2016-2017 Speakers:
Implicit Bias (May 26, 2017) with Dr. Benjamin Reese
In the last of the speakers’ series, we will explore Implicit Bias with Dr. Benjamin Reese. Dr. Reese has more than 40 years of experience in the areas of organizational change, cross-cultural development, and conflict resolution. Dr. Reese will hold three events: "Implicit Bias and Challenges in Today’s Environment," a workshop for those who serve students; "Implicit Bias: Impact," a public form; and "Implicit Bias on Campus: What Is My Role?" in which Dr. Reese will address student concerns. In each event, participants will learn about the specific manifestations of implicit bias and how to counteract it in ways that lead to increased faculty diversity and better outcomes for selecting and engaging students. Implicit Bias Bibliography
A Deeper Black: Race in America, (February 3, 2017) with Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates is the author of “Between the World and Me” and winner of the 2015 National Book Award for nonfiction. Coates is the 2017 Ruhl Lecturer at the UO School of Journalism and Communication. Incoming UO freshmen are reading and discussing the book over the course of the coming school year as part of the 2016-17 UO Common Reading book selection. Coates’ lecture is titled “A Deeper Black: Race in America” and will tackle the systemic racism and racist policies that have been inseparable from the growth of the nation.
Show Me The Money: The Changing Landscape of Diversity in American Philanthropy (November 8, 2016) with George Zeno
Access to higher education comes at a price and as state resources continue to decline, colleges and universities are turning to philanthropy to help educate our future generation of leaders. Berkeley and University of Michigan, among others, have raised millions of dollars in support of African American scholarships and other diversity initiatives. As we seek to become more excellent, it is only fitting that we seek philanthropic resources in this area. To help the UO learn more about how to raise money for African American initiatives and support diversity work more generally, we are bringing to campus George Zeno, whose successful leadership has raised millions of dollars in funding at UW and now at Berkeley. On campus, he will meet with development officers, Deans, students, and prospective donors to ensure that we are not just effectively fundraising, but that our fundraising opportunities are as inclusive as possible.
Transforming Our Judiciary, Changing Our World (October 31-November 3, 2016) with Lady Georgina Theodora Wood
Around the world, the judiciary is a leading force for societal transformation and change. Among the global leaders in this area is Ghana’s first female Supreme Court Justice Lady Georgina Theodora Wood. She will visit our campus in early November 2016 to talk about the judicial reform that she has catalyzed in Ghana and other parts of the African continent, as well as her focus on alternative dispute resolution.
Envisioning, Attaining and Institutionalizing Diversity in STEM Education and Research (Monday, October 17, 2016) with Dr. Kelly Mack
Historically, African Americans have made important contributions to medicine, technology, science and math, but those contributions have lagged recently in the wake of inadequate K-12 education and poor pipelines to science opportunities. The UO seeks to be a leader in STEM education and research by educating and empowering the broadest array of talent. To that end, we have invited Dr. Kelly Mack, Vice President for American Association of College and University’s national project to reform undergraduate STEM education. Dr. Kelly will host a town hall meeting with faculty, community partners, staff and students on the most promising practices for engaging faculty, undergraduate and graduate students in STEM education and professions. She will also meet with leaders who are responsible for faculty development to share tips and strategies for persistence among women, African Americans, and other minorities in higher education.