Former Staff Updates | Oberlin MRC

Former Staff Updates

	Rashné Limki, A/PA Community Coordinator, 05-06 I’m enrolled in an M.A./Ph.D. program in Ethnic Studies at the University of California, San Diego, where I spend most of my time reading, thinking, reading and, sometimes, dreaming of sleep. My interests include critical feminist and women's studies and the international human rights regime. I am currently in the process of setting up my home away from home (away from home) in my graduate student office which has become a hub of, both, sophisticated intellectual and ridiculous inane conversations. When not being a student, I enjoy exploring the city of San Diego and appreciate the constant presence of a blue (though not always sunny) sky. I am excited to have finally learned to keep with up San Diego drivers and to, sometimes, beat them at their own game.

	Courtney Patterson, Africana Community Coordinator 05-06 I'd like to extend a hearty thank you to the MRC for continuing to make me feel welcomed and like a part of the family! This summer I was hired as the Faculty-in-Residence of Afrikan Heritage House and am very excited about my new position. I continue to busily work with students, staff and faculty on programming surrounding the Africana community, but now I just happen to live and thrive in Afrikan Heritage House :) There have been major changes to the House: recent renovations, a renewed House spirit, and a group of truly connected and dedicated people working collectively. All these things fuel my work to ensure that Arikan Heritage House is the space that it is meant to be. In addition to fulfilling my job roles, I am also working on applying to and attending graduate school, hopefully including the disciplines of African American Studies, Sociology, and Women's Studies. Thus, if anybody knows how to master the GRE, please contact me (seriously)!

	Andrea Stokes, LGBT Community Coordinator, 05-06 Andrea Stokes, has begun her first year as a Communications graduate student at Purdue University. She plans to combine her interest in LGBT issues with research into mass media visibility and representations. She continues many of the professional relationships that were forged during her time in the MRC, including one with filmmaker Eliza Greenwood. The two plan to co-present a paper on allyship and group representation at the February 2007 Lavender Languages Conference in Washington DC. Andrea also plans to present an analysis of Noah’s Arc, television’s first black gay drama. About her time at the MRC Andrea says, “It was the best preparation for life outside of Oberlin and critical analytic work in academia.”

	Kate Eubank, LGBT Community Coordinator, 03-05 Kate works at the Mikva Challenge as their Development Director. Mikva Challenge’s mission is to develop the next generation of civic leaders, activists and policymakers by providing young people with opportunities “to act, think, live and breathe politics.” Kate sees this job as “a nice follow-up to her work at Oberlin, and a great challenge to be in charge of raising $750,000 a year!” She also loves Chicago. “I’m having a great time exploring the city of Chicago, aided by the ever-fabulous Nina Sanchez. I definitely miss Oberlin and all of my brilliant and passionate students, and I’m glad to hear that the MRC is as fantastic as ever this year. I always love news from Ohio, and anyone who wants to get in touch with me is welcome to email me at Kate.Eubank@gmail.com.”

	Trina Jackson, Africana Community Coordinator, 03-05 Trina has been hired by an archeology firm for a dig on a sea island off the coast of Georgia. She has also conducted research at the site files at the University of Georgia and is currently on her way to Kent Island off the coast of Maryland for another dig. She says “It’s long hours and dirty, a lot of travel and a good mix of inside and outside work. The big plus is someone else makes my bed every day. Can you say housekeeping and room service? Holla!” Trina is planning to attend graduate school next fall probably at Emory University, but in the meantime she is enjoying this adventurous time as she “indulges her love for archeology, travel, G-d and dirt.”

	Tracy Ng, A/PA Community Coordinator, 03-05 Tracy is the Membership Organizer for the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum in Washington, D.C. She wants everyone to know her softball team is undefeated and that she has finally gotten back into field hockey. Of her experiences so far in Washington, D.C., Tracy says “I’m still adjusting to life in the little big city and it still astonishes me that I can walk down the street without running into people I know. I’ve definitely developed an appreciation for Oberlin and I miss the people dearly.”

	Nina Sanchez, Latino/a Community Coordinator, 03-05 Nina Sanchez is currently working as a College Counselor with the Teen Connection Program at Gads Hill Center in Chicago. Teen Connection is the only comprehensive after-school college preparatory program serving low- and average-achieving youth in Pilsen, a predominantely Mexican American/Mexican immigrant community. The program's goal is to support our 7th-12th grade fellows as they pursue enrollment in a post-secondary institution by providing much-needed homework assistance, mentoring, academic enrichment opportunities, and college counseling services. In addition to her work with fellows, Nina also works in partnership with other community agencies to provide bilingual college and financial aid workshops and resources for parents. Outside of work, Nina has been spending alot of time with family, attending great art shows and concerts, and working on her line of Latino-inspired handbags and home accessories.