Diversity and Inclusion Symposium
Thursday, November 2, 2023
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
"We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity."
George Takei
Schedule:
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm - Check-in and Reception
6:30 pm – 6:40 pm - Welcome and Opening
6:45 pm – 7:20 pm - Student/Faculty/Staff Panel
7:20 pm - 7:30 pm - Community Choir
7:40 pm – 8:10 pm - Session I
8:15 pm – 8:45 pm - Session II
8:50 pm – 9:00 pm - Closing and Wrap-up
Sessions:
Session I: 7:40 pm – 8:10 pm (30 minutes)
Identity, Culture, and its Impact on Mental Health - Wortmann
Our Culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race, and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. Cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms, and supports work for us. It is, therefore, essential for Culture and identity to be a part of the conversation as we discuss mental health and health care.
Presenter: Deneen Evans, PhD, LCSW (' 86) Associate Professor of Social Work East Tennessee State University
Start Playing Games! - PDR
This session is designed to generate conversations around diversity and inclusion through gameplay. Join us as we actively engage you with an alternate format for discussing inclusion and belonging.
Presenter(s): Aly Jones, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Retention
The Diversity Peer Educators
Diversity & Inclusion Symposium Thursday, November 2, 2023 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
7:40 pm – 7:55 pm (15 minutes)
Purple Flags: Building Community with the LGBTQ+ - Kime
Different from "red flags," Purple flags are the little things people do that are not inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. Join us as we increase awareness and build Community.
Presenter(s): RC Pride Student Organization
7:55 pm – 8:10 pm (15 minutes)
Scientist Like Me - Kime
The "Scientist Like Me" Project was designed as an extra credit opportunity in my sophomore-level organic chemistry class where students could explore personal connections with scientists. Students were allowed to pick scientists and describe how they relate to the scientist. How the student relates with the scientist was left up to the student to identify and describe. Presenter(s): Daniel Nasrallah, Ph.D., and students
Session II: 8:15 pm – 8:45 pm (30 minutes)
Interfaith Communities: Socially Bridged for Flourishing – Kime
Join our Chaplain for this engaging conversation about how interfaith communities move toward social change and wellness.
Presenter: Rev. Christopher Bowen, Dean of the Chapel
Bridging Communities, Facilitating Belonging - PDR
Bridges, a higher education and community partnership model, is dedicated to recruiting, educating, mentoring, and empowering local high school students of color to envision teaching K-12 as their chosen profession. The presenters will share the program's aims and discuss significant program development lessons and suggestions.
Presenter(s): Jennifer McCloud, Ph.D., Lisa Stoneman, Ph.D., and Karin Kaerwer
50 Years of Section 504 - Wortmann
September 26, 2023, marked the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first civil rights legislation protecting disabled people from discrimination. Please join us to understand better how we can continue to support its legacy from a historical and contemporary perspective.
Presenter(s): Dustin Persinger, Asst. Dir. of Academic Services for Accessible Education
Frances McCutcheon, Lecturer-Biology; Co-Coord. for Disabilities Studies