On Wednesday, May 8 2024, the WWU Office of Equity presented the first-ever mini-conference. The Day of Learning and Community Building offered WWU students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to discuss the meaning and value of community building as a path to enhanced ADEI and social justice efforts.
Throughout the day, participants heard about Western’s dynamic ADEI plan, learned about building community, engaged in dialogue on current topics, and practiced community-building skills. Over 300 people attended, and 10 workshop sessions were offered on community-building topics, including skill-building for difficult conversations, discussions on race, power, and privilege, and a deeper dive into trauma-informed principles of teaching.
Watch & Listen
Community as Verb: Lessons from Grassroots Movements about Building Community in Challenging Times
Dr. Veronica Velez, John Korsmo, Longoria, Daisy Padilla
Attendees considered what it means to build community as a process to create dignity affirming spaces in higher education.
Race, Power, and Privilege
Jevon Moore, LMSW (Moderator/Facilitator)
Daniel Records-Galbraith, J.D.
Spencer Anthony-Cahill, Ph.D.
Ed Love, Ph.D.
Participants engaged in ADEI work as a person in a position of power and privilege.
Let’s Talk; A Panel Discussion with Western Students
Ermias Hagos, Jack Hueso
An honest conversation with students about identity, life at Western, and finding community.