Dr. Suzanne Chod talked Joe Biden’s pick for Vice President on ABC 7 Chicago and WGN
Following the summer months, the political energy of the year picked up speed ahead of the November General Election. In August, a new historical event took place when former Vice President Joe Biden chose Senator Kamala Harris of California to join him on the Democratic ticket, fulfilling his pledge to select a female running mate, making Harris the first Black woman ever to appear on a major party ticket. Biden’s selection of Harris lends racial diversity, gender equality and generational breadth to his campaign. It also represented a strategic decision by the 77-year-old former vice president to keep his ticket firmly within the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party.
Dr. Suzanne Chod, associate professor of political science, discussed the historic pick for VP on both WGN News and ABC 7 Chicago.
“It became apparent that this was a moment in time for Joe Biden and for the Democratic Party to say it’s time for this Party and this ticket represents the people that it actually represents.”
Click here to watch the full interview on either WGN News or ABC 7 Chicago.
Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo shared an update on the status of the Election 2020 on FOX 32 Chicago
While the buildup surrounding Election Night left many waiting on the edge of their seats, political science experts had inkling the fight for the White House wouldn’t be an easy success for either candidate. A few days following Election Night, a few states had still yet to be decided in the race for the White House. As the wait continued, Americans questioned who would be the first candidate to reach that electoral 270 for the election win. Dr. Caliendo weighed in on FOX 32 Chicago as to whether or not the wait for results was surprising and how long voters can expect to wait.
“We want to count all the votes and find out,” said Caliendo. “A number of states are not quite there yet. It has been a close race and we want to see how it plays out. At some point there will have to be some discussion in the inner circle for the president about when he is willing to concede but that should not be until enough votes are counted, and many media organizations are convinced the states are ready to be called.”
Click here to watch the full interview on FOX 32 Chicago.
Julie Carballo authored an article on first-generation students being an asset for colleges in University Business
Once the dust had settled and the Electoral College confirmed Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 General Election, Americans turned their focus to reflection and the positives that came out of this year-to-remember. For some, that reflection focused on goals and personal assessments, for other it was acknowledging that amid all the craziness, some of the best assets to life are individuals who make lasting impacts on our daily lives.
Julie Carballo, director of first-generation initiatives, penned an op-ed in University Business, discussing this form of reflection. The column, published Monday, December 14, focused on how institutions can adopt an asset-based viewpoint toward first-gen students and change the culture on campus.
Here is an excerpt from her op-ed:
For many years, the conversation surrounding first-generation students has been about the challenges and struggles they face. Even as colleges and universities are becoming more thoughtful about how to connect with and support first-generation students, the mindset too often is deficit-based, focusing on what they may lack rather than their strengths.
While it is true that first-generation students oftentimes do need some additional or different support than their peers whose parents have college degrees, first-generation students are an asset to any campus community. By the time they make it to a college classroom, they have already proven they can overcome obstacles and blaze their own trail. They are the type of students we all want to recruit to our institutions and to help prepare as the leaders of tomorrow.
Since we launched our initial first-generation program in 2008, North Central College has understood this about first-generation students. About 40% of our students are first-generation (higher than the national average) and we’ve used this asset-based viewpoint to change the culture of our campus.