Programming Archive

A list of previous DSL-sponsored programs


Below is a list of past events sponsored by DSL. In general, these have been open to the entire MIT community. Please email questions or suggestions to dsl-comments@mit.edu.

Film Screening: “NAIJA BETA,” September 28, 2017
The MIT Club of Boston and the Division of Student Life are teaming up to cosponsor a screening of NAIJA BETA on September 28 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm in the Bush Room (10-105). This is a film about the experiences of African MIT students by MIT alum Arthur Musah (S.B. '04, M.Eng. '05). After the screening, there will be a panel discussion examining the film’s themes of youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and homecoming in Nigeria in age of globalization. Last November, several DSL staff served as a focus group for final editing of this film, which was then called We Venture Home.

Preview Screening: "We Venture Home", a 50-minute documentary film, November 16, 2015
When a team of Nigerian MIT undergraduates heads home one summer to shake up education through a robotics camp for high-schoolers in Nigeria, their ideals are forced to grapple with reality. The film is a work-in-progress project by Ghanaian MIT alum Arthur Musah (Course VI, BS 2004, MEng 2005), who has also been working on “One Day I Too Go Fly”, a 4-year documentary study of the lives of 4 African students' over their undergraduate years at the Institute. Arthur plans to complete “We Venture Home” by January 2016 and welcomes your feedback at the preview screening. The longer “One Day I Too Go Fly” project completed filming in June this year, and is currently in the edit phase.

MIT History - Ellen Swallow Richards, MIT’s first alumna - March 6-10, 2015
Pamela Swallow branched out from her usual children’s book writing to author a book on her much beloved relative, Ellen Swallow Richards ‘(18)73, MIT’s first woman graduate. It is astounding what this amazing woman did in her lifetime - not just here at MIT, but around the country and the world. She pioneered a multitude of fields, including but not limited to public health, environmental science, and nutrition. Pam will be visiting the MIT campus as a guest of the Division of Student Life from March 6-10 to meet with MIT groups and discuss Ellen and her book. This visit coincides with International Women’s Day, making it an ideal time to celebrate the life of MIT’s first female graduate during animportant period in MIT history and her remarkable contributions. See Pam's full schedule of events.

When Support Gets Personal!  - 8 sessions from Jan 20 to March 17, 2015
This is an interactive program, developed by DSL's Student Outreach and Support, which provides administrators and other student services personnel with the necessary skills to be able to look beyond what students present on the surface.   The program’s curriculum and approaches evolved in response to feedback from previous attendees, making for an up-to-date and comprehensive experience.

Dara Fisher ESD '13 Master's Thesis Discussion - April 1, 2014
Last year Dara Fisher ESD ’13 authored an MIT Master's Thesis titled “Educating engineers for the 21st century : a framework for skill development through co-curricular and extracurricular involvement”, which focuses on the value and learning experiences of students' out-of-classroom activities. She is now pursuing a PhD the Harvard School of Education. The discussion on April 1 focused on a presentation and an upcoming conference paper. For details, please contact Bob Ferrara ’67 at rferrara@mit.edu

DSL Diversity Day of Dialogue - March 21, 2014
The DSL Diversity Day of Dialogue is an all day, off-site retreat just for DSL personnel, so pre-registration is required. The purpose is to bring together staff from across various DSL divisions to participate in a day of workshops, speakers, community building, action, and reflection centered on issues of culture, identity, and social justice at MIT and beyond.  We expect participants to become even better prepared and confident to assist and work with MIT's wonderfully diverse students on these issues.

Alcohol, Drugs and the Brain - March 6, 2014
Dr. Marisa Silveri will discuss the neurobiological consequences of alcohol and drug use in emerging adults. She has recently published clinical research on the short and long term impact of binge drinking on the emerging adult brain.  Dr. Silveri will also discuss the cognitve implications of certain types of illicit drug use in emerging adults.

When Support Gets Personal!  - 8 sessions from January 28 to March 18, 2014
This is an interactive program, developed by DSL's Student Outreach and Support, which provides administrators and other student services personnel with the necessary skills to be able to look beyond what students present on the surface.   The program’s curriculum and approaches evolved in response to feedback from previous attendees, making for an up-to-date and comprehensive experience.

Book discussion group with aothor Matthew Pearl - November 25, 2013 
The Division of Student Life is sponsoring a book discussion group with Matthew Pearl, author of the mystery thriller “The Technologists,” on Monday, November 25 from 12-2 pm in the West Lounge of the MIT Student Center W20-201. “The Technologists” is set during the founding era of MIT and features members of the Institute's first graduating class, early faculty, MIT founder William Barton Rogers, and the first woman graduate, Ellen Swallow Richards. The book is widely acclaimed and was just named the best work of fiction in the 2013 Massachusetts Book Awards. In addition to participating in the discussion and answering questions, Pearl will be signing copies of his books.

Prof. Richard Boyatzis MIT '68 - March 27, 2013
- "Inspiring Leadership Development in Ourselves and Others Through Emotional Intelligence and Renewal"
“Great leaders move us. Although they talk of strategy and competition, great leaders establish a deep emotional connection with others and are literally in tune with others around them.”  If that sentence gets your attention, then please mark your calendar for “Resonant Leadership: Inspiring Us to Be Our Best” presented by Prof. Richard Boyatzis, Distinguished University Professor, Case Western Reserve University and MIT alum, ’68  (Course 16). Prof. Boyatzis will explore:
  • What defines a great leader and how to sustain effectiveness
  • The experience of “resonant leadership” in an organization, and the role of emotional intelligence, hope,and compassion
  • Developing resonant leadership in ourselves and others
This event is a collaboration of DSL and MIT Human Resources.