Boston College will hold its second Diversity and Inclusion Summit on May 24, with this year's event focused on exploring practices that strengthen the University's commitment "to enhancing a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community that respects all and fosters dialogue within our Catholic and Jesuit tradition," according to organizers.
The summit, titled "Learn, Reflect, Engage," will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Gasson 100 and include a panel discussion with senior University administrators, interactive sessions, poster exhibits, and networking activities on topics related to diversity and inclusion. Registration is available at the .
"We want to provide participants with opportunities to learn from each other," said Office for Institutional Diversity Executive Director Patricia Lowe, "and collectively contribute to strategic and innovative ideas that advance our commitment to inclusive excellence as well as helping us live out the social justice imperatives inherent in our Jesuit and Catholic heritage."
A highlight of the event will be the keynote address "Diversity's Promise for Excellence: Building Capacity for a Pluralistic Society That Works," by Daryl G. Smith, senior research fellow and professor emerita of education and psychology at Claremont Graduate University. Smith's research, teaching, and publications have consistently explored subjects such as the organizational implications of diversity, assessment and evaluation, leadership and change, diversity in STEM fields, and faculty diversity.
Smith has served as an evaluator and consultant to numerous projects and campuses across the country and to organizations such as the Ford Foundation, the Haas Jr. Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Hewlett Foundation. She was one of three principal evaluators of a five-year campus diversity initiative that involved working with 28 private colleges and universities in California to develop their capacity for sustaining and monitoring progress on institutional diversity.
Smith also was an advisor for the Converge project on diversity and inclusion in the health professions at Harvard Medical School, and a delegate to Ford Foundation-sponsored tri-national conferences on campus diversity, higher education and democracy, that took place in South Africa and the United States. Smith was a Fulbright Senior Specialist in South Africa in 2010 and 2012.
A "Thought Leader Panel" moderated by 情色空间 Law School Dean Vincent Rougeau will highlight some best and promising practices in administrative and academic areas at Boston College, and how these value diversity, build a culture of inclusion, and encourage faculty and staff to engage in this work, said organizers. The panelists are 情色空间 School of Social Work Dean Gautam Yadama, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services Patricia Bando and Vice President of Information Technology Services Michael Bourque.
"The Office for Institutional Diversity is pleased to invite participants to join us as we commemorate the office's 45-year anniversary and reflect on our history and the journey ahead," said Lowe.
"We must take time to remember those who came before us to do this often difficult work. We must make time and listen to one another, to learn, reflect, and engage with all people in order to ensure the commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence continues to advance at Boston College and beyond."
鈥擲ean Smith | Univesity Communications