Stories of Transformation: SLCC Symposium on Equity and Inclusion

Faculty Development Director Liz Rogers is excited to hold SLCC’s first Symposium on Equity and Inclusion on April 1. The symposium, which was put on hold when the pandemic struck, provides a space for students, faculty, staff and administrators to share their experiences related to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, or JEDI. Liz says the format is designed to help participants make new or stronger connections and share ideas surrounding JEDI work.

She says storytelling is a good way to focus on transformation. “Stories acknowledge the struggle it takes to do this work while still being able to celebrate good outcomes,” she says. Liz says there is always more we can be doing and hopes participants come away inspired to take action towards creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone at SLCC.

The symposium, titled “Stories of Transformation,” is a hybrid event; participants can attend the all-day event in person or online. Registration is required for attendance. Dr. Bryan Dewsbury, professor of biology and associate director of the STEM Transformation Institute at Florida International University, will deliver the keynote address at 9 a.m.

Dr. Bryan Desbury is the principal investigator of the Science Education and Society Research Program, where his team explores questions about the social contexts of teaching and learning. He is also an advisory board member and a fellow of several national education reform institutions, including the John N. Gardner Institute, where he helps support institutions of higher education undergoing transformation, particularly as it pertains to inclusive educational practices.

Gwen Spotted Elk.

Breakout sessions are scheduled throughout the day and will feature stories from several students, faculty, staff, and community members, including Success Coach Gwen Spotted Elk and Program Manager Emily Thompson who will present their experiences creating JEDI-centered and safe supervisory relationships in Competency Based Education.

“Imagine a working world where the traditional hierarchal employment structures are broken-down and rebuilt with mutual respect and open communication, where conflicts are handled and resolved with care, and where it’s okay to make mistakes and to grow,” says Gwen. She and Emily invite students, faculty and staff to “come listen to our stories of transformation as we discuss ways in which we ‘stumbled bravely together’ to create a new working experience at SLCC.”