Laura Briggs is professor and chair of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies at the University of Massachusetts and an internationally known historian of reproductive politics, who in recent years has spoken on the subject of adoption in Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and Mexico City.

Miliann Kang serves as both an associate professor of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and the Director of Diversity Advancement for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Discussing her approach to research and her work in the classroom, Professor Kang explains how her Midwestern upbringing, sociological background, and experience at other U.S. colleges and universities all inform her current practices.

Keith Barnicle is District Representative for the 2nd Congressional District in Massachusetts and aide to Congressman Jim McGovern. He was also an English major at UMass Amherst.

Symone Green is widely involved across campus. From participating in the Five College PoetryFest to community-based learning in HFA classes, Symone finds herself creatively and socially engaged daily. She discusses her experiences as an English major, an ESL instructor, a poet and songwriter, her involvement on the UMass campus, and her excitement for both the present and future.

Barbara Zecchi, director of the Spanish and Portuguese program in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, discusses her latest projects, why teaching is so important to her and why every student should learn another language.

Working alongside other experts—both in his field as well as in the community—Joseph Krupczynski serves as an Associate Professor of Architecture but extends his practice far beyond the university walls. He walks us through his community partnerships, commitment to language and culture, and their relevance to his new position as Director of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning (CESL).