Events | Diversity Leadership Development Initiative

Resources:

Higher Education Resources
October is Careers in Students Affairs Month!
Webinars On Demand: Learning at Your Leisure

Higher Education Resources

A list of campus resources of interest that are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is available on the Diversity at Stony Brook website.

Diversity Issues in Higher Education

Chronicle of Higher Education

Inside Higher Ed

National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)

American College Personnel Administrators (ACPA)

Webinars On Demand: Learning at Your Leisure

Each of the webinars below focuses on different DEIB topics that may be of interest to you. To view, click on the program title.

Have you attended professional webinars/webcasts on DEIB-related topics in the past year? If so, you can complete this form to share recordings of the webinar with our colleagues!

Upcoming Programs

PAST PROGRAMS

RACE/ETHNICITY

Conflict is an sure part of life. The best relationships undergo conflict. What happens when we, or students, have harmed those in close proximity to us? Our peers have a major impact on our daily lives. Conflict can impact almost every aspect of a team. However, we can use Restorative Justice to work through conflict in a peaceful/productive manner. Participants will engage in small group and paired discussions exploring their view of conflict and repairing harm. This session would be most useful those who supervise student/professional staff.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify at least one salient emotion they experience when engaged in conflict
2. Examine how they respond to direct or indirect conflict
3. Articulate how to find the needs and interests of those in conflict
Sponsor: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Jasmith Joseph
Air Date: 4/10/25
The presenter will guide attendees in developing an Anti-Racist Supervisory Toolkit through an engaging blend of lecture, collaborative artwork, and think-pair-share activities. Participants will explore strategies for fostering equity and inclusion in their supervisory roles, reflect on personal biases, and create visual representations of their commitment to anti-racism. The presenter offers actionable insights and creative exercises to empower supervisors to transform their leadership practices and build supportive, inclusive workplaces.
Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize and apply effective anti-racist strategies in their supervisory practices, integrating insights from current research and theories on equity and inclusion.
2. Create personalized action plans for implementing anti-racist practices in their roles, using collaborative artwork and discussion to reflect on their commitments and specific goals.
3. Exemplify cultural competency by engaging in discussions and exercises that challenge their biases, broaden their understanding of systemic racism, and improve their ability to support a diverse team.
Sponsor: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Summie Bledsoe, American University
Air Date: 4/9/25
The presenters will explore how community cultural wealth can be leveraged to uplift and celebrate professionals of color in student affairs. Attendees will learn to apply Yasso's framework across various career stages, from entry-level to senior administrators. The session will also offer practical strategies for recognizing team contributions and innovative initiatives to enhance retention. Join us to gain actionable insights on fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Learning Outcomes
1. Review the Community Cultural Wealth model
2. Describe the application of the Community Cultural Wealth framework across different career levels
3. Apply evidence-based strategies that empower and recognize professionals of color
Sponsor: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Daksha Khatri, George Washington University; Sean Watley, George Washington University
Air Date: 4/9/25
Working with International Students
Supporting international students can be a challenge. In this session, we will discuss what kinds of on-campus supports are crucial to an international student’s success, what challenges to they have to face that domestic students do not, and what can faculty/staff do to support them. Recording here
Sponsor: SUNY Center for Professional Development
Speakers: Tricia Tierney, University of Buffalo
Air Date: 10/18/2024
Breaking Barries: Black Men and Mental Health Pt. 2
This session will explore how stress, racial trauma, and the pressures of professional environments affect both mental and physical well-being. Participants will gain insights into the physiological and psychological toll of these experiences, and how they can manifest in everyday life.
Sponsor: American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE)
Speakers: Dr. Kamal Wright-Cunningham, George Washington University; Dr. Ajita M. Robinson, George Washington University
Aired: 09/20/2024

GENDER

Empowering Women in Leadership: Strategies from a Candidate Preparedness Guide
The ACE Women’s Network Executive Council (WNEC) recognizes the critical need to prepare women leaders for the executive level application and interview process in higher education. In partnership with the American Council on Education (ACE), the WNEC developed Preparing for a Presidential or Executive-Level Search in Higher Education: A Guide for Women in Leadership, a resource for women candidates looking for guidance in the executive level search process, featuring topics such as roles of integral stakeholders and important questions to consider.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Kim Lee; Hollie Chessman; Marion Frenche; Jann L. Joseph, Georgia Gwinnett College; Maya Ranchod Kirkhope
Aired: 07/16/25

The Perpetual Benefits of Mentoring
This session will explore the rewarding benefits and outcomes of mentoring with an emphasis on collaboration between and for women in Higher Education.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Kim Lee; Ardis Eschenberg, Windward Community College; Chanta Haywood, Coppin State University; Daria J. Willis, Howard Community College
Aired: 03/19/25

ACE Women's Leadership Dinner: Systematically Advancing Women in Higher Education Leadership
This session will explore effective strategies for advancing and supporting women in Higher Eduation leadership roles.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Ted Mitchell and Belle Wheelan
Aired: 02/13/25

Holisitic Well-Being and Fiscal Strategy for Women in Higher Education Leadership
This session will explore how to intentionally and strategically supporting yourself both in the present and for the future by breaking down barriers, finding balance and well-being while navigating leadership in higher education. This event—the fourth in the 2024 Women’s Leadership Speaker Series—features a diverse group of experts who will provide insight into holistic and fiscal well-being, addressing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Kim Lee; Jann L. Joseph, Georgia Gwinnett College; Bronte Burleigh-Jones, American University; Luoluo Hong, Georgia Institute of Technology School of Psychology
Aired: 10/23/24

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/QUALITIES

Navigating Campus Mental Health in a Changing America: What Now?
The rapid pace of changes in the United States, including anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation, student visa revocations, political vitriol, reductions in research funding, and limits on free speech, affects the mental and emotional well-being of our students every day. As we wrap up the 2024–2025 academic year and look to the next academic term, mental health and well-being remains top-of-mind for college and university leaders, students, faculty, and staff. This open discussion with expert panelists focused on how this past academic year impacted our students and how we might anticipate and address future mental health concerns on our campuses amid an unpredictable political climate.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Steven Bloom; Hollie Chessman; Sara Abelson, Temple University; David P. Rivera, Queens College of the City University of New York; Eric Wood, Texas Christian University
Aired: 05/28/25
Supporting Neurodiverse Students in Higher Education: Innovations to Improve Access, Support, and Success
The presenters will review recent research related to the needs and experiences of neurodiverse students in higher education. Using their years of experience in psychotherapy, psychiatry, translational science, and program/intervention development for college settings, the presenters will offer practical suggestions for a diverse audience of both clinical and non-clinical student affairs professionals to support neurodiverse students in succeeding in college.
Learning Outcomes
1. Define neurodiversity while providing practical suggestions for a diverse audience of student affairs professionals
2. Identify ways in which campus practices and policies can be modified to better support neurodiverse student success and inclusion
3. Describe qualities of neurodiversity that strengthen and enrich campus communities
Sponsor:National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Carla Chugani; Larry Ozowara
Aired: 04/9/25

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/IDENTITY

Foundations for Creating Queer Inclusive and Affirming Programs and Services
Interested in improving health equity for your Queer and Trans students? In this session, the speakers will share resources for creating Queer and Trans affirming programs and services. The strategies discussed will include self-education, trans-centered frameworks, and tools for evaluating services. Leave this session feeling empowered to better serve your Queer and Trans students!
Learning Outcomes
1. Articulate the importance of Queer inclusive and affirming programs and services
2. Articulate strategies for self-education as it relates to being Queer inclusive
3. Describe at least 3 strategies for developing Queer inclusive and affirming programs and services at their institution
Sponsor: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Marlaina Widmann; Gia Born, South Spencer Residential College
Aired: 04/10/25
Create Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ* Student Success
This session will discuss strategies to engage and support LGBTQ* students on your campus.
Sponsor: SUNY Center for Professional Development
Speakers: Emily Olson; Kyle Ouimet,SUNY Oneonta
Aired: 04/05/2024

AGE

Generation Now: Postsecondary Pathways for Older Learners
As traditional-age enrollment declines and students 35 and up become an increasingly important enrollment pool, hear directly from higher education experts and older learners themselves about how colleges and universities can not just attract but best serve this growing demographic. The discussion will include evidence-based practices and case studies for creating inclusive, flexible programs that reflect older learners’ unique needs, strengths and motivations—from financial barriers and work-life-study balance to the importance of recognizing prior learning and offering career-aligned curricula.
Sponsor: Inside Higher Ed
Speakers: Aaron Guest, Arizona State University; Rachel Hirsch; Aisha Mills; Ben Upton
Aired: 07/16/25
Investment into Impact: Calculating and Communicating
ROI for First-Generation Student Initiatives
This workshop explores the return on investment (ROI) of targeted support strategies for first-generation college students. Attendees will gain insights into how investing in tailored academic, financial, and social support systems can enhance student success and institutional outcomes. Participants will learn practical approaches for implementing effective support programs, measuring their impact, and aligning these initiatives with institutional goals to optimize resources for first-generation students.
Learning Outcomes
1. Express what ROI is and why it matters
2. Recognize and apply relevant metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of their initiatives
3. Practice ROI calculations and analyses for individual programs
Sponsor: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Speakers: Martina A. Martin; Ashlee Kocina Young; Wendy Beesley
Aired: 04/11/2025
Understand and Support the Adult Learner
This session addresses the distinctive challenges faced by adult learners and discuss strategies for engaging and supporting this demographic.
Sponsor: SUNY Center for Professional Development
Speakers: Rochelle Duncan; Dr. Carol Meyer, University at Albany; Susan Warner,Roberts Wesleyan University
Aired: 03/08/2024

ADDITIONAL

Meeting the Needs of Undocumented Students
This session will explore how can we support undocumented students in our colleges. During this webinar, participants will learn what concerns undocumented students may have that other students do not as well as types of supports that are crucial. It will also talk about possible community resources that could be helpful.
Sponsor: SUNY Center for Professional Development
Speakers: Dr. Laura Anker, Stony Brook University
Aired: 12/06/24
Breaking Barriers to Recruit and Retain Diverse Talent in Higher Education
This session will explore innovative strategies for fostering diversity within academic institutions, sharing effective practices to recruit and retain diverse talent, navigating complexities of implementation, and identifying indicators of success.
Sponsor: American Council on Education (ACE)
Speakers: Juanita Banks; Maria Claudia Soler; Valerie Kinloch, Johnson C. Smith University; Carlota Ocampo, Trinity Washington University; Rob Shomaker; Damani White-Lewis, University of Pennsylvania
Aired: 09/11/24

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