There’s a new kid in town—DU’s online magazine “The Spark: An Impetus for Inclusivity,” a publication that aims to create a platform where students can voice their opinions on campus.
Written by DU undergrads, this online magazine focuses on today’s pressing social issues locally and worldwide. As a subcommittee of the DU Undergraduate Diversity Committee, writers for “The Spark” pen stories of equality, diversity and inclusivity both on and off campus.
This is the first year for “The Spark,” but it has already made leaps and bounds since its beginnings during the summer of 2014 with around nine passionate writers and a great interactive website. Co-founders and editors Jillian Martinez, a journalism major from Colorado Springs, and Alejandro Garcia, a third-year student of sociology, hospitality management and psychology from Boulder, understood the need for a platform where students could voice their own opinions on issues in regards to diversity and inclusivity, rather than hearing these talks from faculty members.
“The Spark” differentiates itself from other student publications and organizations because it is geared toward many of today’s pressing social issues. It is fairly opinion-based and everyone gets to have a say in the topics they pursue. These topics range from events here at DU to personal experiences like studying abroad. It also includes events beyond campus to issues circulating Tumblr other social platforms and other universities as well. When choosing topics, both writers and editors can pitch ideas. Sometimes these ideas take them around the DU community or all of Denver interviewing people and getting first-hand experience.
When writers choose their topics, they have an opportunity to learn something new and to spread that information and knowledge throughout DU. This not only helps students here learn about social issues, but it also spreads general knowledge beyond campus.
The writers themselves are very diverse, with majors spanning from sociology and finance to international relations. This passionate group of writers comes from all around DU and represents many different ages, groups and clubs. They unite to form an exciting and creative environment with a unique perspective that reflects the diversity on campus.
What started as a subcommittee of the USG Diversity Committee has now grown to reach other parts of DU in its pursuit to create conversations, educate students and spread inclusivity. In the future, co-founders hope that this can be an online community not just for DU, but for other colleges as well. They also hope that both “The Spark” and the USG Diversity Committee can grow in tandem and will inspire one another.
One of the staff writers, Quinn Goodrich, a sophomore double majoring in psychology and art from Omaha, Nebraska is optimistic about “The Spark.”
“It would be really cool to see [The Spark] grow and just really start conversations within the student body,” said Goodrich. “[Inclusive excellence] has to be a part of the conversation. It’s actually recognizing issues in our world and in DU’s campus and being able to talk about them intelligently and openly.”
“The Spark” is always looking for new members. For more information or to get in touch with the staff about possible pitches, message their facebook page, and don’t forget to check out “The Spark” online at thesparkanimpetusforinclusivity.com.
