Jessica Pettitt - Social Justice: When Diversity Isn't Enough

SEE LINK - University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Nick Sweeton, Associate Director of Student Housing Services

"Jessica brought an abundance of skill, talent, empathy and charm to our MCC campuses. Her most valuable attribute was her power of LISTENING. Each venue she visited offered a unique audience, each with particular agendas, hopes and fears as she walked in. Jessica was able to hear through the noise in each case to provide a tailored experience. She has helped us embark on a wonderful process of raising awareness and starting conversations about gender issues." - Nancy E. Harrington, Faculty, Biology Department, Metropolitan Community College

"Jess is a dynamic trainer who uses her extensive knowledge, sensitivity to others, and charisma to engage students in understanding issues that are either very foreign to them, or in some cases distasteful; and does so in a way that helps them extend their boundaries and their appreciation of the complexities of issues of diversity. I watched Jess work with a group of college students last summer at a program called LeaderShape, students who immersed in their white privilege had obviously given little thought to issues of oppression. Jess connected to them in such a way that she not only didn't alienate them, but opened them to the world around them so that they were committed to social action. It was incredibly impressive!" - Susan Herman, Professor, School of Management Director, Northern Leadership Center, University of Al

“Jessica has an ease with her subject matter; one that seemingly comes from her extensive knowledge and polished public speaking/interaction skills. She presents her subject matter in a way that is tangible and usable for administrators, staff, faculty and students alike. The former is most notably present in her Keynote speech. Her presentation made it clear how each individual can change his/her own space; making it easier to effect and ultimately effectuate the change you want to see in the world.” - Michael Mancini, Coordinator of Judicial Affairs, Office of the Vice President Student Affairs, SUNY

“We invited Jessica to campus to speak with student affairs staff, faculty and student groups. Through her presentations Jessica was able to engage all participants in lively, thoughtful, and meaningful interactions. She is particularly sensitive at facilitating honest and challenging discussions around a variety of difficult yet important topics. Her presentation style is dynamic and flexible, accommodating quickly to the emerging needs of the group she is working with. We hope we will have the opportunity to bring her to campus again.” - Kevin Morrison Meredith College, International Program Office

"Jessica was phenomenal! She mixed candor, wit and humor with education in a way that led many of the participants, including myself, to intensely examine our own points of view. Both of her presentations were challenging, validating and inspiring." - Marisela Martinez, Director, Agnes Scott College

"Hosting Jessica Pettitt at our conference was an extreme honor and privilege. She didn’t just simply fill the keynote speaker’s timeslot, but engaged herself wholeheartedly into the conference, becoming a powerful presence that embodied the spirit of the event. She delivered an address that was captivating and meaningful to all of the conference attendees as well as the planning committee. ... Her down-to-earth message resonated with the young aspiring activists and leaders within the audience. She also has the highest quality of character that one could look for in a presenter—accommodating, insightful, pleasant, and, quite simply, real. She is able to capitalize on her natural charisma when presenting to large audiences and still be authentic and intimate. It is no exaggeration to say that Jessica Pettitt saved our conference, and delivered much more than we had asked of her. Out of dozens of speakers that I have worked with, Jessica has sincerely been by far the best!" - Brian Wollum, Program Advisor, LGBT Center, Minnesota State University, Mankato

"You have no idea the impact you've made on me. You've given me back a love of student affairs & showed me one person's words can shake a room full of hearts." - Testimonial from LeaderShape UGA

“The response from Jess’s keynote on diversity among the organization was phenomenal…many participants implemented the suggestions she put forth. Our own group instituted changes in our executive board structures due to her talk.”
- Adelle Fontanet, University of Florida, Pride Student Union President

"While in Birmingham Jess demonstrated an ability to put people at ease with her keen intelligence and fantastic sense of humor. She hears not only what people are saying, but what they are thinking and afraid to say. She's able to quickly read the dynamics of a group. And she explains things in a way that people can understand. I hope to have her back here soon!" - Karen L. Placke, President, The Alliance for GLBT Equality at UAB

"Jessica was extremely professional and very easy to work with. She made sure that her lecture was accommodating and catered to our students. Jessica had a very creative way in which she portrayed her message and took hold of everybody's attention. The message she was giving was exactly what we were looking for and I believe she was the best person to provide it."
- Mark Flynn, Programming Chair, New York Institute of Technology