Empowering Kent State: Valuing the Strength of Diversity Town Hall Series
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, is proud to announce a continuation of last year’s town hall series. Titled "Empowering Kent State: Valuing the Strength of Diversity," this series furthers our dedication to advancing and transforming our community’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The speakers and panelists will include students, staff and faculty from all campuses.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, we had excellent opportunities to learn about different issues surrounding culture, social justice, ethnicity, race and racism, sexism, transphobia and anti-Semitism. This year, we expand and cover topics such as (dis)ability, critical race theory and intersectionality, and international and immigrant experiences. We will offer a more interactive format in addition to the presentations and panel conversations. These additions offer virtual group discussion opportunities so participants can debrief and discuss the larger town halls. Our intent is to create space for more dialogue in which new voices will add to the sharing, discussion, healing and problem solving.
The 2021-2022 town hall series will be facilitated by Gumiko Monobe (she/her/hers), Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies. Sandra Morgan (she/her/hers), director of external affairs and communications in the College of Arts and Sciences, will moderate.
We hope to see you at the town halls, starting in September 2021 and running throughout the academic year! Please use the links below to register for spring 2022 events. Please note all of these events are virtual.
Embracing Our International and Immigrant Community
Thursday, March 3, 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Discussant and facilitator:
- Gumiko Monobe (she/her/hers), Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
Discussants:
- Debbie Rozner (she/her/hers), director, ESL Center at Kent State University
- Winnie Adiahachi Bush (she/her/hers), M.Ed, Program Coordinator, Women’s Center
- Suryanarayanan Elapully Suresh (he/his/him), MBA accounting
- Felix Kumah-Abiwu, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Center for African Studies, Department of Africana Studies
Small-Group Session on Embracing our International and Immigrant Community:
Thursday, March 3, 5:15-5:45 p.m.
Disability and Accessibility for Equity
Thursday, March 10, 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Discussants:
- Amanda Feaster (she/her/hers), director, Student Accessibility Services
- Donna J. Bernert (she/her/hers), PhD, LSHE associate professor, Health Education & Promotion School of Health Sciences
- Alison Haynes (she/her/hers), M.S., digital accessibility compliance coordinator, Division of Information Technology
- Tony Snyder (he/him/his), copyright and interlibrary loan associate, University Libraries
- Ethan Smith (he/him/his), junior, Communication Studies with a second Major in Emerging Media and Technology.
Small-Group Session on Disability and Accessibility for Equity:
Thursday, March 10, 5:15-5:45 p.m.
Collaborating for Change at Kent State University
Thursday, April 14, Noon-1:15 p.m.
Register for the Collaborating for Change at Kent State Town Hall
Discussants:
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Stephanie Evans (she/her), Assistant Director, Office of Student Conduct and Co-chair, Women of Color Collective: https://www.kent.edu/WoCC
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Nzinga Hart (she/her), Academic Program Coordinator, College of Communication and Information and Chair, Kent Engaged and Emerging Professionals (KEEP): https://www.kent.edu/hr/keep
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AJ Leu (they/them), Director, Diversity and Career Development, College of Communication and Information and President, Kent State Spectrum: LGBTQ+ and Ally Employee Resource Group: spectrum@kent.edu, https://spectrumkentstate.wixsite.com/spectrum, https://www.facebook.com/SpectrumKent/
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Wei Li (she/her), Ph.D., CPA, Chair, Department of Accounting and Executive member, Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Alliance (AAAPI): https://www.kent.edu/hr/asian-asian-american-pacific-islander-faculty-and-staff-alliance
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Babacar M’Baye (he/him), Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of English and Vice President, Pan African Faculty and Staff Association (PAFSA): https://www.kent.edu/pafsa
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Eron Memaj (he/him), Ph.D., Director, International Student Affairs and President, International Faculty & Staff Network, http://www.ifacultystaff.org/
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Julie Vandegrift (she/her), Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and Chair, Latino Networking Caucus (LNC): https://www.kent.edu/hr/lnc-latino-networking-caucus