Spring 2026 Strive Workshops Inspire Inclusion and Connection

Campus Stories May 8, 2026

This spring, ��Ƶ’s Strive program brought the community together through student-led workshops focused on connection, identity, and social issues. From discussions on environmental sustainability to cultural traditions, participants engaged in thoughtful conversations and interactive learning experiences. The program continues to reflect this year’s theme, Building the We: Responsibility, Connection, and Growth.

��Ƶ’s spring Strive workshops provided meaningful lessons and moments for reflection. Created by the Director of Community and Equity Alexis Dinkins and Assistant Director of Community and Equity Alex Holmes, Strive is a yearlong series of equity-focused programming facilitated by community members. This year, the initiative aligns with the 2025–26 community theme: Building the We: Responsibility, Connection, and Growth.

On February 27, Emily Billilo ’27, Bella Lacroix ’27, and Johan Perez-Lemus ’27 hosted “Up First,” a Strive workshop focused on the first-generation experience—students who are in the first generation in their families to attend college or high school. The workshop included an interactive agree-or-disagree exercise, which prompted discussion on topics such as access to academic resources and family support. The facilitators also gathered feedback from students as they plan to launch a new affinity group, TGI: The Generational Impact.

On April 22, five workshops took place across campus. In recognition of Earth Day, Environmental Representatives Xander Grossman ’26, Lauren Ong ’26, and Pearl Yu ’26, and Elyn Tao ’27, hosted “Environmental Displacement and Injustice: How Climate, Resources, and our Changing World Shape Communities.”

The student leaders shared local examples, including the 1930’s displacement of four towns to create the Quabbin Reservoir and the end of East Boston’s decade-long fight against an electrical substation project in 2024. Participants then considered a hypothetical scenario—an energy substation proposed in the small town of Concordia—and discussed how they would respond. Students considered cultural norms, emerging technologies, population growth, environmental justice, and connections to home.

Students Lila Abruzzi ’26 and Sam Mehl ’26 hosted “Trans Athletes in Sports: Rights and Inclusion,” a roundtable discussion about trans athletes of all ages, from elementary school recreation leagues to college and professional competition. The student leaders shared case studies of individual athletes and examples of legislation on the subject before inviting participants to share their perspectives.

Advocacy for Women’s Autonomy hosted the panel “Reproductive Healthcare Access is Autonomy,” with two guest speakers: a breast cancer oncologist and a Planned Parenthood representative. Students Lily Kim ’27 and Ellie Adams ’27 moderated the conversation. Participants gained insight into how public policy shapes women’s healthcare decisions and engaged speakers with thoughtful questions about their professional experiences.

Leaders from the South Asian Student Society and the Multi Ethnic Student Organization Anisa Brown ’26, Ronan Dutt ’27, Caroline Espinosa ’26, and Daniel Ng ’26, co-hosted “Chai: Colonialism and Culture,” while Eliya Ganot ’26 and Jacob Robbins ’26 of the Jewish Student Organization hosted “Let My People Dough: The History of Jewish Bread.” Both workshops explored how food and tradition can deepen our cultural understanding through culinary tastings.

This year’s Strive workshops covered topics ranging from intersectional feminism to cultural traditions. Together, these distinct sessions reflected the community’s commitment to learning through dialogue. By engaging with complex issues, students and faculty continued to build a more connected school community.