February 2026
Executive Director/DEI Corner
By Dr. Gina Turner
As we move into February (already!) of this new year, I’m looking back at what I’ve been reading over the holidays and into 2026, and at first glance it looks pretty escapist: heavy on science fiction and fantasy (including one with a dragon as a main character!). But, that’s a common misconception about genre fiction—that is just mental junk food, and not true “literature”.
However, as I was telling a friend recently, what I love about speculative fiction is when it grapples with our current world’s problems and challenges, but allows us to look at those issues from a new perspective. I feel like my most recent reads are mentally fortifying me for the coming months.
The Office of Historical Corrections, recommended to me by a friend, a 2020 collection by Danielle Evans, contains a story of a Black scholar who works for a (fictional) government agency tasked with correcting historical inaccuracies, such as in state and national monuments. This story really examines the question of who tells which stories and why? (This is especially relevant in the context of our Feburary 19th guest speaker, Clint Smith, and his book “How the Word Is Passed”!)
I also revisited an author to read one of his earlier books, which I enjoyed, and led me to re-read his latest book, Anyone (Charles Soule). The book is about a scientist who creates a technology that allows for consciousness to be transferred between bodies. One of her motivations for this is her race; as a Black woman, she has experienced assumptions and expectations placed on her because of her race and gender, and challenges of feeling included. The book raises the question: what happens when we truly know we can’t assume about who is inside the skin we’re looking at?
Lastly, the Oscar nominations were announced! I love this distraction during the doldrums of winter, as an excuse to catch up on great movies from the past year. Also, I love the conversations these films raise each year, about who is recognized and which stories are amplified. One nominated film is of the most visually beautiful movies I’ve watched in a while: Train Dreams, starring the actor Joel Edgerton as a logger in the Pacific Northwest. The film was based on a novella by Denis Johnson (and the second film by Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, after their wonderful 2023 film Sing Sing.) It’s also a beautiful story, illustrating the course of one man’s life, his work, his personal tragedies, and his attempts to make meaning of it all. Starting life as an orphan who never knows anything about his parents, he moves through connections, isolation, lack of control, major changes in the world—as we all do in life.
Happy February!
ECCEI Fellow Spotlight
By Dr. Mel Sivells
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Center for Community, Equity, and Inclusion (CCEI) brought Dr. King’s words to life during its annual MLK Day of Service, transforming a day of reflection into a day of action, connection, and care. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Gina Turner and Faculty Fellow Dr. Mel Sivells, the campus community came together with a shared purpose: to serve others in meaningful and tangible ways.
In partnership with the Alpha Gamma Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, participants created 25 no-sew blankets, each one made with intention and love. Alongside the blankets, the group collected laundry baskets, hygiene products, and other essential items to support Valley Youth House, a transitional home serving teens facing significant life challenges.
This year marked the second year of collaboration between CCEI and the Alpha Gamma Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, continuing a partnership aligned with one of the sorority’s national service programs. The day truly reflected the spirit of community, as faculty, staff, and students worked side by side alongside community partners. We were especially proud to have NCC faculty members Robin Cunconan-Lahr (Education) and Gerri Bunnion O’Dowd (Learning Center) in attendance, further demonstrating the institution’s shared commitment to service, meaningful partnerships, and student-centered support beyond the classroom. Members of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania also joined in, reinforcing that service is most powerful when everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate.
A special thank-you goes to the Black Student Union, whose MLK displays across our space helped set the tone for the event. Their thoughtful and engaging exhibits raised awareness of the life, leadership, and lasting influence of Dr. King, encouraging reflection, learning, and meaningful dialogue throughout the community.
The atmosphere throughout the day was uplifting and energizing. Conversations flowed easily, hands stayed busy, and the impact was clear: when people come together with purpose, even simple acts of service can make a lasting difference.
If you were unable to attend the blanket-making event, there is still time to contribute. Donations will be accepted in the CCEI Office through February 27, 2026. Every contribution helps extend comfort, dignity, and hope to young people who need it most.
Through service, collaboration, and shared commitment, CCEI continues to honor Dr. King’s legacy—not just by remembering his words, but by living them. #DayOnNotOff #LivingTheLegacy
