ACUI: Table Talks

This month we welcome Dyanis Conrad, Professor of Equity & Diversity in Education at Randolph-Macon College to the ACUI Table Talks podcast. Listen in as we explore social justice, self-care, and what led Dr. Conrad to move from the Mount Rushmore State to the Peach State.

June is Pride month! The panelists on this podcast discuss what Pride means to them, the relevance of Pride in 2022, and what they feel the role of ACUI and other higher education associations play in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

A day after the 2020 U.S. election, ACUI leaders discuss the climate on their campuses, what current and future activism looks like, and more inclusive and equitable practices to intentional and supportive environments for all students.

As the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, we offer this conversation on the unique challenges that Latinx college students face and how college union and student affairs professionals can support them in their efforts to complete their college degrees.

Join disability advocate and member of ACUI's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Team Zac Lomas and his colleague Taryn Cooper discuss the challenges and opportunities COVID-19 presents for those with disabilities in the world of higher education. The discussion will touch on how to support students with disabilities in a virtual world, how to ask for accommodations as a professional with a disability, and how the pandemic may permanently change the way the world of higher education sees and supports those with disabilities.

In this podcast we’re exploring the critical topic of supporting LGBTQ+ students on campus, chatting with experts around the specific areas of trauma and violence, community outreach and resources, and customizing support for our queer and trans students of color.

Stories of success in higher education are too often oversaturated by dominant narratives. This episode features a panel of experienced professionals who share their stories, their counternarratives, of success and hardships. Personal stories connect us to one another, sharing and honoring lived experiences brings representation, validation, and belonging. It is essential to put counter narratives at the forefront of efforts toward social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Michelle Streeter, assistant director for student engagement at the University of Virginia, interviews Hayden Greene, director of multicultural affairs at Manhattan College on the intersection of diversity, equity and inclusion work between student activities and multicultural student services offices. They talk about the role of programming in DEI work, the challenges involved, what an ideal relationship between these two offices would look like, and the important work that we as professionals need to be doing in order to further and support this work. As part of the conversation they also share some action steps that colleagues working in these offices can start taking today to improve diversity, equity and inclusion work across their campuses. Tune in to learn more!

This is recording from a recent webinar in which ACUI’s presidents discussed what racism looks like in student unions, steps to self-identify white privilege, and ways to act toward justice. Personal examples and growth opportunities were shared. Moderated by Amy Liss, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, panelists were:

• ACUI Past President Mike Coleman, Wake Technical Community College
• ACUI President-Elect Jeremy Schenk, Ed.D., Northwestern University
• ACUI Immediate Past President Jennifer Zamora, Ph.D., University of Texas–Austin

Happy Pride Month! In this episode, we talk with ACUI leaders from the LGBTQ+ Community about their experiences and supporting students through the current crises.

Coretta L. King, Co-Lead for the DEI Program Team, navigates this topic with former ACUI Comp-Co-Lead/INdy 2019 CPT member, Brittany Williams. The discussion distinguishes the difference between mentoring and sponsoring. It also targets the importance of these relationships with regard to advancement of the targeted identities discussed.

The members of the DEI Program Team (Amy Liss, Keith Kowalka, and Coretta King) partnered with higher ed colleagues who support first generation populations in their work to discuss the impact covid-19 has played on this demographic. The conversation ranges from access of resources, transitions, support and graduation celebratories. Guest panelists include: Debra Hammond of Cal State Northridge and Kourtney Cockrell & Robert Brown of Northwestern University. 

*Note, a repeated technical issue transpired for one of the members during this recording. Portions have been edited for audio clarity.*