CLA Inclusive Excellence Conference call for proposals

The College of Liberal Arts Inclusive Excellence Conference (formerly the CLA Diversity Symposium) is organized by the CLA Inclusive Excellence team to offer undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff the opportunity to propose research that explores points of collaboration, conflict, influence and reinvention of the many factors related to diversity, equity and inclusion in research, academics and community engagement.

All students and faculty are encouraged to submit 250-word abstracts or descriptions for presentations and posters via Qualtrics by March 13.

Areas of study presented may include (but are not limited to):

• cultural variables

• race relations

• women's issues

• accessibility and disability services and initiatives

• community outreach

• multicultural competency

• governmental initiatives to improve diversity

• history of diversity issues

Hosted in the Harold D. Melton Student Center Rooms 2222/2223 from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on April 19, the College of Liberal Arts Inclusive Excellence Conference provides an opportunity for academic and external communities to collaborate and raise awareness of these important issues. Attendees can register via Eventbrite by April 12.

The keynote speaker is Taffye Clayton, associate provost and vice president in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Auburn University. The Auburn University Mosaic Theatre Company will perform an original work encouraging dialogue creatively in the movements of history, equity, diversity and inclusion in classroom, on campus and throughout the community. In addition, undergraduate and graduate students from across all disciplines at Auburn University will share spoken word during lunch.

The CLA Inclusive Excellence Conference is free and open to all Auburn University students, faculty, staff and the community.

If you have questions, please contact the organizers: Director of Inclusive Excellence Joan R. Harrell, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office, or CLA Outreach Graduate Assistant LaJae Coleman-Kirumba.

Conference themes this year include:

Student Access and Persistence: Developing and implementing evidence-based strategies and promising practices that are institutionally and culturally informed to create and strengthen an institutional culture for access, opportunity and success for all students.

Inclusive Excellence Faculty Development: Committing to a culture of faculty and professional development to cultivate and sustain readiness levels by becoming fluent in skilled evidence-based approaches and promising practices in pedagogy and classroom management

Institutional Change and Capacity Building for Inclusive Excellence: Increased awareness of the systems, behaviors, practices and norms for individuals and institutions effectively modeling inclusive excellence including skills, knowledge and organizational learning needed to advance and sustain these efforts.

Evaluating Institutional Systems Towards Modeling Inclusive Excellence: Examining institutional systems, policies and practices to determine and address barriers and impediments to thriving, quality of life and quality of experience for students, faculty and staff.