UW–Madison Diversity Forum 2019

Join us on Nov. 5 & 6 for the 2019 UW–Madison Diversity Forum, the university’s annual two-day conference-style event. This year’s Diversity Forum, “Building Bridges to a Better Future: Opportunities Through Access and Exposure,” will feature a keynote address by John Quiñones, longtime ABC News correspondent and creator and host of the “What Would You Do?” hidden camera television series.

• Dates: Tuesday, Nov. 5, and Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019
• Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Union South’s Varsity Hall and conference rooms (map)
• Program: Read the full program with topic descriptions and speaker bios (accessible PDF)
• Video: Programming from day one of the Diversity Forum will be streamed with live captioning at go.wisc.edu/diversityforumlive
• Join the conversation: Use the hashtag #UWDiversityForum to share what you learn at the Diversity Forum

 

Agenda

Day One, Tue. Nov. 5

All events are in Varsity Hall unless otherwise noted.

8:00 a.m.
Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
Welcome Message

• Becky Blank, Chancellor
• Patrick J. Sims, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion

8:50 a.m.
Native Nations Tribute

9:00 a.m.
Keynote Address
A 20/20 Vision for America: Building Bridges, Not Walls

• John Quiñones, ABC News Correspondent, bestselling book author, host of “What Would You Do?”
  Combining a moving life story, an exceptional career, incomparable insights and a powerful presence, Quiñones has emerged as one of the most inspiring keynotes in the speaking world today. His moving presentations focus on his odds-defying journey, celebrate the life-changing power of education, champion the Latino American Dream and provide thought-provoking insights into human nature and ethical behavior. 

Followed by a Q&A and book signing of his bestselling book, “What Would You Do?: Words of Wisdom About Doing the Right Thing”

10:45 a.m.
Panel Discussion
Should I Say Something? Exploring the Barriers Around Responding to Incidents and Bias

• Pia Kinney James, Retired Police Officer, Madison Police Department
• Gabe Javier, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Identity and Inclusion, Student Affairs
• Cleda Wang, Assistant Director of Residence Life for Inclusion, University Housing

12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Announcement of the 2019-20 honorees of the UW–Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards and UW System P.B. Poorman Award

1:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Option A, Varsity Hall
Building Equity and Inclusion in Public Schools

• • John B. Diamond, Kellner Family Distinguished Chair in Urban Education, School of Education
  • Nichelle Nichols, Executive Director, Office of Equity, Partnerships and Engagement, Madison Metropolitan School District
  • David O’Connor, American Indian Studies Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
  • Dom Ricks, Principal of Kromrey Middle School, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District

Option B, Marquee Theater
Navigating Difficult Discussions: An Interactive Session on Ethical Conversations

• • Aaminah Long, Coordinator of Inclusion Education, Center for the First Year Experience

2:15 p.m.
Break with Refreshments

2:30 p.m.
Town Hall Discussion
The Discomfort of Public Discourse: Confronting the Legacies of White Supremacy

• Kathy Cramer, Professor of Political Science and the Natalie C. Holton Chair of Letters & Science
• Kacie Lucchini Butcher, Director of the UW–Madison Public History Project
• David Mahoney, Dane County Sheriff
• Annette Miller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EQT By Design
• Patrick J. Sims, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion

3:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks

 

Day Two, Wed. Nov. 6

8:00 a.m.
Breakfast

9:00 a.m.
Breakout Session 1

Option A, Varsity Hall 3
Reclaiming First Nations’ Truth

• • Jessie Conaway, Faculty Associate for Native Nations Partnerships at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Co-Chair of the Native Nations_UW Working Group
  • Brian D. McInnes, Associate Professor of Civil Society and Community Studies, School of Human Ecology
  • Omar Poler, Coordinator, American Indian Curriculum Services, School of Education
  • Michael Williams, Co-President of Fiscal Relations, Wunk Sheek
  • Danielle Yancey, Director, Native American Center for Health Professions, School of Medicine and Public Health

Option B, Northwoods Room
Intro to LGBTQ+ Identities & Inclusive Practices

• • Tiffany Lee, Crossroads Coordinator, Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
  • Jelani Riveria, Program Coordinator, Gender and Sexuality Campus Center

Option C, Industry Room
Supporting the Wellness and Mental Health of Graduate Students

• • James L. Keck, Professor, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Associate Dean for Basic Research Training
  • Ellen Marks, Associate Psychologist, University Health Services
  • Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
  • Britney N. Washington, Graduate Research Associate in Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Timothy Yip, Doctoral Student, Mead Witter School of Music
  • Britt Marie Zeidler, Founder and Co-Director, Graduate and Professional Students with Disabilities Initiative

10:30 a.m.
Breakout Session 2

Option A, Marquee Theater
A Stronger Madison for All: Racial disparities in Madison and Wisconsin and the divergent realities they’ve created

• • Alex Gee Jr., President and Founder, Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development

Option B, Industry Room
Is Age Just a Number? Combatting Generational Stereotypes

• • Sherry Boeger, Director and Consultant, UW–Madison Employee Assistance Office
  • Luis Piñero, Senior Special Assistant for Workforce Equity, Diversity Education and Outreach, Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement
  • Letissa Reid, Equal Opportunity Investigation Program Coordinator, Office of Compliance
  • Kristen M. Seguin, Assistant Director of Human Resources, School of Medicine and Public Health

Option C, Varsity Hall 3
Mass Shootings and Social Media Discourses

• • Dhavan Shah, Maier-Bascom Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

11:45 a.m.
Lunch & Update

1:00 p.m.
Breakout Session 3

Option A, Industry Room
Creating an Inclusive Environment for Non-Apparent Disabilities

• • Gwynette Hall, Accessible Learning Technology Manager, McBurney Disability Resource Center
  • Heather Stelljes, Access Consultant, McBurney Disability Resource Center

Option B, Fifth Quarter Room
Yo Soy Un Pueblo Unido: Investing in Latinx Talent

• • Tania Ibarra, Finance Chair, Latino Professional Association of Greater Madison
  • Nicole Sandoval, President, Latino Professional Association of Greater Madison

Option C, Northwoods Room
Deconstructing Social Justice Myths

• • Caitlyn LoMonte, Assistant Director for Social Justice Programs, Multicultural Student Center

2:15 p.m.
Break with Refreshments

2:30 p.m.
What Will You Do? Equity in Action Workshop

• Annette Miller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EQT By Design

3:30 p.m.
Conclusion

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Hearing assistance devices will be available in Varsity Hall for participants attending the Diversity Forum. If you need an accommodation to attend this event, please email events@cdo.wisc.edu. All accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event. We will attempt to fulfill requests made after this date, but cannot guarantee they will be met.

Video of programming from day one of the Diversity Forum will be streamed with live captioning at go.wisc.edu/diversityforumlive.

Digital copies of handouts, presentations and other materials used in the Diversity Forum will be made available after the Forum concludes at go.wisc.edu/diversityforum.