Madison Watland

I helped create the #DiversityIsOurStrength project, working as the Event Planning (Lead), and on the Social Media team.

My Family History

We’ve always lived in Iowa. My dad is part of the Houma Native American tribe, though he moved here from southern Louisiana. My great-uncle is the Chief of the tribe, and he would always send us artifacts and books. My family has always worked within the field of nursing, farming, and general labor jobs. I’m the first one in my family to go into the field of technology.

Living in Iowa

Working on farms, family businesses, and helping the community shapes someone into what it means to be Iowan.My childhood experiences developed me into a true Iowan: my language, taste in food, and eagerness to make anyone feel like family. The best thing about Iowa is the community and friendliness. The small towns with big families make a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I love the music scene here, and the fact that everyone is real with each other and humble. Everyone is brought together when they share a similar interest in something they love.

My Dreams

I’m good at painting and visualizing a style or aesthetic, and being able to portray it in a space. I’m also good at being creative and doing the digital design for projects. In the future I’d like to work in manufacturing, on new software for factories, or as a packaging designer so I can express a company’s brand through their products.

A Teacher Who Changed My Life

Mrs. Amy Metcalf, English teacher, Spencer High School Mrs. Metcalf cheered me on and helped me show my true self through Speech Club. She taught me how to be more vulnerable, and to open myself up to new experiences.

My Favorite Thing

band t-shirt.

This T-shirt shows off my passion for music and displays my love for the community surrounding Iowa.

What #DIVERSITYISOURSTRENGTH means to me

This project means a lot to me in that we’re bringing a community together to help decrease any segregation in Iowa. It means bringing educating those who are ignorant to different perspectives. As Iowans, we should keep our word on being open and friendly, and show it throughout our communities.

Alex Knospe Amanda Jensen Annebel Trumm Ben VanHorn Brett Foreman Colin Hughes Connor Gibson Dakota Davis Elexia San Nicolas Hannah Stater Kalei Owens Leslie Owusu Madison Watland Preston Larson Reagan Saul Sami Enos

#DiversityIsOurStrength is a public web and mural project developed by Interactive Digital Studies (IDS) majors at the University of Northern Iowa. IDS is an interdisciplinary program focusing on creating digital experiences. We are using what we’ve learned in our culminating IDS Practicum course to create a highly visible public project that both addresses the challenges and embraces the future of educational diversity in the Cedar Valley.

One inspiration for this project came from the 24/7 Wall Street article that identified Waterloo and Cedar Falls as the #1 worst metro area for Black Americans in 2018. Having this distinction continues to be disturbing for all of us. Our second inspiration comes from 1619 Project, a New York Times initiative led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones. The project reframes the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

Thank you to literacy educator Dr. Shuaib Meacham, Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, who has guided this project.

Also thank you to Anthony Woodley and Mack Vos for helping in the final stages of the project. Due to COVID-19, the project became delayed and was unable to be completed by the end of the spring semester, and without their help, the project could not have been finished.

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

Contact Us

Email: diversitystrength@uni.edu