April 12, 2019

Drexel Doctoral student Mina Ratkalkar has received The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sexual Attitude Reassessment Scholarship.

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) awards the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SAR Scholarship to People of Color and underrepresented sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists who demonstrate a commitment to promoting racial justice.

Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) trainings are required to earn AASECT certification, but due to cost, are not always accessible by all members. The scholarship funds the full cost of one SAR workshop (equivalent to $475) at the AASECT Annual Conference.

More About the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion SAR Scholarship

Objectives: AASECT seeks to promote an inclusive climate within the organization with an emphasis on racial justice and related intersections of sexual health. In doing so, AASECT is committed to diversifying its membership and increasing the presence of underrepresented racial and ethnic sexuality educators, therapists, and counselors. By providing funding for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sexual Attitude Reassessment scholarship, AASECT’s goal is to address potential barriers to members’ engagement and participation.

Background: The work of Aida Manduley and Kira Manser from the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (CSPH) and the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCSHN) inspired the creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sexual Attitude Reassessment scholarship. In the spring of 2018, the CSPH and WOCSHN members advocated for greater access to Sexual Attitude Reassessment trainings, which are a required component for AASECT certification but due to cost, are not always accessible by all members. In response, the AASECT Board of Directors met during the summer of 2018 and approved funding be designated to fund eight Sexual Attitude Reassessment scholarships. Members of AASECT’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee worked on behalf of the AASECT Board of Directors, and with the impetus of the scholarship in mind, to develop scholarship criteria, which included designation of the scholarship specifically for People of Color and underrepresented sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists who demonstrate a commitment to promoting racial justice.