Mary Gilmore, Staff Writer
SUNY Oneonta students filled the Hunt Union Ballroom on April 7 for The Unheard Voice, a Sexual Assault Awareness Month program featuring nationally recognized keynote speaker and trainer Elaine Pasqua. Known for her high‑energy, interactive approach and her ability to connect with audiences ranging from college students to NFL, NBA, and MLB teams, Pasqua brought a powerful blend of education, empathy, and real‑world skill‑building to campus.
For nearly three decades, Pasqua has traveled the country speaking about healthy relationships, consent, communication, and the power of personal choice. Her work is rooted in public health and shaped by her early experiences losing her mother and stepfather to AIDS‑related complications. That event propelled her into HIV/AIDS education and, eventually, broader conversations about sexual health, respect, and interpersonal responsibility.
At SUNY Oneonta, Pasqua’s presentation centered on sexual assault, domestic violence, and the everyday behaviors that contribute to a safer or more harmful campus culture. Rather than relying on passive lecture, she immediately engaged students with her signature interactive style, something she is widely known for across universities and professional organizations. Her programs are intentionally experiential because, as she often emphasizes, “learning sticks when people move, talk, and reflect together.”
One of the most memorable moments of the program was when Pasqua led an activity demonstrating how sexually transmitted infections can spread through a community. Using a simple but powerful chain‑reaction exercise, she illustrated how one person’s choices can affect many others, often in ways they never anticipate.
This activity, which she has used nationwide, draws on her background in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and public health. Pasqua spent 13 years as a dental hygienist before becoming a full‑time educator, and she frequently incorporates scientific concepts into accessible, real‑world demonstrations.
Students reacted with a mix of surprise, laughter, and dawning awareness as the “infection” spread rapidly across the room. Pasqua used the moment to shift into a deeper conversation about communication, boundaries, and the importance of informed decision‑making, not just for oneself, but for the wellbeing of an entire community.
Throughout the presentation, Pasqua emphasized that preventing sexual assault is not about fear, it’s about empowerment. She guided students through scenarios involving consent, miscommunication, and peer intervention, encouraging them to practice language they could use in real situations.
Pasqua also addressed the role of alcohol in sexual violence. By breaking down how impaired judgment affects communication and boundaries, she helped students recognize risk factors and develop strategies to keep themselves and their friends safe.
The event was supported by OEI, Title IX, the GSRC, Residence Life, Athletics, Greek Life, OSC, and Health & Wellness, showing the campus‑wide commitment to preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors.
As SUNY Oneonta continues its Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming, Pasqua’s visit set a powerful tone. Her presentation reminded students that change begins not with grand gestures, but with everyday choices, and that every voice, especially the unheard ones, matter.
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