Spring 2018 Academic and Student Affairs Equity and Inclusion Conference
Thursday, June 7, 2018
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Conference
Change Leadership Equity Minded Practitioners Student Success Campus Climate
High Impact Practices Strategies to Eliminate Gaps Access and Transition to Higher Ed Other
7:00 – 8:30 a.m. / Breakfast / Garvey Commons7:00 – 8:30 a.m. / Registration / Ritsche Auditorium Lobby
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. / Welcome: Ron Anderson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs,
Clyde Wilson Pickett, Chief Diversity Officer / Ritsche Auditorium
8:40 – 9:00 a.m. / Introduction: Devinder Malholtra, Chancellor / Ritsche Auditorium
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. / Keynote: Dr. Estela Mara Bensimon / Ritsche Auditorium
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. / BREAK
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Functional Area Groups - Concurrent Session (75 minute session)
College Chief Academic Officers
This session is for college chief academic affairs officers. The agenda will be focused on topics generated by members of the group.
Conveners: Leslie Bleskachek, Minnesota State College Southeast
Room: 106
University Chief Academic Officers
This session is for university chief academic affairs officers. The agenda will be focused on topics generated by members of the group.
Conveners: Dwight Watson, Southwest Minnesota State University
Room: 110
Student Affairs Leaders Group
This session is for chief student affairs officers and student affairs deans. The agenda will be focused on topics generated by members of the group.
Conveners: Brent Glass, System Office; Brenda Amenson-Hill, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Michael Anthony, Rochester Community and Technical College
Room: 220
Institutional Research Group
This session will provide Institutional Research staff an opportunity to network with colleagues from across the system and to share successes, challenges and strategies. It is also a chance to share information about projects you are undertaking on your campus and to hear about the IR work occurring at other colleges and universities within Minnesota State.
Conveners: Susan Carter, System Office;Jennifer Pearson Hennen, Anoka-Ramsey Community College & Anoka Technical College
Room: 104
Campus Diversity Officers and Practitioners
Campus Diversity Officers and Diversity Practitioners will gather to discuss and strategize further best practice models to advance student success. This session further supports the Equity Competency Series and will address equity competencies for higher education practitioners as well as provide an opportunity for diversity officers/practitioners to meet in their 4-year and 2-year respective groups. CDOs will discuss models of student success for under-represented student populations including African American, Latin X, Asian, and American Indian male students.
The time together will provide an opportunity to:
• Cultivate greater skill and competency in equity-minded approaches to support student success initiatives.
• Develop strategies to cultivate a supportive network for collaboration and accountability.
• Advance leadership skills to support and advance equity and inclusion efforts on campuses.
• Share best practice models to support student success
Conveners: Clyde Pickett, System Office; Trumanue Lindsey, Century College; Jamie Randall, North Hennepin Community College
Room: 108
University Academic Deans
This session will provide deans with the opportunity for networking, professional development, and a general discussion of matters important to the role of an academic dean at Minnesota State.
Conveners: Tarrell Portman, Winona State University; Jon Dalager, System Office
Room: 102
College Academic Deans
This session will provide deans with the opportunity for networking, professional development, and a general discussion of matters important to the role of an academic dean at Minnesota State.
Conveners: Kristina Keller, St. Cloud Technical and Community College; Todd Thorsgaard, System Office
Room: 120
Student Development Roundtable
This session is for professionals who would like to learn or discuss topics related to student development practice or theory.
Conveners: Paul Shepherd, System Office
Room: 203
Strategic Enrollment Management Roundtable
This session is for professionals who would like to learn or discuss topics related to enrollment management practices or theory.
Conveners: Ashley Weatherspoon, Metropolitan State University
Room: 219
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. / LUNCH / Garvey Commons
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. / Concurrent Session (60 minute session)
Promoting Campus Inclusion Beyond Gender Binaries: Model Policies and Practices for Transgender Student Success
Visibility of the transgender rights movement and transgender individuals has increased significantly in recent years. Contrary to the positive outcomes of mainstream visibility, social and health indicators for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals are declining. How does this impact higher education recruitment, retention, and success for students of a non-binary gender experience? In this session, participants will learn about the current social and legal context, as well as model policies and practices to support transgender nonconforming students. Participants will receive educational resources to bring back to their campus.
Presenters: Dr. Saby Labor, Resilient Campus
Room:102
Masks, Myths and Invisible Disabilities
This session delivers a perspective on the masks people with invisible disabilities wear in education and work settings and the myths surrounding invisible disabilities, with a focus on chronic conditions. Goals of the session include:
1. Increase participant confidence in communicating about disabilities.
2. Identify organizational best practices that foster achievement, compassion and inclusion.
Session participants will have an opportunity to share best practices related to session goal 2.
Presenters: Jill Abbott, Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Room: 219
Addressing the educational opportunities of American Indian students in higher education
Culturally competent student affairs professionals can greatly impact the success of American Indian students and address the barriers and challenges these students face in higher education. Members of the Native Nations Taskforce will present a Guide for Student Affairs Professionals Serving American Indian Students. This guide is a newly created resource for higher education institutions that are working to address educational disparities among American Indian students.
Participants will have an opportunity to learn the context and history of American Indians in higher education while also learn and discuss effective practices to apply in their day-to-day practice.
Presenters: Josefina Landrieu, System Office; Mary Sam, Central Lakes College; Donna Brown, Minnesota State University Moorhead; William Blackwell, Bemidji State University
Room:220
Racial Disproportionality in the Student Conduct Process
We see bias play out in processes and policies across our campuses. We invite you to join our conversation around the implicit bias that impacts student conduct processes, from how certain students and behaviors are perceived, to the disproportionate number of referrals and disparity in outcomes of students of color as compared to their white counterparts. As a group we will explore the use of data to change this trajectory, identify potential strategies to change campus climate and create equitable processes.
Presenters: Dara Hagen, Normandale Community College; Justin Martin, Normandale Community College; Jessica Lauritsen, Hennepin Technical College; Elena Favela, North Hennepin Community College; Elton Dahn, North Hennepin Community College
Room:120
Closing the Achievement Gap
Barriers to recruiting, retaining and graduating low-income college students can be effectively addressed through intentional, holistic partnerships between organizations and higher education institutions. College Possible has developed access and success-focused partnership models to increase recruitment and enrollment as well as retention and graduation of low-income students. In this session, College Possible and partner college representatives will explore intentional approaches to partnership and learnings and challenges along the way.
Presenters: Precious Palmer, St. Cloud State University; Carrie Carroll, College Possible
Room: 203
Improving Operations to Support Sustainability, Employee Retention, and Student Success
The work of academic administrators involves a wide range of responsibilities, including personnel management, strategic leadership, and academic operations. MCTC has established unique positions within to support the wide range of academic operations necessary to support academic & curricular program management, division operations, and financial sustainability that fosters student success. The presenters will share their models and provide some examples of their impact, and attendees will have an opportunity to discuss strategies and needs at their campuses.
Presenters: Elizabeth Erredge, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Tom Williamson, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Gail O’Kane, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Jennifer Stauffer, Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Room: 106
Bridging the Academic and Student Affairs Divide to Facilitate Real Conversations about Race
This presentation highlights strategic, innovative curricular and co-curricular programming by campus stakeholders in academic and student affairs to make meaningful impact on creating an inclusive, socially just campus community. Learn about the collaborative processes Hennepin Technical College used to explore race and identity and encourage campus dialogue, facilitated by students, in an authentic and engaging way.
Presenters: Monica Erling, Hennepin Technical College; Brenna Hucka, Hennepin Technical College; Jean Maierhofer, Hennepin Technical College; Yolanda Martinez-Pineda, Hennepin Technical College; Lucky Perryman, Hennepin Technical College
Room: 108
Promoting technology for co-curricular tracking and increasing student engagement on campus
St. Cloud State University upgraded from CollegiateLink to HuskiesConnect, an online campus engagement platform that helps collect and track student experiences. With this rebrand came a new campus outlook expanding the usage from student organization management to a co-curricular platform. This session will review how this process led to the adoption from over 60 university units, increase in student, staff, and faculty engagement, and powering the university events calendar.
Presenter: Samantha Bosacki, St. Cloud State University
Room: 104
2:00 – 2:15 p.m. / BREAK
2:15 – 3:30 p.m. / Concurrent Session (75 minute session)
Military Connected Students - Are You Ready For Them?
Do you feel like an army of one when it comes to working with military connected students? The work is multi-faceted with so many regulatory complexities, trying to understand the military to college transition, awarding credit for military courses and occupations, and insufficient data collection. This session provides an overview of variables affecting this work and offers tangible strategies for institutions to consider adopting based on proven examples from system colleges and universities.
Presenters: Gina Sobania, System Office; Zac Mangas, St. Cloud State University
Room: 108
What about Us? Professional Competencies for Supporting Students with Disabilities
A recent review of the Professional Competencies for Student Affairs Practitioners (ACPA & NASPA, 2015) shifts multicultural criterion from "awareness of diversity" to an "expectation of engagement and active participation in social justice and inclusion". This session/workshop introduces Disability-Related Competencies for equity minded practitioners and provides an opportunity for individuals to evaluate their knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to supporting students with disabilities on our college campuses.
Presenter: Molly Tast, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Room: 219
Underrepresented Student Success Factors and the Equity Gap Case Study: Dakota County Technical College
Dakota County Technical College is a public two-year Minnesota State Institution dedicated to providing education for employment, where all of its students have access to quality education while preparing for rewarding careers. In recent years, DCTC has experienced important changes in demographics, resulting in an increased percentage of students of color. Thus, it becomes a strategic priority to understand the status of the college’s equity gap and to improve the college’s efforts to deliver educational equity effectively.
Since fall 2007, DCTC has seen progress in closing the Student Success gap, with the fall 2015 cohort having a ratio of .98. However, in an effort to raise understanding and institutional awareness, a research project, conducted in fall 2017, provided additional findings that have been instrumental in fostering equity-minded conversations and actions throughout our campus community.
This research case study explored how students, faculty, staff and alumni describe their experiences in regards to student success and educational equity. The presenters will share insights on the research results and the opportunities to implement equity-minded practices and actions.
Presenters: Harold Torrence, Dakota County Technical College; Wendy Marson, Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College; Steven Christiansen, Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College
Room: 106
Is Equity and Inclusion Compliance Optional?
Too often Equity and Inclusion compliance is either undervalued or seen as optional; moreover, competing interests and lack of resources regulate Equity and Inclusion compliance to marginalized status. This session will explore disparate responses to compliance with Equity and Inclusion policies, regulations, and laws. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on the state and standards of this phenomena.
Presenters: Caidin Riley, Minneapolis Community and Technical College; John Parker Der Boghossian, Rainbow Health Initiative
Room: 110
Implementing High-Impact Practices in the First-Year Seminar and Beyond
The American Association of Colleges and Universities has identified a variety of practices as having high-impact on the student learning experience, experiences such as first-year seminars, community-based learning, and common intellectual experiences. The creation of such experiences does not guarantee a high-impact on student learning. This session explores some of the features of what makes high-impact practices effective, particularly in the first year of college, with special attention to the first-year seminar.
Presenter: Christine Metzo, St. Cloud State University
Room: 104
Transfer Pathways: The Road Behind, The Road Ahead
This session will provide updates on the Transfer Pathways Project and the process of implementing the pathways at system colleges and universities. College and university campus representatives along with Academic and Student Affairs staff will share transfer pathways implementation status and plans for the future.
Presenters: Kim Lynch, System Office; Louise DiCesare, System Office; Marta Mohr, System Office; Nicole Merz, System Office;
Room: 120
Developmental Education Strategic Roadmap: Accelerated Options, Multiple Measures, and More!
The Developmental Education Strategic Roadmap for Minnesota State is all set for implementation. Attend this session to get an overview and discuss next steps (both at the system and campus levels) on the strategic goal areas: accelerated options, comprehensive student support programming, professional development, evaluation, and more. The session will also touch on the Next Generation Accuplacer transition and ask for feedback on the proposed multiple measures course placement framework. Join in an interactive discussion with your colleagues on how our campuses will implement all of the action items to meet the strategic goals, with a focus on access, equity, and student success.
Presenters: Cary Komoto, Normandale Community College Andrew Nesset, Century College; Greg Rathert, Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Judy Shultz, South Central College; Pakou Yang, System Office
Room: 102
Implementing Guided Pathways to Improve Student Success
Guided Pathways are a national high impact practice for Student Engagement and Success that supports Minnesota State’s system priority to improve student persistence and completion. Join Century College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College as we share how our two colleges are implementing Guided Pathways and the benefits and challenges that we are experiencing. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of this high impact practice and strategies for implementing them at your institution.
Presenters: Michael Berndt, Century College; Gail O’Kane, Minneapolis Community and Technical College; Katie Svoboda, Century College; Elizabeth Erredge, Minneapolis Community and Technical College; LuAnn Wood, Century College; Heidi Aldes, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Yvette Trotman, Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Room: 220
Concurrent Enrollment Pathways to Minimum Faculty Qualifications
This session will increase your understanding about concurrent enrollment across the system and the collective efforts underway to support concurrent enrollment instructors in meeting minimum faculty qualifications. Get the latest updates on the implementation of the Concurrent Enrollment Comprehensive Plan components to address minimum faculty qualifications. Learn more about 18 Online and the Statewide Partnership for Concurrent Enrollment initiatives that are supporting concurrent instructors as they pursue the graduate level coursework in a variety of disciplines. Also, get a preview of the tested experience via credit for prior learning pathway in development at Southwest Minnesota State University!
Presenters: Jessica Espinosa, System Office; Boyd Bradbury, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Kim Guenther, Southwest Minnesota State University; Jake Law, Metro ECSU
Room: 203
3:30 – 3:45 p.m. / BREAK
3:45 – 5:00 p.m. / Concurrent Session (75 minute session)
Speed Hating: A Blind Date with Bias
This interactive session will help you change the cultural dynamic of your organization. Through introspective connection and dialogue, participants will experience the magical understanding of implicit and explicit bias unfold before their eyes. This transformative training experience will provide participants with a greater understanding of discrimination, microaggressions and cultural competence and their positive and negative impact on the success of underrepresented student populations.
Presenters: Kelly Meier, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Briana Williamson, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Room: 120
Anti-Racist Pedagogy Across the Curriculum (ARPAC) Project at St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University’s award winning Anti-Racist Pedagogy Across the Curriculum (ARPAC) Project will be overviewed in three parts: 1.) a review of the rationale and history of the ARPAC Project, including the workshop and Community of Practice; 2.) a brief summary of the program assessment research and its findings, and 3.) a small panel of ARPAC participants sharing their individual experiences of actively applying anti-racist pedagogy in their teaching, research, and broader work.
Presenters: Giovanni Antunez, St. Cloud State University; Nathan Winter, St. Cloud State University; Mary Clifford, St. Cloud State University; Kyoko Kishimoto, St. Cloud State University; Debra Leigh, St. Cloud State University; Melissa Prescott, St. Cloud State University; Iyekiyapiwin Darlene St. Clair, St. Cloud State University; Kerry Livingston, Southwest Minnesota State University
Room: 102
Regional Planning Redux
Collaborative and regional planning has been identified by our Board of Trustees as an opportunity to advance collaborative strategies among system colleges and universities and deeper connections with external partners and workforce needs. A combination of system level recommendations and regional and local initiatives are informing an approach to regional and system collaboration in academic programs and initiatives. This interactive session will seek your feedback on these recommendations and on associated implementation.
Presenters: Todd Harmening, System Office; Dwight Watson, Southwest Minnesota State University; Jeff Williamson, Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Room: 219
Working Effectively with Muslim Students and Families
This presentation will discuss how to effectively work with Muslim youth and their families by bringing attention to potential bias, and provide an overview of Muslim customs and practices, emphasizing Islam’s diversity of practice. This session will also address some issues prevalent in schools, such as bullying, that affect Muslim youth. Participants will leave this session with an understanding of Muslim demographics and information regarding how to engage with Muslim youth and families.
Presenter: Jaylani Husseein, Council on American-Islamic Relations of Minnesota
Room: 203
PALS: Supporting Student Success through Library Technology
PALS offers system-wide technology and services that support student success through the access of library services and faculty access to OER material. Learn about the new features available through library upgrade and re-envisioned Islandora for OER.
Presenters: Tim Anderson, System Office; Johnna Horton, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Room: 104
Accelerating Transitions: Understanding what CPL can do for your students!
The future for CPL in Minnesota State has never been brighter! Beginning with "Charting the Future," campus leaders have charted a course for system-wide adoption of new CPL policies and best student and business practices. This session will provide a framework to guide campuses on expanding CPL options for students and will describe how to advocate for CPL as a part of strategic enrollment management for adult learners.
Presenters: Mary Rothchild, System Office; Pakou Yang, System Office; Susan Carter, System Office; Gina Sobania, System Office
Room: 108
Negotiated Changes of 2017-2019 IFO Contract
The presenters will provide a summary of the 2017-2019 changes to the IFO contract as a result of negotiations.
Presenters: Chris Dale, System Office; Jim Jorstad, System Office; Andrea Kubat, System Office
Room: 220
Supporting Equity in Teaching and Learning
Successful learning experiences for all students will not happen without ensuring high-quality, equity-focused learning opportunities for instructors. Presenters will highlight faculty development initiatives that encourage critical reflection and integration of inclusive teaching practices: a statewide equity book group, workshops on accessibility, efforts to encourage the use of low-cost course materials, and new opportunities around disciplinary collaborations and culturally relevant pedagogy. Participants will leave with multiple resources to take back and share on their campuses.
Presenters: Kimberly Johnson, System Office; Cheryl Neudauer, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Rebecca March, Minneapolis Community & Technical College; Elizabeth McMahon, Northland Community & Technical College; Karen Pikula, Central Lakes College
Room: 106
Spring 2018 Academic and Student Affairs Equity and Inclusion Conference