Category: Research

Don’t forget to register for the upcoming NSU 2023 Diversity Summit “The Power to Connect, Collaborate, & Thrive.” This event is free and open to all NSU community members. Find out more about the Diversity Summit here. Recordings will be made available in NSUWorks for those unable to attend. There will be more than 50 speakers including these prominent two keynote address not to miss.

Presentation: “Are These the Interesting Times of Chinese Proverbs?” with Robert Kesten, Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library

Robert Kesten is the Stonewall National Museum Archives (SNMA) executive director in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The SNMA houses one of the most extensive gay archives and libraries in the United States, with a rich history of more than years. Through his position at SNMA, he brings full circle his active engagement in the LGBTQ+ community and his commitment to using history as a tool to make sense of and fashion a response to today and tomorrow.

Presentation: “Committing to DE&I: Moving from Pledges to Outcomes”, with Jason Thompson, Vice President for DEI at Western Governors University

Jason Thompson is a thought leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), having spent the past 25 years building DEI programs in sports, health care, technology, and education. Jason is Vice President for DEI at Western Governors University. Jason is also the co-founder and senior adviser to CAPE Inclusion, an innovative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion platform. Thompson developed the initial diversity and inclusion program for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and created the DEI scorecards to measure diversity within the US Olympic movement. The DE&I Scorecard developed by Thompson received the top honor in the 2016 International Innovations in Diversity Awards program from the Profiles in Diversity Journal. Jason was also recognized as a 2017 and 2018 Diversity Leader by the Profiles in Diversity Journal. His book, “Diversity and Inclusion Matters,” is a handbook for DE&I professionals, CEOs, and HR executives that provides a clear blueprint and tools for a successful DEI program.

Posted March 2, 2023

NSU’s Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Council is hosting its inaugural diversity summit at all NSU locations from March 15-16. The summit’s theme is “The Power Of Belonging: Connect, Collaborate, and Thrive.” Here’s a sneak peek at some of the featured speakers and topics.

“The Science to Supporting Underrepresented Minority (URM) and English Language Learners, ELL, students in STEM Courses” with Melinda Contreras, Ph.D.

Melinda L. Contreras, Ph.D., has 20 years of experience in education and has managed hundreds of educational programs within medical education. She is an assistant professor in the NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Contreras also serves as a sensitivity and bias evaluator for COGNIA, where she has reviewed and revised assessments for the Common Core Standards for 39 U.S. states, and is currently assisting in the revamping of Boston Public Schools assessments to make them more racially and culturally sensitive.

“I Bet You Didn’t Know” with Elaine Lenon, M.A., NAD, NIC

Elaine Lenon, M.A., NAD, NIC, is a leading advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and has dedicated over 20 years of service to the South Florida community.

A public servant by nature, her passion for the Deaf community was cultivated during her time as a Denver resident. Diving into the fabric of the Deaf community, she witnessed the acts of discrimination and maltreatment imposed upon the Deaf. Lenon is dedicated to decreasing the multiple barriers and lack of resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. She also founded Community Outreach for the Deaf, Inc., a nonprofit organization.

For more information on the BEDI Advisory Council and the summit, visit www.nova.edu/bedi.

Posted 02/14/23