Academic Staff Spirit of Community Service Award - Lisa Golda, theatre and dance
As a teacher and as a performer, Theatre and Dance Associate Lecturer Lisa Golda has used her voice to create equity by amplifying the voices and stories of others.
Her work in and out of the classroom was recently recognized with UW-Stevens Point's Academic Staff Spirit of Community Service Award.
Whether it is through teaching musical theatre and classical vocal techniques at the university or privately, theatre and arts integration residencies that create original performances; writing, creating and hosting alternative radio segments with arts activists; or working with avocational singers as a church music director, Golda uses her voice-teaching and acting work to educate audiences and herself about a playwright's perspective on human truths or greater social issues.
Realizing that actions speak louder than words, Golda asked to be involved in anti-racism efforts on campus. She offered to chair the newly created Advocacy Allyship and Access committee and created an anti-racism action plan as an outline to hold the Department of Theatre and Dance accountable for making actual systemic change.
The committee looked at four factors: faculty recruiting and hiring; artistic inclusion; community engagement; and student concerns. They explored where racism can emerge and what can be done now and in the future. She shared the progress made and actions taken in May. Biweekly sessions were focused on anti-racist educational topics, and many faculty attended.
They laid the groundwork to begin changing the culture, which begins with changing our outlook, Golda said. She encourages people to be open, not defensive about the term "racist," and to be actively anti-racist. "We are in a position to influence -- culturally, academically and socially."
The committee's efforts were in partnership with Lindsay Bernhagen, director of the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL), and former director of Diversity and College Access Sam Dinga, as well as the constant effort and support of Professor Michael Estanich, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Previous to UW-Stevens Point, Golda participated in a multi-faceted project "The March" about the civil rights movement with Chicago director and creator Alan Marshall.
"I do my best to be a compassionate catalyst for change, microphone for others, and encourager of potential through my art forms," Golda said. "I'm looking forward to devised theatre work for the next two years as a CITL Faculty Fellow. There is still so much to do, but at least we have gotten our feet on the path."
See also:
Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service Award - David Barry
Carolyn Rolfson Sargis Award - Tina Rajski
Excellence in Teaching Award - Lauren Gantz, Kyle Herrman, Kate Kipp, Erin Speetzen
University Scholar Award - Chris Diehm
University Service Award - Jennifer Collins, Shelly Janowski, Kathryn McGarry
Outstanding Work Performance Award - Janette Baumann, Corinna Neeb, Lisa Nelson, Heather Springer
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