Featured Speakers at Upcoming Diversity Summit, March 15-16

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