Diversity Speaker Series returns to TU

By Sedonia Martin on March 9, 2017

The Office of Student Affairs, partnering with the College of Education (COE), presents writer, educator and activist Jonathan Kozol, Ph.D, as part of annual Diversity Speaker Series on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in SECU Arena.

UPDATE: Because of inclement weather warnings, the Diversity Speaker Series featuring Jonathan Kozol has been cancelled. 

Kozol, a highly honored education writer and one of the most eloquent advocates for children of low income and for racial diversity in our schools and universities, joins Laurie Mullen, Ph.D., dean of COE, for a conversation on “Diversity and Equity in Public Education.”

The Diversity Speaker Series is one of Towson University's signature events each semester. Working with other departments on campus, the organization brings culturally relevant speakers, educators, activists and entertainers to campus, giving the community access to some of the world's most influential minds.

Kozol received the National Book Award for Death at an Early Age, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for Rachel and Her Children, and many other honors for his books Savage Inequalities, Amazing Grace, The Shame of the Nation and Fire in the Ashes. He has been working with children in inner-city schools for nearly 50 years.

He is the founder of the non-profits Cambridge Institute for Public Education and Education Action!.

This event will be followed by the College of Education's “Race, Poverty, and Education: A Poverty Simulation Event,” on Thursday, March 16 from 5 - 7 p.m. in West Village Ballrooms A and B in West Village Commons.  

This event provides participants the opportunity to experience living with limited resources for a simulated month. This two-hour event includes a one-hour simulation followed by a one-hour in-depth discussion.

This year's program will focus on education and urban schools. The simulation will address other variables like government/social services, housing, gender, race, immigration, healthcare, workforce development and criminal justice.

The events are free and open to the public.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: Creating a More Diverse and Inclusive Campus