Meet A. J.
A. J. Kam (they/them) is a graduate student in the Master of Community Planning Program at Auburn University. AJ aspires to have a career where they can utilize design thinking- the systematic extraction, teaching, learning, and application of human-centered techniques- to address large social issues. Specifically, they design around the question, “How can we create spaces where people who want to be both supported and challenged in the collective pursuit of social equity feel a deep sense of belonging?” AJ has a specific interest in developing these spaces for BIPOC queer and trans folx.
Office of Social Equity Consultant, Oregon Department of Transportation
Current Commitments
Together with the Assistant Director of Social Equity, Nikotris Perkins, AJ is building this brand new unit of the department. Currently they are writing guidance for diversity working groups which includes information, resources, and activities so employees can learn and meaningfully integrate the material into their work. See here for examples.
Graduate Assistant, The Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
Currently AJ is reframing pieces of Biggio's flagship program on Course (Re)Design to emphasize classroom equity, equity mindedness, and the meaningful involvement of ALL students. They are also helping develop the a separate version of this program which will focus on courses concerned with environmental, social, and/or racial justice.
Master of Community Planning Student,
Auburn University
In the Synthesis Studio Course where students are tasked with combining knowledge and experience gained through the program's core and elective courses AJ made a heritage preservation plan proposal for one of Auburn's Black neighborhoods. See below for details. AJ is in their last semester of the program and will graduate on April 30th.
Career Highlights
Institution-wide LGBTQ+ Inclusion Plan
AJ designed an organizational structure centered around collaborative leadership and built upon an LGBTQ+ inclusion national benchmarking tool. With the help of several others, they refined the concept, pitched it to senior leadership, and worked with a diverse team to develop and execute a recruitment, selection, and on-boarding process. This initiative has involved managing over 50 people across 4 committees each tasked with researching and recommending an implementation plan for one item on the Campus Pride Index each year. This structure enables movement in multiple areas of the institution on an annual basis.
Embedding Equity into faculty Course (Re)Design Program
The Course (Re)Design is the Biggio Center’s flagship program that helps faculty create or re-envision a course in preparation for teaching in an active learning space. AJ redesigned the diversity module to instill an equity mindset, focus on specific classroom equity goals, and give faculty the opportunity to practice creating and utilizing community norms in a challenging discussion about identity. In addition to that, they embedded equity into the program by modifying existing activities to focus faculty's attention on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion that often arise.
eLearning Course on Gender Identity and Pronouns in Classrooms
This eLearning course was created in collaboration with subject matter experts and Auburn Online's Instructional Designers. It is designed to help Auburn University faculty and instructional staff develop knowledge around gender identity and implement trans-affirming practices in their courses and professional work. Through videos, interactive activities, and discussion boards, participants learn the policy context, background, important terms and concepts, and affirming practices related to transgender and gender non conforming people.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
AJ has trained over 1000 people on topics pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They tailor all of their trainings accounting for relationships, feelings, and cultural context and focus heavily on the WHY and HOW of the material. AJ has experience training adult learners from a variety of settings including higher education, government agencies, and healthcare, community, and religious organizations. They have also trained middle, high school and undergraduate students. Topics include but are not limited to unconscious bias, microaggressions, emotional intelligence, equity, privilege, oppression, allyship, intersectionality, environmental justice, gender, race, sexuality, age, nationality, and class.