Tracy Maxwell, a nationally-recognized media expert on hazing, will share stories and solutions to critical issues surrounding hazing at a presentation at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the Keiper Recreation Center. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Maxwell’s presentation, “A Conversation about Hazing,” acknowledges the ethical injustice of harassing initiation practices while recognizing the complex perspectives that come into play. Through her stories, she recounts the harm to victims and hazers alike and reminds students that hazing is the antithesis of the values of honor, friendship, leadership and service espoused by most organizations.
Touching on psychological repercussions, gender norms, shame and rising media awareness, she motivates students and staff to avoid being bystanders and to take an active role with promoting healthy behaviors within groups.
Maxwell has worked in and around higher education for more than 20 years in various capacities, and was a founding member and former executive director of HazingPrevention.Org. She is a speaker for CampusSpeak, where she had served as CEO for seven years, and also is the founder of Solo Survivors, an organization that provides support for cancer survivors who are single.
She has a B.A. in Journalism from Western Kentucky University and an M.S. in Organizational Communication from University of Wisconsin.
The event is sponsored by Lycoming College’s Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development, which promotes personal growth and intellectual development among students through co-curricular programs.