• May include identities like transexual, transvestite, queen, nonbinary, and genderqueer within its lineage, while still attending to the difference within each category. Professor O’Brien explained that for the past 10 years, as part of this research, they have been using Digital Storytelling. It is a workshop practice where people are taught to use digital media to create short audio-video stories, usually about their own lives. Trans storytellers need to reconcile many different versions of personal history, so this method of storytelling helps to foster and promote community bonds through experiences. There is so little research in rural experience, so rurality became a focus. Professor O’Brien then showed the TransRural Lives website landing page and explained that it is important to have a public place. The tagging system and story map were shared. Throughout the project they used archival research. Feedback on the website, which was unsolicited, has been positive. Students have been engaged in this project for the past two years doing transcription, assisting with videos, research, and analyzing narrative data. Professor Tester presented on “Transgender and Gender-Diverse Older Adults’ Identity Work Across the Life Course” at the Pacific Sociological Association meetings in San Diego in March 2024. He summarized some of the papers and research they will be doing in the future: • How do transgender older adults map their experiences given historical and ongoing barriers to gender-affirming care? • How does rurality in the Pacific Northwest and the lack of community therein shape their experiences? • How have their networks shifted throughout their lives, particularly as their gender identities have shifted over their life course? • Is a linear developmental narrative even possible for trans older adults with lengthy and complex relationships to past and present live(s)? • What alternative forms of narrativization might be necessary? • How are rural transgender older adults queering or transforming social constructions of gender and aging? CWU will host the Transrural Conference in October 2024 with events throughout the City of Ellensburg and campus. HACU Professional Development and USHLI Presentation Veronica Gomez-Vilchis, Interim Director of SLICE, and Tommy Fernandez, Program Manager of Slice presented on “Growing Lideres at CWU, which means “Growing Leaders at CWU.” Ms. Gomez- Vilchis explained that she and Arturo Torres, Registrar, participated in HACU’s six-month Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program. The focus of the program is to increase Latino/a/x leadership positions in higher education. As part of this program, they also attended the HACU National Conference in Chicago and the HACU National Capitol Forum. The Capitol Forum in Washington, DC was a culminating event. The group was able to meet with legislators to advocate for HSI funding and they celebrated their graduation from the program. She added that not only did they gain guidance and exposure to resources, but they also built community with colleagues across the country.
11 Board of Trustees Minutes May 16-17, 2024
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