PANEL TOPICS
THEMES: (please see the full program details for session titles and full descriptions)
Coming to Terms – We all use different language to talk about issues related to diversity and inclusion, social justice and equity, and intercultural competence and learning. How might our language create barriers to collaboration? What are ways we can break free from traditional narratives?
Moving from Diversity to Inclusion – The demographics of our campuses have shifted as we have prioritized diversity in such areas as student recruiting and faculty/staff hiring. What does this mean for how we teach, support, mentor, and give voice to those who are underrepresented on our campuses? What lessons have we learned and where are we struggling?
Preparing Students for Global Experiences Using Resources On and Off Campus – As the demographics of our student bodies have shifted, so too have the needs and support for our students engaging in global experiences. How do we partner across campus to prepare students before they go, support them while they are abroad, and then continue support upon returning to campus? What are barriers to full participation?
Global Engagement on the Home Campus – How do we build communities that integrate, support, and celebrate our international populations? What practices do we follow to make sure we are engaging responsibly and ethically with our partners off-campus in our local communities and abroad? What are we doing both in the curricular and the co-curricular to promote global engagement? How do we measure success?
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Amer Ahmed
BIO
Dr. Amer F. Ahmed is an organizational strategist who helps institutions and leaders address diversity and inclusion, equity, race, and intercultural development through consulting, coaching, group facilitation, and keynote speeches. A frequently requested speaker nationwide, Dr. Ahmed’s approach is grounded in social justice and commitment to community. He brings his identity as the son of Indian Muslim immigrants and extensive years as an intercultural and diversity consultant as the sources of a pivotal understanding of the depth of diversity and inclusion work. Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has worked with large organizations, higher education institutions, non-profit agencies, schools, and community groups to create understanding and change among key constituents and institutional leaders.
His thought leadership and keen sense of the latest trends informs his approaches to helping groups address potential areas of opportunity to grow and develop. Dr. Ahmed incorporates deep theoretical knowledge of the field combined with a variety of methods including storytelling, discourse on current events, and connections to art and music in order to move audiences to profound awareness of issues and next steps. He has published key opinion pieces and has been featured in media such as MSNBC, documentary film, and other national press outlets for his commentary and critical perspective on news and significant topics in society.
Dr. Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of AFA Diversity Consulting, LLC, a consulting practice dedicated to enhancing the development of organizations through efforts around leadership, professional development, assessment, and strategic change. In addition to his consulting work, Dr. Ahmed serves as a member of SpeakOut: Institute for Democratic Education.