to the GMercyU Chapter of American Association of University Women ( AAUW ), an identity-based club focused on gender equity and empowerment on campus and in our community . She was a founding member of her undergraduate AAUW chapter , and again was a founding member of the GMercyU chapter . Casey also serves the University as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator . Each of these different campus roles have helped her become a more holistic and student-focused counselor . Casey is currently at doctoral student in Higher Education Administration at St . Cloud State University and is interested in further researching the connections between identity-based club involvement and a student ’ s professional development . She earned her M . Ed . in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and B . A . in History from Moravian College .
Alexandra ( Ali ) Jabara Johnston has been at Gwynedd Mercy University since 2013 — first as a graduate student , then as an employee in the Office for Student Engagement . In her role as Associate Director for Leadership Programs , Ali oversees CORE Programs ( educational programming surrounding our core values as an institution and inclusive excellence ), all formal and informal leadership programs including the Griffin Student Leadership Institute ( GSLI ) and Weaving Equity into Leadership , and provides support and training for all of the clubs and organizations on campus . For the past two years , Ali has been extensively involved with the Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion Work Group and in the creation and execution of the University DEI Master Plan . She also is a member of the Anti-Racism Work Group , part of the Indigenous Awareness at GMercyU team , and has been a DEI Trainer on campus . Ali earned her Masters of Science in School Counseling degree from Gwynedd Mercy University with focused research on the benefits of community partnerships in schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families . Ali also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from Temple University and a certification in Social Role Valorization from the Keystone Institute . Prior to her time at GMercyU , Ali worked in youth development and has created leadership programs in conjunction with PA CareerLink for K-12 students who have some sort of barrier to graduation or employment .
Intended Audience
PK12 teachers PK12 administrators PK12 staff Higher ed faculty Higher ed administrators Higher ed staff HE staff
Breakout Session 2 : 8:00 - 8:50 p . m . ET Track A : Preparing to Engage Diverse Voices Session 2A : Creating a Space for Diversity , Equity , Inclusion and Belonging ( DEIB ) Learning Exchanges between Faculty and Students
As higher education environments look to be more inclusive of students from diverse backgrounds , and intentionally include their narrative in instruction , it is paramount to evaluate what techniques and practices may need to be modified . As COVID changed the landscape of general instruction , it also brought about a wealth of new techniques and student-centered experiences that became catalyst for brave and engaging conversations surrounding what it means to “ belong ” in a space . Presenters will provide narrative experiences , new techniques that have created outcomes , and provide resources / connections to local / national agencies who invest in establishing learning circles and continuous professional development to educators .