School of Social Transformation Blog

Our blog is the place to hear about upcoming and past events, news, and commentary from our team. 

Pitchfork hand with Tempe background

Advice for 2024-25 First-Year Students

Shelby Roberts
 Let’s be real - starting your first year of college is a terrifying prospect. Whether you’re eager to explore that thrilling college independence or not quite ready to go off on your own, there is more than enough for the average student to worry about. So, here is a guide curated by a second year ASU student, chock full of advice to give you a sense of peace as you make this potentially challenging (but exciting!) transition. We’ve got you. Get…
Genocide Awareness Week graphic

Genocide Awareness Week: Student Panel Recap

Hailey Torborg
On April 15th, students, faculty and guests gathered for the Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation Genocide Awareness Week Conference. This event is a series of lectures, exhibits and storytelling by distinguished survivors, scholars, politicians, activists, artists, humanitarians and members of law enforcement. The week-long event seeks to address how we, as a global society, confront violent actions and current and ongoing threats of genocide throughout the world, while also…
Students presenting their cases

Justice studies students wrap up semester with real world problem solving

Hailey Torborg
Justice Studies professor, Gregory Broberg collaborated with the Better Business Bureau and ABC15-Let Joe Know, consumer help-line, to give his students the opportunity to practice justice in the real world. This course allowed student to work with Phoenix metropolitan community members and help them solve their issues with local businesses. The course reflects the ASU charter by assuming responsibility for the economic, social and cultural health of the community. To wrap up the…
photo of Crystal Jackson

SST new faculty: Crystal Jackson interview

Hailey Torborg
New to the School of Social Transformation and Arizona State University, we welcomed a new faculty member to our team this Fall! Crystal Jackson has lived in a few states throughout her professional career, but is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and is excited to be back in the southwest. To get to know her better, we decided to ask a few questions. Tell us about your professional and academic background.  "I never meant to become a professor; I started at the Community…
José Patiño presenting

A visit from ASU alumnus, José Patiño, on Aliento: transforming trauma into hope and action

Hailey Torborg
José Patiño joined Gregory Broberg's "Intro to Justice Studies" course and began the conversation with his family history. José moved from Mexico to the US when he was six years old and early on in his childhood, he experienced many scenarios that undocumented families face; one example being his father getting deported and his family being separated.   Following an overview of Patiño's childhood, another ASU alumna, Abril Valenzuela, also shared her struggle growing…
Students engaging in studies

New student guide: tips and advice

Hailey Torborg
The start of a school year can feel overwhelming, especially when it's your first year attending a university. New home, new people, new environment. It's a big change all at once. Your first year can be scary, but as soon as you walk the stage on graduation day, you'll be wishing you could do it all again.   These first few years of your college career are important because they can help set you up for success in the long run. Here's a few tips from a graduate to help set…
Left to right: Ava Rice, Professor Linton and Kelsey Roberts

LGBTQ+ zine presentation recap

Hailey Torborg
As Kelsey Roberts and Ava Rice wrapped up their undergraduate degrees, they concluded their LGBT studies undergraduate certificates with ‘Zines’-- a form of print and/or digital media that is a truncated magazine, and draws inspiration from the feminist riot grrrl movement in the 1990s. ‘Zines include  images and text with the intent to educate or display current socio-political topics and art.. As they both advocate for LGBTQ+ communities, they are also both students of the…
2023 APACE attendee group photo

APACE 2023 students build their confidence

Hailey Torborg
Asian Pacific American Studies faculty member, Brandon Yoo, and his team come together every summer to put on an event called the APACE Academy. Standing for Asian Pacific Advocacy, Culture and Education Academy, this week long event is designed to educate and empower local Arizona Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) high school students. It is a unique program in collaboration with local AAPI community organizations and ASU faculty and staff that started back in 1995 to…