Student Enrichment

The North Stars FDI Debate Team

FDI student scholars Mark-Handy Phanor (Political Science) and Damaiya Turner (Criminal Justice) participated in the 11th annual PASSHE FDI Debate Competition and Undergraduate Research Conference on April 9-10, 2024, at Millersville University. The North Stars FDI Debate Team are a cadre of historically underrepresented, racially, culturally and  
linguistically diverse undergraduate students. Led by Kutztown doctoral student and debate coach, Mr. Daniel Sleiman (pictured), FDI Debate workshops equipped students with the skills to excel in debates and "win every argument" (Hasan, 2023).

The Education as Freedom Project

The Education as Freedom Project is a service-learning initiative to support literacy learning of K-12 students in a local, urban school district. Our pilot began in April 2023. BIPOC undergraduate students and allies are engaged in literacy-based activities with students attending Executive Charter School in Allentown, PA. This project is grounded in a social justice ethos to support equitable educational access through literacy. For Douglass, literacy was the literal path to freedom, and he referred to it as "a new and special revelation, explaining dark and mysterious things, with which my youthful understanding had struggled, but struggled in vain." In alignment with Douglass' vision, FDI facilitated this effort to support marginalized students on their literacy journeys. The Education as Freedom Project also aligns with KU's Strategic Plan, Goal 2: Student Success, Objectives 2 & 4.  

Undergraduate Internships and Scholarships – FDI supports undergraduate and graduate student ambassadors with employment, scholarships, and assistantships. We are consistently seeking students with basic office, social media, photography, videography, design, and/or leadership skills.  

Students interested in debate, research, employment, or scholarships should contact our office at fdouglass@kutztown.edu