Building On Our Momentum (BOOM!) events I have attended and realized I’ve attended all nine of them! I’m very proud to be part of a community that has supported this important annual event for so long. I’d like to reflect on some memorable moments of my history with the BOOM! events.

I remember the very first BOOM!, where I got to participate in breakout sessions with one of my very good friends who works in Dining. Since our paths don’t often cross when we’re at work, it was awesome that ¹û¶³´«Ã½ College supported an event that allowed us to be in sessions connecting and learning together across departments and across campus.

My second memory is when came to speak, and his story hit very close to home for me. Bailar discussed what it was like growing up with the social norms of a girl and then having to learn the new social norms of a men's locker room. His talk really helped me understand some of the challenges transgender people face that cisgender people don’t have to consider every day.

Another memory was of our own Mount Holyoke faculty speaking about their experiences being people of color. They told of being stopped by local police for no reason other than their skin color and about living in fear when their families were out for the day, not knowing if they would be targeted — possibly brutally — and not return home at the end of the day. 

I’ve been at the College for a little more than 20 years now. I worked in Admissions for my first seven years and then transitioned to , where I’m currently the head of business intelligence. I also serve as one of the co-chairs of Staff Council. My primary role in LITS is very much behind the scenes. However, I take every opportunity I can to volunteer for events where I can interact with our amazing students. Growing up, women in STEM disciplines were unusual. So for any science, technology, engineering and math students who still experience this stereotype, I hope to demonstrate that women can excel in both information technology and leadership positions.

Even though, as a woman, I am well aware of stereotypes and have experienced them myself while pursuing my career, BOOM! highlights how different identities face different challenges throughout every aspect of their lives. This is why I appreciate the BOOM! speakers and presentations that bring us together as a community to stop and think, learn from each other, challenge our stereotypes and mindsets and allow us to gain new perspectives and insights.