MULTICULTURAL CONFERENCE

"Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders: The Role of Diversity in Educational Excellence"

The Division of Academic Affairs will host the 19th annual Multicultural Conference for faculty and staff on Friday, March 8, 2013 in the University Union Chesapeake Rooms.

The theme of this year's conference “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Role of Diversity in Educational Excellence,” will provide a platform for faculty and staff to discuss their research, practices and applications to promote diversity.

The conference will feature a general session with keynote speaker Estela Mara Bensimon, Ed.D., professor of higher education and co-director of the Center for Urban Education at the University of Southern California. It will also include track sessions of individual/group presentations, panel discussions, and poster sessions.

Registration is now closed.

The Multicultural Conference registration is now closed.

Call for Proposals is now over.

All faculty and staff are invited to submit a proposal for the Multicultural Conference no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2013.

• The proposal deadline has passed. Thanks to all who submitted!

The Multicultural Conference Committee seeks proposals that speak to the varied skills of our faculty and staff at different stages of their professions and careers. Proposals will be selected based on their appropriateness to the overall conference theme, specified session tracks listed below, and/or practical integration of diversity on campus.

Proposals should address any of the following conference tracks:

Track 1: Strategies & Best Practices in Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Diverse Society

Track 2: Beyond the Classroom: Developing Partnerships & Practices to Support Diversity

Track 3: Free Speech & Expression in Local & Global Diverse Societies

Track Descriptions

Track 1: Strategies & Best Practices in Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Diverse Society

How can we address the needs of all learners, cultivate cultural competency, and prepare our students for success in an increasingly diverse society and workplace?

For this track, we invite proposals from all academic disciplines that explore diverse pedagogical perspectives and best practices in curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of all learners in the 21st century multicultural classrooms. It will explore ways of helping students from a wide variety of economic statuses, genders, races, cultures, ethnicities, social classes, family structures, ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, and national origins to gain cultural competency for success in an increasingly diverse society and workplace.

Potential Topics:
• Creating learning environments to address different learning styles and perspectives
• Promoting culturally and linguistically responsive curriculum and teaching
• Developing and applying instructional materials to include cross-cultural viewpoints
• Examining the role of the DREAM Act in access to higher education
• Diversifying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education
• Exploring UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and its implications in teaching

Track 2: Beyond the Classroom: Developing Partnerships & Practices to Support Diversity

How can we best use resources across campus to promote an inclusive climate?

For this track, we invite proposals from academic and non-academic departments about programs, initiatives, practices, and partnerships that address socio-emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and professional needs of all learners while creating a respectful and healthy educational and work environment.

Potential Topics:
• Creating opportunities and events that are accessible to a diverse campus community
• Making resources available that make learning and living meaningful for all learners
• Providing services aimed at the well-being and development of the whole student

Track 3: Free Speech & Expression in Local & Global Diverse Societies

How can we, as a university and society, balance valuing expressions of free speech and valuing sensitivities to multiculturalism?

For this track, we invite proposals that engage in discussions of free speech and expression and its implications in diverse settings.

Potential Topics:
• Resolving conflicts between free speech and university’s goals related to multiculturalism
• Examining the role of free speech and media in historical and current context
• Evaluating the implications of free expression and its national and global implications
• Educating students on both the rights and responsibilities of free speech

Conference Format

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals must include the following:

• Presenter(s) Name, Department and brief Bio
• Type of Presentation (Presentation, Panel, or Poster)
• Conference Track (1, 2, or 3)
• Session Title (10 word limit)
• Presentation Abstract (75-100 word limit)

More than one proposal may be submitted, but only one will be accepted per presenter.

The first presenter listed on the submission form is the lead contact and should provide all contact information for co-presenters. The first presenter is responsible for disseminating all correspondence to co-presenters as well as for organizing and facilitating the presentation.

All presenters are required to register for the conference.

Proposals will be reviewed for:

• Appropriateness to the theme and needs of the diverse teaching and learning community
• Content including innovation, uniqueness, or thought-provoking ideas, and/or strategies
• Theoretical and/or practical approach to integrating diversity on campus
  
  

* NOTE: if your proposal is selected, the Multicultural Conference Committee may suggest modifications to your description, conference track, and format. These suggestions are to ensure that all presentations align with the overall conference theme.

Questions

If you have any questions about the proposal submission process, please contact Dr. Mubina Kirmani at mkirmani@towson.edu or Dr. Alex Vigo at avigo@towson.edu.

Conference Schedule

Provost's Office
Administration Building, Room 311

Phone: 410-704-2125
Fax: 410-704-3129
E-mail: provost@towson.edu .