INA, Ill. (April 3, 2025) — Presentations and guest speakers aimed at promoting civic engagement throughout the campus and community were on tap as Rend Lake College celebrated Cultural Events Week March 24-27.
Dr. Katherine Martin, Writing Systems Around the World
Visitors learned about writing systems around the world from Dr. Katherine Martin, an associate professor in linguistics at SIUC and head of the APPLES (Applied Psycholinguistics in Literacy, Education, & Second Language) Lab. Language is seen as one of the defining characteristics of humans, and written language one of humanity’s greatest inventions. Dr. Martin discussed written language, the structure of writing systems, variations in the psychological and social approaches to literacy around the world and the logistics of digital texts across languages.
RLC's Charlotte Loss, Community and Corporate Education Specialist, and Sarah Draper, Student Success and Wellness Coordinator, provided an opportunity for students to relax and create on Wellness Wednesday. Draper started this session with a short talk about art therapy – what it is, how it is used and her personal experiences with art therapy, both as a social worker and as a patient in an expressive arts group. Then, Loss led a session of stretching to strengthen the mind-body connection.
Dr. K. Allison Hammer, Masculinity in Transition
Dr. K. Allison Hammer, the Coordinator of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Southern Illinois University, presented on their book, Masculinity in Transition. Dr. Hammer discussed the concept of toxic masculinity by exploring its historical root systems and cultural expressions, as well as some of the history of masculinity and how it has been imagined otherwise
Kuba Malec, Short History of Queer Community in Poland
Kuba Malec, a Ph.D. candidate at the Polish Academy of Sciences and lecturer at SIUC, visited RLC during Cultural Events Week. Before coming to Southern Illinois, Malec served the public at the Polish Ministry of Finance. Malec shared a short history of the queer community in Poland, tracing the development of the LGBTQ+ community in Poland by identifying its victories and challenges.
Darrell “Wimbo” Wimberly
Also that week, RLC welcomed Darrell “Wimbo” Wimberly, a pastor, community activist and retired Marion High School Dean of Students, who shared his story of coming to Southern Illinois and finding a love for working with students at Marion High School. He is now a leader in community-building through Connect 360, a non-profit that strives to improve the communications, relationships and actions of racial and ethnic minority populations through policy development, education, mentorships and work programs.
Jelena Nikolic-Khatatbeh, Can You See Beyond My Hijab?
Jelena Nikolic-Khatatbeh, a sociology instructor and researcher committed to understanding and addressing social inequality and minority rights, shared her presentation, “Can You See Beyond My Hijab?” Nikolic-Khatatbeh explored the employment experiences of Muslim women in Southern Illinois, focusing on the challenges they face due to wearing the hijab. She drew from interviews with 15 Muslim women from diverse professional backgrounds, and discussed “hijab-blindness” and the societal perceptions associated with it. Nikolic-Khatatbeh discussed how these women navigate workplace discrimination, employ coping mechanisms like positive thinking and strive to be seen beyond their hijabs.
Chasity Cosby, My Journey as a Black Woman Veteran and Nontraditional Student
Cultural Events Week culminated with a presentation from Chasity Cosby, a veteran, mother and nontraditional student, who shared her journey of transitioning from military service to college while juggling motherhood and career ambitions. From the challenges of adjusting to academic life to the unique barriers veterans and marginalized students face, she discussed the realities of this path, the importance of representation and how institutions can better support students like her.
RLC thanks all the presenters who shared their knowledge with our community, the Cultural Events Committee for organizing the week and all the students, faculty and staff who participated.
To learn more about the upcoming Cultural Events Week in the Fall 2025 semester and ways you can get involved, contact Sarah Draper at drapers@rlc.edu or call 618-437-5321, ext. 1264.
