Our eighth pair of the Fall 2018 Semester highlights Emily Chei ’19 and Jon Avery ‘19. This power pair is currently facilitating a gender section. Here’s what they have to say about IDP:
Co-Facilitators Emily ’19 and Jon ’19
Why IDP?
Emily: I decided to take IDP because I had heard that it was a transformative experience, and it ended up surpassing all of my expectations. IDP has helped me to better understand my identities and vastly improve my self-awareness. It has introduced me to people from incredibly diverse backgrounds, and it has given me, and countless others, a platform to embrace and understand these differences. Taking the class, and now being a facilitator, means being a part of a group of people who truly care about the Cornell community and work endlessly toward a larger social impact (and are just all-around amazing people). IDP is such a unique force for promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, and it is so rewarding to be a part of it.
Jon: IDP provides a space where participants are equipped with the tools needed to communicate across differences in identities, backgrounds, and beliefs. It is truly remarkable seeing this program tackle some of the greatest social dynamics and barriers on college campuses today. I also love IDP because it teaches students about the content, process, and real-world application. Students not only learn about themselves and the world they live in but also about how to apply this knowledge to create change.
What is your favorite thing about your co-facilitator?
Emily: Jon is one of the most insightful people I know. He has the ability to think through the complicated dynamics that we face in class and in our everyday lives. His thoughtful questions drive our dialogue and challenge everyone to think deeply about the topics that we discuss. He truly cares about the world around him, and his passion for these issues constantly inspires me. But above all, Jon is ridiculously kind and funny. His support has given me the confidence to become a better facilitator, and I am so grateful to have experienced this semester with him.
Jon: I’ve been so lucky to have met Emily. Not only is she a great facilitator but she is also just a great person to be around. She invests a lot in her role as a facilitator with the ultimate objective of pushing her students to dig deeper. Emily finds fun ways to engage in dialogue and bring energy to the dialogue space. She also has a great sense of direction. She takes the time to carefully determine what students need and then finds a creative way to provide it. I’ve been fortunate to work with someone that brings so much energy and effort to the space.