The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Summit provides a space for staff, faculty and student leaders to be in community and conversation on key DEI topics, institutional priorities, and concrete strategies, tools and resources for everyone to play a part in maintaining progress toward our shared goals.
This year’s summit will offer an opportunity to reflect on inclusivity at TU and build skills needed to advance a community of belonging. Vice President Patricia Bradley will open the summit with updates on the university's progress toward creating a more diverse and inclusive campus.
Vera Jones was best known as a women’s basketball commentator for ESPN and the Big
Ten Network until October 27, 2017, when a Goalcast video (YouTube) instantly went viral. She has gained global recognition and demand by sharing her
inspirational mission to uplift the world with the principles and lessons of faith,
vision, unity, perseverance and purpose.
Participants in this workshop will develop an understanding of civic discourse as a tool to foster constructive conversations among people with different perspectives. Participants will engage in interactive activities that enhance their civic discourse skills. The workshop will particularly prepare participants for conversations connected to political and election-related discourse.
In this interfaith dialogue session, attendees will participate in and normalize difficult conversations in relation to faith, culture, and spiritual practices, and become more informed about future skill-building opportunities across campus.
Speakers:Accessibility is a broad term often used to promote inclusion; however, do you know what it means? Join this breakout session to gain a better understanding of accessibility and how, when done right, it creates a sense of belonging.
Speaker:Having a sense of belonging in higher education spaces can lead to more positive outcomes for students as well as faculty and staff. In this session we will discuss strategies and practices in creating "space" to foster a sense of belonging in the classroom and beyond.
Speakers:This session will review current snapshots of, and trends in, TU student and employee demographics and diversity.
Speakers:Ryan Permison graduated from TU in 2021 with a B.S. in Electronic Media and Film with a minor in Applied Adult Disability Studies. He is now a facilitator for a film analysis program at the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys hosting and producing his live weekly shows on his YouTube Channel And I Quote where he interviews creators from all over the world and shares his passion for Pop Culture with others.
Samuel Smith '24 is a Towson alumnus (Psychology; Women & Gender Studies). He is now a Maryland-based consultant, where he can leverage his research experience at TU and his interest in the intersection of identity, marginalization, and decision-making in business. Smith is also the co-chair & social media manager of LEAD, Baltimore's largest & oldest LGBT Catholic ministry.
Raft Woodus, native Baltimorean and TU graduate (1977) served TU as director of Tutoring Services, Commuter Affairs, the Community Enrichment and Enhancement Partnership (KEEP) Award, Disability Support, Testing Services Center, SAGE Program, College Readiness Outreach Program (CROP), Student Success Program, and in advisory roles with The Black Student Union, The Brotherhood, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.