Kamaria Porter, an assistant professor in the Penn State College of Education, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as an advocate for social justice and equity.
Porter's career path, from community organizing in Chicago to academic research at the University of Michigan, reflects a commitment to addressing systemic injustice.
When she was a community organizer in Chicago, she actively participated in social justice campaigns to expand access to health care and build affordable housing for marginalized communities.
Porter turned to academia and pursued a Ph.D. Her research at the University of Michigan focuses on sexual assault on campus, particularly its impact on Black women and non-binary students.
Throughout her doctoral dissertation, Porter wrote about the challenges survivors face when reporting incidents of sexual violence, highlighting the “barriers that perpetuate silence and isolation.”
“Sexual assault on college campuses is not just a statistic, it is a real reality for too many people,” Porter said. “My research sought to understand the unique experiences of survivors, especially those who have been marginalized and silenced.”
From interviews with survivors, Porter studied the complex realities that shape survivors' perceptions of available reporting options.
“For Black women, we felt that neither of these options would help address both the underlying issues of the sexual harm they experienced,” Porter said. “Survivors were silenced by the very systems that were meant to provide support and justice.”
Despite the lack of concrete initiatives within the School of Education, Porter's advocacy efforts remain tenacious. Through partnerships with her organization, she seeks to provide faculty with tools to create safer and more inclusive learning environments.
“I have always believed that education is a powerful tool for social change,” Porter said. “My journey from community organizer to academic researcher was driven by a desire to create a more just and equitable society.”
Porter said that as a member of the School of Education, all educators have a “responsibility to address the systemic issues that perpetuate sexual violence on college campuses.”
“Building this awareness into the curriculum is essential to fostering a culture of empathy, support and empowerment,” Porter said. “By incorporating discussions about consent, gender-based violence, and systemic inequalities into our curriculum, we empower students to become agents of change in their communities.”
With a focus on curriculum development, Porter envisions a future where students have the knowledge and tools to address complex social issues with “confidence and compassion.”
“There's still a lot of work to do, but I'm excited for the future,” Porter said. “Together, we can create a world where all students feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams.”
From hosting webinars for campus leaders to collaborating with outside organizations, Porter's influence extends beyond Penn State and believes that research needs to inform practice and drive meaningful change. Masu.
Porter also emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of awareness, empathy, and empowerment.
“Listen to survivors and believe their experiences,” Porter said. “Support survivors in ways that make them feel comfortable, such as listening and offering resources.”
Porter said it's important to educate students about observer intervention, which is a proactive approach to intervening in potentially harmful situations and preventing sexual assault.
In addition to individual action, Porter emphasizes the importance of collective advocacy and systemic change. She said the issue of sexual violence needs to be consistently addressed and institutions need to be held accountable.
“It is essential that we engage students in discussions about consent, gender-based violence, and systemic inequalities, not just during April but throughout the year. “We can work towards creating a desexualized future,” Porter said. violence. “
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