Pre-Conference Workshops

Diversity trainings can be effective in empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to foster a climate of equity and inclusion. In this interactive workshop, using an interdisciplinary framework, participants will (1) conceptualize training and development in Organization Development (OD) context, (2) recognize diversity trainings as a separate branch within training and development, (3) identify the goals of diversity trainings, (4) identify three sets of moderators that determine the effectiveness of diversity trainings, (5) identify methods of instruction and engagement, and (6) discuss four levels of assessment to evaluate training and development programs. Participants will explore the model, tools, and strategies that were utilized for the Leadership for Equity and Inclusive Excellence Institute – an evidence-informed, skill-building-focused, application-based, extended diversity education program. Participants will receive a workbook for reflective learning and synthesis of information during the workshop and a resource packet for continued learning after it.

This workshop, grounded in adult learning theory, will engage participants in the critical inquiry necessary to begin or to build upon the development of individuals within higher education communities to lead and shape strategic professional development models that realize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals and initiatives. The workshop will utilize Costa’s three levels of inquiry framework through writing, inquiry, reading, organizing, and collaborating. To promote humanizing interactions, the facilitators will incorporate dialogical processes through one-on-one, small-group, and whole-group discussions and project-based activities. The workshop will also stimulate and undertake a holistic professional development approach through reflection related to visual, auditory, and embodied learning activities.

Whether you are starting from scratch or restarting your efforts to build campus engagement for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), this workshop will be valuable. You'll be introduced to specific activity tracks, such as Re-righting History, Students Speak, Reel Talk, and DEI 101, that were successful on the presenter's campus and can be reproduced on other campuses. You'll also have the opportunity to see how continuous quality improvement and change management theory are baked in. The workshop also will feature a lessons-learned component as well as good practices for success.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to explore ways to develop an inclusive classroom in STEM disciplines. Developed from workshops funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, it will utilize meta-teaching to identify small changes that can be made in classrooms to improve student engagement and performance. The facilitators will help participants explore their identities and how aspects of identity relate to our sense of belonging in various spaces. Participants will also learn how to build connections within their classrooms.

As a licensed mental health clinician providing leadership to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) work in higher education, the facilitator will introduce participants to the benefits of integrating human ecological and humanist theoretical approaches to creating micro- and macro-level changes that are pertinent to DEIB work with students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, and the local community. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in guided individual reflective work, small- and large-group discussions, and ultimately self-select a DEIB challenge they are currently navigating on their campus and apply one of the theoretical frameworks to propose a micro- or macro-level strategy for addressing their institution’s challenges.

There is a glaring lack of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in higher education leadership, although AAPIs may be well represented in the ranks of faculty and the student body. Participants will learn about the importance of creating a platform for collaboration and synergy among AAPI leaders who have reached the position of president/chancellor in higher education, and a sustainable pipeline to support ascending AAPI leaders.

This interactive and experiential workshop will examine the ways dialogic practices and our personal and social identities impact how we engage in discussions about diversity and social justice issues; review some behaviors that impede authentic cross-group conversations; and practice strategies and skills, using the "Straight A's" model to have conversations about equity-related topics. Participants will gain approaches and tools they can share with others.