Faces of Michigan
Name: Jennifer Hsu
Year: Class of 2008
Major: Neuroscience
Home: Michigan
Diversity has always been an important aspect of my life, so becoming involved in social justice work just seemed to make sense. One of the very first events I attended on campus was Gayz Craze, a Welcome Week program sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Commission of the Michigan Student Assembly, where I was first introduced to the LGBT community here at the university. Through my subsequent participation in the student organizations I was introduced to at Gayz Craze, I realized just how much there was still to do on the front of social activism and how much I wanted to be a part of it. There are so many impassioned students, faculty and staff at the university who are already working for social change at many different levels. Because of them, it is so easy to become involved and I was able to work directly with what I felt passionate about.
Classes that sparked my interest in social justice issues and the law:
- Fall 2004: Honors Introduction to Sociology SOC 195
- Fall 2005: Gender and the law WOMENSTD 270
- Fall 2006: Criminology SOC 368, Law and Social Psychology SOC 452
Co-curricular experiences I’ve been involved with:
- Fall 2004: LGBT Commission, Stonewall Democrats
- Winter 2006: Michigan Student Assembly (MSA)
- Fall 2006: Vice President E. Royster Harper’s Division of Student Affairs Advisory Board
I was first introduced to several student organizations directly through events such as Gayz Craze and Festifall. As I become more involved in organizations such as the LGBT Commission and Stonewall Democrats, I met students and staff who recommended me to other organizations they thought I might be interested in.
Advice I would give to students who are trying to navigate their way around the social justice and diversity related experiences at U-M:
Take the time to meet people and find out what they’re passionate about and why. There are so many different causes to fight for and experiences to be had at this university. Once you find something that sparks your interest, find a student organization (or create one yourself) and throw yourself into it. There are always going to be people working for the same thing that you are interested in, and being able to work together with other passionate people is the most effective way of getting anything done. Also, sign up for email groups to receive information about what different organizations are doing throughout the year. You will learn so much about what issues are important to others on campus, what they’re doing about it and how you can help.