and supportive co-curricular programs for both undergraduate and graduate students . 3 . Implement actionable measures that promote belonging and success for underrepresented groups in higher education . 4 . Explore findings from three dissertations to inform DEI practices that support student success across undergraduate and graduate programs .
Themes : Institutional , instructional , and co-curricular strategies for advancing DEI
Audience : Higher Education faculty , staff and administrators
Panelists : Dr . Brittany Bronson ( she / her / hers ), Saint Joseph ’ s University Dr . Dariell Dinkins ( she / her / hers ), Saint Joseph ’ s University Dr . Shalyssa Smith ( she / her / hers ), Saint Joseph ’ s University
Biographies : Dr . Brittany Bronson ( she / her ) is an award-winning DEIB strategist , educator , and researcher with over a decade of experience advocating for equity across sectors . She has taught research and inclusion-focused courses at Rowan and Saint Joseph ’ s University . Her collaborative work on experiential learning earned the 2024 Patricia Leahy Award and was presented at AERA . Dr . Bronson holds degrees from Temple and Saint Joseph ’ s University . She serves in leadership roles supporting education and community advocacy . Outside of work , she enjoys cheering on her kids , exploring new restaurants with her husband , and staying active through virtual workouts with her mom .
Dr . Dariell Dinkins ( she / her ) is a proud Philadelphia native and a committed scholar-practitioner with over a decade of experience in urban education . With a deep-rooted mission to foster inclusive environments and cultivate high-performance cultures , Dr . Dinkins works to promote organizational growth and development through a lens of anti-racism , equity , and inclusion , both in educational settings and beyond . Dr . Dinkins holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph ’ s University . She has held key leadership roles across the nonprofit sector , and currently serves as the Director of Continuous Quality Improvement and Learning at the Philadelphia Youth Network and member of Drexel University ’ s McNichol Early Childhood Education Lab .
Dr . Shalyssa Smith ( she / her ) is an assistant professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program at Saint Joseph ’ s University . A two-time Villanova alumna , she holds degrees in psychology , communication , and educational leadership . Committed to social transformation in higher education , she deconstructs systems of oppression while uplifting student agency . She embraces cura personalis , tailoring support to each student ’ s unique needs . Her research explores the intersection of race and academia , focusing on Black students at PWI Catholic institutions . Dr . Smith is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students to succeed .