Biographies : Miguel Maria EdD , serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Initiatives at Springfield Technical Community College , overseeing SUCCESS-funded initiatives and student support services . Previously , he was the inaugural Director of the Male Initiative for Leadership and Education ( MILE ). As a firstgeneration college graduate , Miguel ’ s passion for student success is deeply personal , having benefited from student support programs himself . His work is dedicated to advancing student achievement , ensuring that all students have access to the resources , guidance , and support needed to reach their academic , personal , and professional goals . He is committed to fostering equity , engagement , and student empowerment at STCC .
Dr . Kimberly Reese ( she / her / hers ) is a service-connected veteran and the Veterans Academic Counselor at Springfield Technical Community College , a Hispanic Serving Institution , in Massachusetts . She served in the Air Force and understands the multi-faceted complexities student veterans face . Additionally , she worked as an adjunct to a full science Professorship , becoming a Teaching Fellow in Universal Design for Learning . She pivoted into Veteran and Military Services after years of watching students struggle . Her dissertation focused on creating veteran-inclusive campuses and in her current role , she advocates for military-affiliated students , promotes veteran-inclusivity , and helps students navigate the various DOD and VA hurdles .
Monday , April 7 , 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern Walking the Walk : Sharing Power with Your Students
Session Description : DEI efforts can be transformative , but only when co-created by students . DEI initiatives must disrupt dominant power within us , our work process systems , and our campus cultures . In this session , we will explore strategies for disruption through co-creation and investigate discomfort in sharing power . When DEI is rooted in co-creation and a commitment to engage our discomfort , we can foster growth and address systemic gaps that perpetuate harm to students . Co-creation challenges us to nurture a culture of belonging and accountability while inspiring leadership within us , and our students , that embodies equity both within and beyond an academic space .
Session Objectives : 1 . Identify strategies for sharing power with students and co-creating the student experience at your institution . 2 . Demonstrate how to intentionally and continuously reflect and engage our discomfort regarding sharing power . 3 . Establish the effectiveness of co-creation and reflection regarding discomfort .
Themes : Institutional , instructional , and co-curricular strategies for advancing DEI and strategies for addressing challenges to advance DEI
Audience : Higher Education faculty , staff and administrators ; those supporting secondary students may benefit as well
Presenters : Meaghan Davis , EdD ( she / they ), Farmingdale State College Kiara Moran ( she / her ), Pace University