With a diverse background in violence, lesbian and prison issues, the new senior program coordinator for the Intergroup Relations Center plans to share her ideas with ASU.
Lori Girshick started with the IRC on Aug. 31 and has since begun to get a feel for her new environment.
The IRC works with many campus communities to help people better understand each other, including students, campus organizations and faculty. It provides retreats, presentations, consultation and other programs on campus.
Growing up with segregation and witnessing the Vietnam War made Girshick want to "contribute to a better community," she said.
Girshick earned a doctorate from Boston College in sociology and taught the subject part time while working for non-profit organizations dealing with domestic violence. During that time, she also reached out to the lesbian community.
"I have had a foot in both academic and community work for most of my career," she said.
Girshick also has published three books and has another on the way. Two of her books are related to prison-treatment issues.
Her third book is about woman-to-woman sexual violence -- she was the first person to write on that subject.
With her position in the IRC, she will help bring together campus communities and faculty.
The Muslim Student Association has had strong ties with the IRC since Sept. 11, said Rema Nasaredden, a senior business major.
The IRC "has always been really supportive," said Sumaya Abdul-Quadir, a former member of MSA. She said that the IRC has always helped them with their Islam Awareness Week and the group is looking forward to working with Girshick.
"I have been following equality issues for a long time," Girshick said.
Girshick has worked heavily with violence programs and on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues with Tucson residents. She hopes to bring her expertise to Tempe.
While in Tucson, she decided to attend a diversity summit in which she met members from the ASU IRC. There, Girshick found out about the job she now holds.
Although she will work with some students, her position is "more geared toward working with faculty." she said.
Staff members will be her focus, but the IRC works with all campus communities.
Girshick is "a perfect match," said Dr. Delia Saenz, director of the IRC. Saenz said Girshick brings different experiences that will contribute to the IRC.
"We are very happy to welcome her," Saenz said.
In her first days on campus, she was excited to start "combining some things that I've been doing with some things already here," Girshick said.
"I plan to stay here a long time," she added.
Reach the reporter at amanda.m.gonser@asu.edu.
