April is a unique month for me and my Ubuntu family at large, in which we support our neighbors. April is known for its rich cultural and historical significance, such as April Fool’s Day, Easter, Earth Day, National Deaf History Month and National Minority Health Month. A lot has happened this month because I was everywhere on campus and in the Vermont community.
Apart from presenting to our capstone / senior nursing students (PRNU 240), our doctoral students in the Biological Data Science (BilDS) Seminar program, and our junior nurses’ class (PRNU 2113) on different topics around inclusive excellence, I also went out to the community of Vermont to support others. I really enjoyed working with our UVM MSW capstone students’ class (SWSS 5160) on the topic of Theoretical Foundations of Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Their work with me showcased that they are postmodernist; transformative social work students and they engage with deconstructing discourses that normalize and naturalize whiteness and any ism, especially ableism. I was glad to answer some difficult questions as I prepared them with some practical ethical tools to be used on the field. Here is a fun picture of us taken by Professor Cho:
(Photo above: Sefakor poses with graduate social work students in the College of Education and Social Services.)
It is true that April marks the transition to spring and is often associated with renewal and rebirth, but it is also the month that some of us morn and grieve our dear ones in our different cultures. It has been nine years since we lost my daughter and eight years since we lost my mother. The departure of these two strong women in my life made me strong and a different person all together. As one of our African proverbs says, “smooth seas do not make skilled sailors,” which means challenges are necessary for growth and development. So, I grew up. These pains become my passion as I continue to work with people. After my own processes of healing, I became part of the grief counselors in our community/culture offering support and guidance to individuals and families navigating the process of loss. This personal experience led me to meet some students at Landmark College, a private college in Putney, Vermont, designed exclusively for students who learn differently, including those with a learning disability, like ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges. According to them, our moment of open discussion around disability, different types of grief, the stages of grief, and finding hope and healing was a life-changing moment for them in this month. I could not have spent this month better than this.
(Photo above: Jill Hinckley, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Education at Landmark College (left), Sefakor (center), and (right) Marc Thurman, Director for the Center for Diversity, Identity, and Belonging at Landmark College)
One of the topics that I was asked to discuss with our final year doctoral students before they become professionals was Gaslighting and Greenlighting, a topic I love teaching in my Race and Racism class (EDSF 1010G) with my personal experiences to give them more clarity of these terms. I was moved by some of their naivety, especially how some of them never heard the terms before. In view of this and because this month is also National Minority Health Month, I deem it very necessary to educate us all about this simple topic. I really like how my colleague Dr. Rivka Edery captured this very succinctly.
“Gaslighting and greenlighting: two terms that may seem similar, but their impact on relationships and personal well-being couldn’t be more different. As a professional it’s essential for us to understand and differentiate between these behaviors, not just for our own growth, but also to better support those we work with. Gaslighting is a subtle yet dangerous form of psychological manipulation. It distorts an individual’s reality, making them question their perceptions, emotions, and even their sanity. It chips away at their self-confidence and erodes trust in their own sense of truth. Over time, it can create a toxic environment of doubt and emotional dependency, leaving lasting scars on the psyche.
On the flip side, greenlighting is the healthy, empathetic counterpart. It involves validating someone’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences, creating a foundation of trust and mutual respect. Greenlighting nurtures self-confidence, fosters emotional independence, and facilitates growth within relationships. It encourages open communication, where every voice is heard, respected, and uplifted. As mental health professionals, we must work toward replacing harmful gaslighting tactics with greenlighting behaviors in our personal and professional environments. When we practice greenlighting, we create a space for our clients, peers, and loved ones to thrive.
Remember, healthy relationships aren’t about manipulation; they’re about understanding, trust, and empathy. By embracing the art of greenlighting, we can foster growth, resilience, and self-worth in ourselves and others. Below is a picture of some of the examples:
(Photo above: A diagram with examples describing gaslighting vs. greenlighting.)
With my best wishes,
Sefakor G.M.A. Komabu-Pomeyie, Ph.D.
Director of IE/Lecturer
What Has Been Done:
A lot has happened this month. Below are the updates:
Kaleidoscope CNHS Student Club: Our CNHS student club, Kaleidoscope, has successfully completed their discussions about the CNHS Strategic Plan and provided their suggestions/proposals to the leadership team for implementation.
CNHS and LCOM Partnership Calendar: The partnership calendar is almost ready to be launched next month. Stay tuned for more details.
Wellness Corner: We now have a Wellness Corner in our newsletter.
CNHS Staff Updates: Our CNHS staff is back on track with some exciting news. Read more about their updates below.
Welcome to the New CNHS Wellness Corner
We heard you on the CNHS wellness survey. Many of you mentioned that you were not aware of the available wellness offerings. In partnership with UVM Employee Wellness and the Center for Health and Wellbeing, we are starting the CNHS Wellness Corner to bring more wellness to you.
Health and Wellness Coaching
UVM offers free Health and Wellness Coaching for all employees and students. Set meaningful goals for yourself—and meet them—with the support of a health coach. You can work on self-care, time management, work/life balance, and much more.
Students: Including PhD, masters, undergraduate, medical, and other graduate student programs, can make an appointment with Micaela via the online wellbeing portal or by calling Student Health at 802-656-3350.
Individual Sign-Up: Sign up as an individual and we'll create a team for you!
The CNHS Wellness Committee
Staff Corner
At the April 8 meeting of the CNHS staff, we are pleased to report that all departments, except one, were represented. Thank you to the attendees for supporting and sharing. We are deciding upon two activities to add to the Inclusive Excellence (IE) calendar. Staff Appreciation Day in September was of particular interest to the group, with ideas such as music from diverse cultures, tea tasting, and a volunteer day.
Carly Duran-Marrero, Inclusive Excellence Educator, presented a list of workshop topics that she could offer to the group. All the topics sounded interesting, and we are considering "IE: Key Terms & Ideas 101" and "The Case for IE." In May, we will dive into the CNHS IE strategic plan to determine if there is anything missing and ensure that all voices are represented.
In closing, please continue attending the CNHS Staff Inclusive Excellence meetings as we work to build a structure that supports college-wide equity of voice and inclusive excellence for all staff members across all units.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 13, from 11:00 AM to noon in Room 301, Rowell. We ask that one or more staff members from each unit be represented if available.
Karen Morris Program Support Rehabilitation & Movement Science
(Photo below: Staff attending the April meeting.)
Faculty Corner
This month, the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science had two stories about their work around Inclusive Excellence which were covered by UVM news and local channels.
The first one was Pro Bono Services to School-Age Youth: A new initiative between UVM’s Physical Therapy program and Winooski’s school-based health center provides free physical therapy services to students, ensuring they receive necessary care without financial or access barriers, improving recovery and performance.
Please join me in congratulating our CNHS Inclusive Excellence student club, Kaleidoscope, for successfully submitting their suggestions and proposals to be included in our CNHS Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan. Thank you all for your hard work this semester. We truly appreciate your views and hope to implement them promptly and effectively.
From the faculty and staff to all our CNHS students: We wish you the best in your exams. You've got this! Yes, you can!!!
Education Justice Coalition Organization: Applications are now open for Camp Free to Be, a BIPOC-centered camp for youth aged 12-17 in Central Vermont. Registration closes on May 1st. The camp, taking place from August 17-21, aims to bring youth of color into nature, providing opportunities for connection, healing, and joy.
Panel Discussion: Finding Strength in Local Democracy and Human Connection: Join fellow UVM colleagues for a panel discussion with CALS faculty and special guests to explore local democracy, combat isolationism, and cultivate resilience through civic engagement. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged, but an online option is available. Please register to reserve a seat or receive the virtual viewing link. Register here
Webinar: Checking In with the Skill of Intercultural Communication: Intercultural communication is essential for fostering collaboration and mutual respect. Join us on May 14 at 12:00 p.m. ET for a webinar focusing on strategies to support this vital area of student learning.
