St. Joseph’s College kicks off its first Diversity and Inclusion Week on Monday, celebrating the unique individuals that make up the College community.
The week will reflect social responsibility — one of St. Joseph’s core pillars — and charism, a value at the heart of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s mission. The theme is “Celebrating Our Diversity: Building an Inclusive Campus.”
Diversity and inclusion committee co-chairs Shantey M. Hill-Hanna, vice president for student life and campus services, and Robert Riley, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, said in an announcement that the virtual academic and experiential events taking place this week will help increase understanding of frequently used concepts — such as diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, while learning to engage with perspectives different from one’s own as it relates to intercultural awareness.
Below is a listing of SJC’s Diversity and Inclusion Week events:
Identity Exploration & Storytelling
Josephine Gonzalez, Director of Inclusion & Intercultural Engagement
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Time: 12:30-1:45 p.m., via Zoom
Description: Honest, deep and sustained conversations about inclusion and social justice start with the exploration of self. This session will encourage participants to reflect on their own social identities. Furthermore, participants will learn how to examine and challenge their daily practices to begin a journey toward critical consciousness. The session will consist of small group discussion, interactive activities, and critical thinking through the lens of storytelling.
Open to: SJC students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The Time is Now: Building for Inclusive Excellence, Social Justice, and Community at SJC
Dr. Derek Greenfield, Keynote Speaker
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18
Time: 12:30-1:45 p.m., via Zoom
Description: During a time of racial trauma, contested elections and a global pandemic, it can be challenging to feel united as a community in the mission to build a better campus and world. In this highly interactive session, students will learn new skills for bringing the spirit of inclusive excellence and equity into their daily interactions — with the goal of strengthening the movement for positive social change, so that every student at SJC can be at their best. From exploring social identity and unconscious bias to sharing our own personal stories, the session will include a host of dynamic opportunities to learn more about ourselves and one another. To close the session, the presenter will provide an exciting opportunity for everyone to celebrate one another and feel valued.
Open to: SJC students
The Time is Now: Building for Inclusive Excellence, Social Justice, and Community at SJC
Dr. Derek Greenfield, Keynote Speaker
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19
Time: 12:30-1:45 p.m., via Zoom
Description: This highly interactive virtual session will advance the notion of inclusive excellence as a guiding feature for our work with students, particularly during a time of racial trauma and considerable social unrest. The presentation will begin with a thoughtful exploration of the power of culture in shaping our thoughts and practices as well as in producing potential unconscious biases that can create barriers to learning for our students.
Through concrete examples and experiential exercises, the presenter will model powerful educational practices that affirm students, incorporate their cultural backgrounds as tools for learning, and establish a healthy context for courageous conversations around social identity. Participants will gain a host of practical strategies for immediate implementation in their professional and personal lives. This session concludes with an exciting opportunity for faculty and staff members to share personally and celebrate one another as agents of positive change in this mission to best support our students in feeling valued and achieving their dreams.
Open to: SJC faculty and staff
Mindfulness, Social Responsibility, and Self-Care
Dr. Mary Schultz, Director of Counseling
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19
Time: 12:40-1:40 p.m., via Zoom
Description: Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Mindfulness practice is the intentional, present moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, sensations and surroundings without judgment. This session will discuss how to incorporate mindfulness and self-care techniques into our everyday routine, as we engage in social justice learning and advocacy.
Open to: SJC students, faculty, staff and alumni
