Save the Date! Supportinfg Inclusiveness in the Classroo

In this engaging afternoon of authentic dialogue, faculty will explore practical tools and approaches they can use in the wake of a critical incident,  Through an interactive keynote and follow-up sessions, faculty will have the opportunity to explore some of the following questions:

• Is it our place? Do faculty havea role facilitating discussions following a campus bias incident? A national incident?
• What if my course content has nothing to do with issues of race, gender identity, sexuality, religion, immigration status, etc.?
• What if I don't have any space in my syllabus?
• Faculty have not been trained to lead these types of discussions.  What tools and approaches could I use?
• How can I create a more inclusive classroom from the start?

Following the keynote, faculty can choose among several breakout sessions to continue in collegial dialogue and skill development. 

Presenters:

Kathy Obear, Ed. D., Social Justice Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Kathy Obear is a successful author of three books with over 35 years of experience specializing in conflict resolution, change management, and creating inclusive organizations. Dr. Kathy Obear is a leading expert in helping to establish socially just environments where everyone feels valued and respected.

As the founder of The Center for Transformation and Change, Kathy has given speeches, facilitated training sessions, and consulted to top leaders at hundreds of universities, human services organizations, and corporations across the United States and internationally with a goal to increase the passion, competence, and commitment to create inclusive, socially just environments for all members of the organization.

Marta Elena Esquilin, Associate Dean, Honors Living-Learning Community, Assistant Professor, American Studies Program, Rutgers University-Newark

Marta Elena Esquilin is the Associate Dean of the Honors Living Learning Community at Rutgers Newark and an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the American Studies Program within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-Newark. She works as a diversity expert and consultant within organizational and educational environments including secondary schools, non-profit organizations, social service agencies, corporate settings, and higher education institutions around the United States.

Marta’s passion and current work focuses on creating environments that encourage the positive development and success of all people. She is particularly interested in raising awareness about how microaggressions operate to create hostile environments for people with marginalized social identities within work and school settings. To this end, she has developed trainings and assessment tools aimed at increasing cultural competence, addressing the impacts of microaggressions, and creating sustainable infrastructures to support student success within educational settings.

Dr. Michael Sean Funk (Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University)

Dr. Funk is an alumnus of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he received his M.A. from the Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology. In 2012, he received his doctorate from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Social Justice Education program. His dissertation, Making Something of It, explores the untold stories of promising black males at a predominately white institution of higher education.

Dr. Funk currently serves as coordinator of the M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Program where he teaches courses including: Diversity in Higher Education, Leadership in Higher Education, Foundations of Higher Education, Internship Seminar, and Undergraduate Advising. Dr. Funk also resides as a Faculty Fellow in Residence at first-year residence hall, Founders on NYU’s campus. He is a Steinhardt Knowledge Partner that works with faculty to support efforts toward creating inclusive classroom settings. Additionally, he contributes as an Alternative-Senator for the Continuing Faculty Senate Council (C-FSC). His scholarship primarily focuses on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.