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Call for Proposals

Proposals for the 2024 Tri-State Conference on Diversity & Inclusion are now being accepted.  The Conference will be held September 19th and hosted by Shawnee State University.

 

We are accepting proposals related to the 2024 conference topic of A Call to Action: Navigating Higher Education. Proposals will be accepted until all all sessions are filled. Please submit early to improve your chances of being accepted. Below, are examples of session topics within broad themed track.

 

Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Inclusive Recruitment and Retention

  • Explore effective strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students.

  • Discuss the challenges and successes in creating an inclusive campus environment.

 

From Awareness to Action: Implementing Effective Diversity Training Programs

  • Evaluate the impact of diversity training programs and how to move beyond awareness to actionable change.

  • Share best practices for training faculty and staff on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Supporting Marginalized Students: Resources and Best Practices

  • Identify resources and support systems for marginalized and underrepresented students.

  • Best practices for creating a campus environment where all students feel valued and supported.

  • Addressing the mental health needs of underrepresented and marginalized students.

  • Providing effective support services that create a sense of belonging.

 

Leadership in Diversity: Developing Skills for Advocacy and Change

  • Training and workshops for developing leadership skills focused on advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

  • Case studies of successful diversity initiatives led by higher education leaders.

  • Inclusivity v Diversity

  • Authentic Leadership

  • Dismantling Ableism

  • Leading with PRIDE (LGBTQ+)

  • Fostering Open Dialogue and Communication

  • Addressing the Elephant in the Room – How to have difficult conversations

  • Reframing Campus Conflict

 

Transforming Campus Culture: Effective Diversity Policies and Practices

  • Developing and implementing policies that foster an inclusive campus culture.

  • Developing policies and practices to dismantle systemic barriers and promote equity.

  • Inclusion of counterspaces within the work environment

  • Building safe and brave spaces for open dialogue

  • Active Listening (Listen, Learn and Engage)

  • Relationship Management/Collaboration of Discovery and Self-Disclosure

  • Breaking Down Siloes and Barriers

  • Acknowledge and Addressing Harm

 

The Role of Student Organizations in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

  • How student organizations can be catalysts for change on campus.

  • Examples of successful student-led diversity and inclusion initiatives.

 

Measuring Progress: Assessing Diversity and Inclusion Efforts in Higher Ed

  • Methods and tools for assessing the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion programs.

  • Using data to drive continuous improvement in diversity initiatives.

 

Building Allies: Engaging the Campus Community in Diversity Efforts

  • Strategies for engaging all members of the campus community in diversity and inclusion efforts.

  • Creating allyship programs and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

 

The Future of Diversity in Higher Education: Trends and Innovations

  • Exploring emerging trends and innovations in diversity and inclusion in higher education.

  • Predicting future challenges and opportunities in creating equitable educational environments.

 

Bridging the Gap: Community Engagement and Partnerships

  • Building partnerships with local communities to enhance diversity efforts.

  • Examples of community engagement projects that support mutual growth and understanding.

 

Transforming Campus Culture: Effective Diversity Policies and Practices

  • Developing and implementing policies that foster an inclusive campus culture.

  • Case studies of institutions that have successfully navigated these changes.

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We are calling for all education, social work, social service agencies, state and local government, judiciary, health care, and business and industry practitioners to submit proposals sharing experiences and best practices through thought-provoking presentations, interactive demonstrations, and engaging conversations.

/   Who Should Submit a Proposal

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All sessions should be designed to be 60 minutes in length, including a question and answer period.

/  Length of Presentation

02

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/ Audience Experience Level

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/  Presentation Scope

Conference participants include high school and college students as well as entry to senior level professionals from across the spectrum of organizations and institutions. Presentations should indicate if they are best suited for secondary students, post-secondary students, professionals, or are appropriate for all levels of experience.

06

/  Proposal Criteria

  • Proposals should supplement and enhance the conference theme.

  • Proposals may be papers, presentations, workshops, performances, or other creative modes of promoting the education and acceptance of diversity and inclusion.

  • Proposals may be submitted by individuals or groups of students, faculty, staff and community members.

  • Be complete (Typed and limited to 300 words; include the following sections: Title, Target Audience, Session Synopsis/Abstract, Objectives/Outcome, Method of Presentation {i.e. discussion, power point, activity, etc.} and Equipment Needs).

  • Include the presenter(s) name, job title, institution/organizational affiliation, complete mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, and biographical information (limit biographical information to 500 words).

07

/  Presentation Policy

Presenters are responsible for providing all handouts to attendees and their own travel expenses. Presenters are also responsible for providing an electronic copy of their presentation to the Planning Committee one week prior to the event. This electronic copy will be posted to the event website and may be downloaded by others.  Presenters should indicate any audiovisual equipment needs with their proposal. The Planning Committee will not be able to honor onsite requests the day of the conference.

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Additional Materials: Presenters selected will be expected to cooperate with the continuing education guidelines of the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling and/or the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors as required by the Planning Committee.

Presentations should be interactive, engaging, and relevant to the learning outcomes of this conference. If presentation focus is more appropriate for corporate, social agency, and/or higher education, it should be clearly identified as such.

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/  Proposal Submission

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/  Submission Requirements

Proposals may be submitted by individuals or groups composed of students, faculty, staff, and community members.  All proposals must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and limited to 300 words.  Complete proposals will contain the following presenter information:

  • Clear identification of the lead presenter who will serve as the contact person

  • Presenter(s) name(s)

  • Job title

  • Institution/organizational affiliation

  • Complete mailing address

  • Telephone number

  • E-mail address

  • Biographical sketch (500 words or less)

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Questions? 

Robert Pleasant

Director

Office of Student Services

Ohio University Southern
740.533.4600

pleasanr@ohio.edu

 

Veella R. Grooms, Ed.D. (She/Her/Hers) 

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion  

Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) 

University of Pittsburgh

VRG13@pitt.edu

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Complete proposals will contain the following session information 

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  • Audience Experience Level

  • Presentation Scope

  • Session Synopsis/Abstract

  • Method of Presentation (i.e. discussion, power point, activity, etc.)

  • Audiovisual Equipment Need

     

*It is strongly suggested that you place the above email address in your contact/whitelist to prevent bounce-backs as notification will be made in email. 

Partnering Institutions
 

Marshall University

Marshall University School of Medicine

Ohio University Southern

Ashland Community & Technical College

​Morehead State University

Mountwest Community & Technical College

Shawnee State University

University of Rio Grande

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