2020 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Dr. Cristina Alfaro grew up in Calexico, California on the border where Mexico and California meet. From an early age, she was an insatiable learner and bold risk taker. An unlikely success story, Alfaro refused to take no for an answer and in the process defied even her own expectations. Read her story below as we honor her alongside other luminaries this month for their contributions to Hispanic Heritage. |
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Cristina, you broke your “first rule” in kindergarten by speaking Spanish in an all English speaking school. Tell us about this seminal moment and how it influenced your path and purpose in life?
I was fortunate to grow up in a home that nurtured my Mexican heritage and language. For me, speaking Spanish was not only a source of comfort but also a source of deep pride and inspiration that shape my identity. Not being allowed to speak Spanish at school, in my child’s mind, was like not being allowed to breathe—or to surrender my voice. I often look back at that moment of rebellion with fondness because it reminds me to trust my instincts, especially in the face of injustice.
You are the 12th of 12 children and you grew up translating for your mom. Tell us about the young girl who knew she was “going somewhere” because of the unique things like this that she did to build her skills.
Over the years I have observed that raising the bar for one’s self and others—by using our natural gifts and abilities to serve others— inadvertently brings about personal and ideological clarity. In other words, knowing who you are and the values that make you strong are critical to asserting self confidence in the face of obstacles. If I could translate for my mom—at the bank, at the doctor’s office, at the county’s office—what else could I do? This seemingly innocent question was my ticket to take on one more challenge and another and another. Before long, I was a doctoral student with greater dreams to better serve my community.
You went to San Diego State University as a First Gen freshman and now you are Associate VP of International Affairs. How did your path as an educator lead you to your PhD and the crucial work you do now?
For me, it’s always been about service—serving students, honoring those that came before me and mentoring those who came after me, and creating access and equitable opportunities for the next generation of students. In my experience, when we focus on serving the needs of people, rather than serving our own needs, the work speaks for itself and opportunities to do even greater work follows. Pursuing a Ph.D. was a natural next step for me because I wanted to make a greater impact as a leader and as an educator. I wanted young people who look like me and see what is possible for them and the impact they can have if they are willing to believe in themselves.
What do you most want to say to Latino leaders and others at a time when our nation seems short on remarkable role models such as you in the public eye? How can we do better and what do you suggest we do to have leaders whom young people respect and can be motivated by during these trying times?
Develop your own ideological clarity. In other words, know who you are, what you stand for, and the source of your inner strength. Then run your own race and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. As long as you show up to the table with courage, humility, the willingness to be a team player, and always prepared to do great work with excellence and equity, you will find your unique place as a leader. Lastly, always take the time to remember where you come from and how far you have come because it is easy to get discouraged when the obstacles seem insurmountable—policy, prevalent systemic racism, lack of resources, etc. That’s when inner confidence and mentors matter most. Don’t go on your journey alone. Surround yourself with people you admire and who believe in you—but who are willing to challenge you to be your very best.
Bio:
Cristina Alfaro, Ph.D. is the Interim Associate Vice-President for International Affairs at San Diego State University. She earned an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and is a graduate of the Claremont/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program, where she earned her Ph.D. in International Bilingual Teacher Preparation. Prior to her current role, she served as SDSU’s inaugural Provost Chair for Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and as Chair of the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education, in the College of Education, where she championed and led the model and largest bilingual teacher education program in the state of California.
Dr. Alfaro is the co-founder of the Formadores de Docentes Binacionales, a project that addresses the needs of the Students We Share between the Mexico/U.S. border and builds on their inherent assets. As a teacher-educator and educational leader, Dr. Alfaro led the California State University (CSU) International Teacher Education Program for over a decade. In this program, she collaborated with ten CSU universities with the goal of preparing globally and linguistically conscious bilingual teachers.
She is the recipient of the San Diego County Office of Education Biliteracy Leadership Award, College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award, the National Outstanding Latina in Higher Education Award, and the Gomez-Morin Global Education Award. She has received numerous teaching awards for graduate and undergraduate teaching including the Most Influential Faculty Professor (6 times). Dr. Alfaro has been awarded over 10 million dollars in federal and state professional development grants, most recently a grant to initiate an SDSU Global Biliteracy Seal.
Alfaro is also the executive director for the Center for Biliteracy Education and Research and serves on the board for the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) and the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) where she is also the editor for the NABE Global Perspectives Journal. Additionally, Dr. Alfaro serves as the Chief Specialty Editor in the area of Language, Culture, and Diversity for the Frontiers in Education Journal.
As a researcher she has examined and published extensively on the role of ideological and pedagogical practices that situate diversity, access, and equity at the core of K-20 education. In her current role, Dr. Alfaro leads the effort to create a Diversity, Access, and Equity roadmap for global education and leadership. She is an active member of the American Council on Education Internationalization Lab, The Forum on Education Abroad, Diversity Abroad, and NASFA: Association of International Educators.
A passionate champion of initiatives that bring solutions to address challenges facing the California-Baja California trans-border region, Alfaro serves as chair of SDSU’s annual RE:BORDER Binational Conference, which convenes critical conversations between researchers, educators, policymakers, and leaders in the private and non-profit sector. Under her leadership, SDSU’s International Affairs is reimagining how global education opportunities can become more accessible to our diverse populations of students.
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Click to view the most recent webinars: |
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Courageous Conversations: Catalyzing Change in Health: Dr. Monique Butler; Chief Medical Officer, Swedish Medical Center, Samuel Yamoah, Jr.; Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company, Dr. Georges Benjamin; Executive Director, American Public Health Association, Dr. J. Nadine Gracia; Exec. Vice President & COO, Trust for America’s Health, Dr. Karen McNeil-Miller; CEO, Colorado Health Foundation, Dr. Pierre Theodore; VP Global External Innovation, Johnson & Johnson, and Dr. Elena Rios; President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Diverse College Presidents Talk About First 6 Weeks of School: Dr. Ryan Ross; Assoc. V. Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, & Inclusion, Colorado Community College System moderates. Panelists include Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston President, Norfolk State University, Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite President, Bethune-Cookman University, Dr. Annette Parker President, South Central College, Minnesota State, Dr. Miles Davis President, Linfield University, and Dr. Michael Torrence President, Motlow State College
Hispanic Language Heritage Language Assets for Career Preparedness: Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and GlobalMindED, moderated by Lorena Orozco McElwain; OELA, Panelists include: Carol Carter; GlobalMindED, Felícita Solá-Carter; Excellence in Government Program, Oscar Fraire; University of Colorado Denver student, Patty Lopez; Intel Corporation, and Adrian Rosado; Cultural Clarity Experience.
Hispanic Language Heritage: Retention of Heritage Culture and Language(s) US Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) and GlobalMindED, and panelists celegrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Lorena Orozco and Supreet Anand of OELA, Cristina Alfaro; San Diego State University, Luis Benitez; VF Corporation, Clotilde Dedecker; Circle of Women, Joe Garcia; Ohkay OwinghTribe, and Dr.Joel Comez; Center for Applied Logistics
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: A Conversation on Race, Isms, Justice, Moving Forward and the Role White People Need to Play: Ryan Ross; Associate Vice Chancellor: Student Affairs, Equity, and Inclusion, Colorado Community College System leads the conversation with Clifton Taulbert; President and CEO, Freemount Corporation and Roots Java Coffee, Javon Brame; Dean of Students, Arapahoe Community College, Chelsea Williams; Founder & CEO, College Code LLC, and Representative Leslie Herod; Legislator, Colorado General Assembly
Equity in Engineering Programs: Priming the STEM Pipeline During and After COVID-19: Dr. Dora Renaud, Sr. Director of Academic Programs & Professional Development, SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM, Melanie Suarez, Student, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Mechanical Engineering, Nicolas Valencia Diaz, Student, Florida International University, Biomedical Engineering, Sophia Plata, PhD Student, University of Southern California, Environmental Engineering
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To view the recent Rural sessions, please see our YouTube channel:
Native American Business Opportunities, Tribal Economic Development and Post-secondary Education/Workforce Participation: J.C. Whorton, Jr.; Consultant, Lecturer, Author and Adjunct Faculty, University of Colorado Boulder, Don Kelin; President, Fox Professional Services, Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce, Matt Rantanen; Director of Technology, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Tribal Digital Village Network Initiative, and Melvin Monette; CEO, Indigenous Education, Inc.
Fortifying Native Students, Faculty and Communities During and After COVID-19: Ron Lessard (Mohawk); Acting Exec. Director, White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education leads panel including Diana Cournoyer; Oglala Sioux Tribe, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association, Michael Chamberlain; Special Assistant for Rural Outreach, US Department of Education, Carrie L. Billy; President & CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and features a performance by Ava Rose Johnson; Student and Musician, Native American Music Awards Winner
Rural Innovations in Education During COVID-19: Anne Trujillo; Anchor 7News, Denver moderates the panel which includes Tina Goar; Executive Director, San Luis Valley BOCES, Dr. Robert Mitchell; Asst. Professor of Leadership, Research, and Foundations, UCCS, Luis Murillo; Principal, Skoglund Middle School, and Samantha Yocam; Superintendent and Principal, Kim School District
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Responding to Crisis
The 30-Day Justice Plan
As the reset of America is underway, understanding the role you can play in a system of change can be difficult, but we encourage you to listen, learn and be active. To start, instead of, say, a juice cleanse, feed your brain and move yourself with this practical plan over the next month. Here's our guide of what to read, watch, listen to and do in order to be part of the solution.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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