CSI 4628, more affectionately known as “Pride Class,” has come to be an anticipated and special part of the school year for many Klein College of Media and Communication students, including recent alum Kimberly Gucciardi- Kreigh, KLN ’24.
Gucciardi-Kreigh took the class when it ran in the spring of 2023 and had a lifechanging experience as they learned about the history of the Pride movement and prepared to be an assistant captain of spectator services at the New York City Pride March last June. Though they could not take the class again this year, they were determined to be involved in some way beyond just attending the march with this year’s cohort of Pride Class students.
After talking with Director of Undergraduate Studies and Pride Class Professor Scott Gratson, TYL ’19, the pair decided that it was time the class had an intern and teacher’s assistant (TA). Ecstatic to once again be a part of the class, Gucciardi-Kreigh agreed to fill the role.
As the class intern and TA, Gucciardi-Kreigh worked with Gratson to develop lessons and they created an Instagram account to document the class and share other LGBTQ+-related content. Gucciardi-Kreigh has experience with leading courses, having taught seven sections of the Klein College first year seminar course.
In addition, Gratson encouraged Gucciardi-Kreigh to share their work on the class at the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Conference in March. As someone who hasn’t had the typical college experience as a transfer and commuter student, Gucciardi-Kreigh was hesitant to pursue an opportunity like this that would have them bring their work outside of Temple University. However, they knew how special the class was and were interested in sharing it with more people.
“Kimberly is the very embodiment of someone that takes the practice of something that came as a result from the classroom and applying it within the community,” Gratson said. And, he added, not only does Gucciardi-Kreigh take the classroom to the community, but they also take what they learn in the community back to the classroom.
Gucciardi-Kreigh prepared a poster to present at ECA talking about all things Pride Class. That is, what they do, what it means and how it impacts the Temple community and the New York community. Because they weren’t presenting traditional research, Gucciardi-Kreigh leaned into their creativity when figuring out how to best represent the class to people who may not have background on Temple or the program.
As far as the impact on the Temple community goes, Gucciardi-Kreigh noted that the course offers students the unique opportunity to learn LGBTQ+ history while also getting job experience as volunteers for the march. At the same time, the New York City Pride March gains a crop of spectator services volunteers that are the next generation of the Pride movement.
“Something Dr. Gratson always says is, ‘we need young people in Pride,’” Gucciardi-Kreigh said. “There needs to be a next generation of people who care about this and are interested and willing to put in the work to make this a movement.”
Gratson is proud of Gucciardi-Kreigh’s efforts to represent the class and Klein College at ECA, and the latter earned a well-deserved top poster award at the convention.
Next, Gucciardi-Kreigh will remain at Temple to pursue their master’s in higher education. They hope to be there for students, perhaps as an academic advisor, and give them the opportunity to make social change and do advocacy work, just like they did during their time at Klein College.
Until then, Gucciardi-Kreigh is looking forward to the march in June and will be featured on 6ABC at 7 p.m. on June 15 as a part of their “Pride Visions Moderated” panel.