For the first time ever, DU will host its 12th annual Diversity Summit on Inclusive Excellence over three days, May 9-11. The conference theme is “Championing Equity to Inspire Change” and all students, faculty and alumni can register and attend.
According to Vice-Chair of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Diversity Committee and Coordinator at the Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME) Stuart Portman, the Diversity Summit aims to advance inclusive excellence on campus.
Portman said that the reason for the longer time period is to include a combination of past tradition and a day of service.
“The Diversity Summit seeks to expand the skill sets of participants by bringing in speakers and providing panel workshops for everyone,” said Portman.
The Diversity Summit will include a keynote speaker event Thursday, May 9, followed by a workshop and panel day of experts speaking about equity and action in communities Friday, May 10.
This year, education professor Pedro Noguera will be the Diversity Summit keynote speaker. Noguera has appeared in numerous international media, including CNN and is currently a professor at New York University.
“[Noguera’s] experience is the message we want to relay,” said Portman. “He embodies the action-orientated, intellectually stimulating and empowering tradition of DU’s Diversity Summit.”
Portman also said that 13 colleges from all over Colorado, as well as business groups, will participate in an invitation-only “Think Tank for Equity” session on Friday.
The final day, Saturday, May 11, is a “Day of Action,” in which the CME is partnering with DU Service and Change (DUSC) to bring approximately 400 local Munroe Elementary School families to campus to inspire them to achieve “College for Certain.”
“The Day of Action perfectly aligns with Munroe’s motto that proclaims higher education as an exciting and reachable goal for Munroe students, many of whom will be first-generation college students,” said Ryan Hanschen, program coordinator for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.
As in past years, Portman said that both the DU Chancellor Robert Coombe and Provost Gregg Kvistad will be attending the Summit, despite this year’s larger time commitment.
“The Diversity Committee and CME has partnered with a wide range of student organizations and campus members to bring this day together,” said Portman.
In addition to partnering with DUSC, Portman said that sponsorships have been coming from “all over.” Portman said that the USG Diversity Committee and DU’s Programming Board (DUPB) have been the biggest sponsors of the event.
Similarly, Hanschen said that “DUSC’s efforts to support the Diversity Summit Day of Action mirror their commitment to facilitating positive change for the public good and to providing diverse volunteer opportunities for all members of the DU community.”
“From past experience those who have participated in the Summit have loved it,” said Portman. “It is a great opportunity to network with similar people.”
To register for the Diversity Summit, volunteer with DUSC Saturday, or learn more about participating in the planning of the event for next year visit: http://www.du.edu/cme/summit.html.
