Enhancing the Marist Educational Experience: Guest Speakers Share Their Perspectives

Three speakers recently met with students virtually, sharing their perspectives and enhancing what students are learning in the classroom.

Dr. Kathryn Hamrlik’s Faith & Gender class had the opportunity to hear from attorney Ms. Grace Starling ’12 about sexual assault laws on college campuses and her work advocating for women and sexual assault survivors. Dr. Hamrlik said, “Since the class is all senior girls, we had been talking about the statistics around sexual assault and gender-based violence, especially on college campuses. I wanted to highlight Grace’s work around changing laws in Georgia and advocating for survivors. Grace had an incredible journey enacting legislation during her first year of law school, and she continues this work as an attorney.”

She added, “It was wonderful to hear from Grace because she was a Marist student not that long ago, and she too had taken the Faith & Gender class as a senior. The students were inspired by her conviction to take action against an injustice that she saw in our society, and she offered great advice about college as well.”

On February 12, Social Studies Department Chair Mr. Matt Romano ’95 moderated a virtual visit with Ms. Margaret Mullins ’06 during activity period. More than 90 people from Marist tuned in to hear Ms. Mullins, who spoke from Washington D.C., where she works for Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. In this role, she handles foreign policy issues and serves as a military legislative assistant. Ms. Mullins discussed her educational background and the interesting path her career has taken, including her time as a Russian analyst in the United States Army.

She also shared her experience related to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. Ms. Mullins was in Washington D.C. but not working at the Capitol at the time. She described a frightening, escalating situation that was surreal. She learned from the chief of staff that Senator Bennet was safe but that was all the staff knew for some time. Ms. Mullins spoke of the disbelief she felt and her emotions in the aftermath.

Students and teachers had the opportunity to ask questions, and former Marist Social Studies Teacher Mr. Alfred Cordell asked how the values she learned at Marist have helped her in her career and life. Ms. Mullins replied, “Emphasis on service at Marist is very important. So many students and faculty were welcoming of different perspectives. That was helpful in opening conversations and opening doors and helping people when they needed it.”

Also on February 12, the Future Health Professionals Club hosted a virtual discussion with Dr. Naadira Upshaw, an assistant professor in the Emory School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and a pediatric psychologist in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The club’s co-founders and presidents Amari Parker ’22 and Alex Ribic ’22 led the conversation with Dr. Upshaw, who also works with the Children’s Hematology/Oncology service and the Aflac Cancer Survivor Program at Scottish Rite.

Over the course of the discussion, students had the opportunity to ask Dr. Upshaw questions about how she decided to become a doctor, how she connects with patients, and the challenges that she faces in her role. Dr. Upshaw offered candid answers as she shared her experiences with the group of more than 60 participants. When asked how she would like to change the health care system, Dr. Upshaw said she would like for healthcare to be more accessible and make it easier to find a good doctor. She emphasized the importance for people to have access to healthy food, water, and shelter, ensuring that everyone’s basic needs are met.

Marist School enhances the academic program through these types of experiences with guest speakers, which not only broaden Marist students’ perspectives but also inspire them as they determine their paths forward.