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. Jaime Lopez is a generous, inclusive GlobalMindED leader who himself has overcome many personal challenges. We are honored to have Dr. Lopez as a key member of the GlobalMindED Latino Equity team, led by Adrian Rosado and Jeffrey Vargas. Please share his story with all students who, at this challenging time, are seeking their own example of inspiration and motivation for their brave way forward.
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What is your personal story and how did you end up in your field?
Several years ago, I did not believe I would have come as far as I have. I am an only child and a product of a household of divorced parents. My mother worked every day so that I could achieve everything that she could not. I studied in public schools. The idea of being admitted to college was not a family tradition.
By peer pressure, and by the advice of several teachers, I began my undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Puerto Rico. It was because of destiny, I ended up studying theology. However, I was always passionate about education, I dreamed of being a professor. Being the first in my family to have a college degree, I decided that I should do something for the educational access of others. I moved to study in the United States, without knowing English and alone. It was strong to experience a new country, a new language and a new life. However, my goal was to make my mother proud. In Texas, I prepared myself to be a college administrator. I dreamed of having my first job. I was fired on
the sixth day. It was frustrating. They were intense weeks, without a job and without purpose. The world seemed to fall on top of me.
Without planning, I was offered a part-time job as a Tutoring Coordinator in the same university I received my Bachelors degree. Later, I worked in the Office of Student Affairs. Soon after, I was appointed director of the TRIO SSS project - a program to help first generation students achieve their academic goals. Today, thanks to the example of those whom I saw working hard, and with the desire that others have the same educational access that I had, I proudly say that I am Vice President for Student Affairs. Now I help others to fulfill their dreams; I help others to believe that they can achieve it.
How have you been able to make sure that students in the Caribbean receive equitable resources and access to education, especially during the time of COVID?
I work at a small university that I might call traditional. Our services and our classes require the presence of students. The pandemic showed several interesting aspects. The first, that we are vulnerable and that there will be times when we do not have answers. Second, that the needs of the students were being ignored by the educational institutions. Third, I learned that you must reinvent yourself to survive.
The first thing I have done is to be able to listen my students. The uncertainty of being away from their homes, their countries and safety of their families were more important than the academic degree. Our institution helped them to return to their homes and countries. Those who could not travel, we were able to offer them lodging and food at the campus. For those who went home, we made class options more flexible, they could even complete the requirements later.
For the fall semester, we advocated that students have their materials for classes and, in addition to the CARES ACT funds, the institution provided grants to those who did not qualify. Also, my institution provided a computer loan program, access to the campus to use the internet, access to recreational facilities and other resources.
It has been challenging times, however, necessary for the improvement of the educational institutions. Today, we have learned that our students have limited resources, but it is our responsibility to make education accessible. Only education will be able to create a more just, accessible and equal world.
Since Hurricane Maria, how has the island of Puerto Rico evolved and come together as a community, considering it took a very long time for support from the current administration?
Puerto Rico would not have improved if it had not been for its people. It was nice to see that even though we were affected, we decided to help others. Food was shared, we met our neighbors, we became a family again. It was the resurgence of the Puerto Rican people. Although it was difficult events that placed us in the media spotlight, it was the opportunity for the world to know the resilience of the Puerto Ricans. A small island in the middle of the Caribbean has contributed in the past, but it has great potential for development: its people.
Hurricane Maria started a sequence of unexpected events in Puerto Rico. First, the hurricane demonstrated the inability of the government to deal with an emergency in the country where many lost all their belongings. This led the people to rise-up and take to the streets demanding a new government. In July 2019, the governor resigned. What appeared to be a new beginning was hit with an earthquake in January and then the pandemic.
Maybe we have a lot to fix. If we use the past experiences as a reference, we can achieve a better future. I believe that future generations will receive a better country, a place where their rights are respected and where we can live in harmony.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month Mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a fiesta for me. First, I recognize that I am part of a group of people who, despite being born in different countries, we are strong and want a better world. Second, it is a time to share our food, our music, our traditions, and the successes of our people. Personally, I look back and see the legacy that others have left me and recognize that it is my time to contribute creating a path for others who come after me. It is listening to my mother saying, “Mi’jo sigue hacia adelante, pero ayuda a los que encuentres en el camino” (Son, keep moving forward, but help those you meet along the way).
Bio:
Jaime Iván López Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Because he had no siblings, he always took refuge in reading and writing. In 2005 he started at the Antillean Adventist University (UAA) where he finished his bachelor's degree in 2008 with a few credits in education. Upon graduation, he went to Dallas, Texas, where he completed his Master's in
Higher Education with a specialty in University Administration in the area of Student Affairs and International Affairs at Dallas Baptist University. There he worked as Coordinator of International Students.
In 2009, he returned to Puerto Rico and began to work at the UAA as a Tutoring Coordinator. Over time, he becomes Administrative Coordinator, Coordinator of International Students and Social Activities in the Office for Student Affairs. In 2010, he assumed responsibility for five years of directing the TRIO SSS ESL program. In 2015 he was appointed
Vice President for Student Affairs. He completed his doctorate in Educational Management and Leadership at the Inter American University, San Germán Campus. His doctoral dissertation topic was on student services and its relationship to student retention.
Doctor López is the vice president of the Caribbean Association of Educational Opportunity Programs of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
His goal: To transform the environment into one that motivates others to achieve success through genuine and selfless service.
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Click to view the first recent webinars: |
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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 leads a panel of college presidents including 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.
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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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