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.
Chicana, First Gen PhD- Meet Dr. Rosanna Garcia


Dr. Rosanna Garcia, what is your personal narrative? What key moments in your life led you to where you are?

I was a first-generation university student who as a junior in high school blindly decided that pursuing a chemical engineering degree was my goal in life. It is a good thing I was naïve about the hurdles that I would face or I likely would not have taken that path. As they say ‘ignorance is bliss’. I initially struggled in this academic environment but had a strong support system with the Chicanx/Latinx Cultural Resource Center on campus at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Although my family was unable to provide much financial assistance, they believed in my success, which helped me to believe in myself.

My engineering degree set a foundation for my career, although not in the way I had initially thought. In my junior year of college, I realized that although I liked being in the lab, I also liked the business side of technology. This lead me to pursue Business Economics as a second major. After working a couple of years for Pacific Gas & Electric, I was accepted into the University of Rochester for my MBA. This was sponsored by the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. While at the U of R, I took a class on new product development with Dr. Ron Yeaple. Here I was introduced to an area of study that combined my interests in technology and business, which is my focus still to this day. After graduating with a MBA, I worked in the telecommunication industry for several years and started a company, which I later sold. As a new product manager, I started reading research about innovations and discovered I found academic research fascinating. With the support of the PhD Project and with encouragement from Dr. Abbie Griffin, I became a doctoral student at Michigan State University. At MSU, Dr. Roger Calantone encouraged his students to explore non-traditional paths, so I minored in complex systems, a new stream of research that was emerging from the Santa Fe Institute. This systemic approach to problem identification has greatly influenced how I view the world. I began teaching new product and innovation courses at Northeastern University until 2014 when I shifted my teaching and research interests to entrepreneurship. Fast forward a few years, and I am now the Beswick Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where I work with young entrepreneurs in taking their innovations to market. Mentoring these innovative, dedicated individuals is the best job in the world!

From this narrative, I think there are three take-aways:

  1. Ask for and accept support from mentors;
  2. Never be afraid to try something new;
  3. There are no set career paths one must follow, set a north star and pursue your passions in whatever direction it takes you.

How do you support diverse university-based start-ups? What tools have you found most entrepreneurs need? 

One of the most satisfying programs I have lead was working with the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce. I initiated a 12-week program where we would meet weekly to learn a fundamental skill, and during the week the participants would apply that skill to their companies. It was exciting to see where the companies started and how much their businesses evolved and grew over time. Coming up with business ideas and developing innovations is the easy part of starting a company. Sustaining the business over time is the real challenge, particularly for minoritized individuals who have fewer resources than majority populations. Minority entrepreneurs need more resilience and drive than the resource-rich entrepreneur, who is typically a white male. One of the first tools the minoritized entrepreneur needs is what we call ‘bricolage’ in academia, or more colloquially ‘bootstrapping.’ Being scrappy and using whatever resources are available to you is an important skill to embrace. I’m currently conducting research on social entrepreneurship in Cuba. Cubans have to embrace bricolage because of the limited resources on the island. It’s fascinating to see how they build global companies with so little.

Regardless if an entrepreneur is resource-limited or resource-rich, in working with hundreds of different types of start-ups, I find that they often can not articulate their value proposition. Being able to understand what value you are bringing to your customers is fundamental to the success of the firm. A great tool I have found for identifying value creation is the Business Model Canvas, which is described in the books Business Model Generation and Value Proposition Design by Osterwalder and Pigneur. Both books are easy reading and are available on Amazon. I start all my entrepreneurship classes by having the students buy these books. The Lean Startup technique by Eric Ries is also another important tool. This method describes how to shift the direction of a company, called a ‘pivot’, to really deliver on the value created by a startup and doing it quickly to preserve those limited resources.
 
What advice would you give to the next generation of Inclusive Leaders?

Every company talks about diversity, equity and inclusion. I recently was talking to a colleague, and she spoke about ‘belonging,’ which really resonated with me. As a Chicana, there have been many times where I felt that I didn’t belong – such as in the engineering field, or as a business owner of a tech company, and even in academia. In my first company, which I launched in 1989, I used to have my husband meet with partners and customers to negotiate deals because I knew I would not be taken seriously. I’m happy to say that I don’t do that anymore, not because discrimination against women in tech doesn’t happen, it still does, but I no longer take a back seat. It’s important that women and minorities are seen as belonging in the field of entrepreneurship and technology.

Liz Fosslien is credited with saying that ‘diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice heard’. I’ll add ‘heard and appreciated.’ I believe a first step toward creating a sense of belonging is to deeply listen to others. You may find they are saying the same thing as you, but with a different language. In my research, I’ve found that women entrepreneurs have a different language than male entrepreneurs. Women speak with more community-oriented words and males tend to speak more about power, destiny and profits. Yet, all entrepreneurs have the same goal, that of creating something of value that sustains over time. Establishing a culture where diverse voices are heard and appreciated is not easy to do, but it must start with someone. Inspiring a culture of belonging is what Inclusive Leaders need to embrace, not just DEI. I encourage Inclusive Leaders to be Belonging Leaders. 
Upcoming GlobalMindED Equity Sessions (4:00 ET), details on images below:
  • Higher Ed: Lifting the Hood on Disability Services - Time for a Tune Up! 9/21 Register
  • K-12: New Beginnings - Starting School and Staying Safe in Uncertain Times 9/22 Register
  • STEM: Building the Talent Pipeline - Hispanic/LatinX Students in STEM 9/23 Register
  • Health: Mental Health and Resilience in Unscripted Times 9/27 Register
  • Impact of Board Diversity: Why is Board Diversity Important? 9/28 Register
Join us for GlobalMindED 2022 June 22-24

The most diverse education, business, government, Tech, Health, STEM conference with First Gen to college students in attendance. We will have pre-conferences and the Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner June 22.
To view the complete Reboot Resilience to Rebound Remarkable GlobalMindED 2021 events see below:
All GlobalMindED 2021 events are also on our YouTube channel. 
FIRST GEN WEEK
First Gen Role Models: What Does Success, Inclusive Leadership and Contribution Look Like?
Merritt McKenzie; President, Therapy / Applied Behavior Analysis Division, Aveanna Healthcare moderates the panel discussion with Zuleika Johnson; VP of Opportunity and Outreach, El Pomar Foundation, Vanecia Kerr; Chief Impact Officer, Mile High United Way, Kwesi Edwards; Board Member, Foundation for California Community Colleges, Lan Phan; Founder & CEO, Community of SEVEN, Anthony Newton; Microsoft Alumni Entrepreneur, Owner, Ancott, and Serita Liles; Senior Intern Coordinator, North Carolina A&T State University
What Industry Leaders Look for in Students/Graduates: Inside Secrets for Promotion Pathway Success
Ken Epps; CEO, ThreeNineteen moderates this panel with Ken McNeely; President, Western Region AT&T, Kathleen Schaum; Executive Director, University Talent Acquisition, KPMG, Guy Primus; CEO, Valence Community, Al Baker; Vice President, Siemens Enterprise Communications and Steve Zimba; Founder & CEO, Nulia
Where Are They Now? First Gen Leaders’ Insights as Young Professionals
Rocio Perez; Inclusion and Diversity Thought Leader and Trainer, Inventiva Consulting leads the panel discussion with Nima Shahab Shahmir; Application Developer, TC Energy, Betty Hailu; Research Assistant, George Washington University, Conner Sturgeon; Graduate Supervisor, Indiana University Residential Programs, and Amelia Mawlawi; Global Product Manager, HP
How to Be a Mentor and How to Be Mentored
Kwame Johnson; President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta leads the panel with GlobalMindED Ambassadors and mentors Shannon Stone; Senior Relationship Manager, AMG National Trust Bank, Hector Ramos Diaz; Mathematics Student, University of Portland, Yonus Harris, Aerospace Engineering student, University of Michigan, and Phuong Dinh; Population Health Program, Manager, University of Colorado Medicine
GlobalMindED/Every Learner Everywhere First Gen Student Ambassadors: Freshman Year Success Secrets
Alicia Sepulveda, PhD; Academic Coach, University of Colorado, Boulder leads the discussion with Tomozia Graves; Peer Advising Assistant and recent graduate, Harford Community College, Hannah Petronek; Undergraduate Research Assistant, recent graduate West Virginia University, and Sochima Ifedikwa; Computer Science Student, Texas Tech Student, Texas Tech
HEALTH WEEK
Isolation to Compassionate Connection, How Organizations Support Their Employees in Crisis and Beyond
Liz Sweigart, PhD; Partner, PwC leads the discussion with Zachary S. Nunn; Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Impact, SurveyMonkey, Tilak Mandadi; EVP, Digital & Global Chief Technology Officer, Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Lizette Ojeda, PhD; Founder, Work-Life Lab, Texas A&M University, Lisa Giuroiu; Vice President, Pharma & Life Sciences, Susan G. Komen, and Conner Sturgeon; Graduate Supervisor, Indiana University
Emerging Covid Strong: Resilient Connections and the Indomitable Spirit
Dr. Paul Miller; Principal and CEO, Green Tech High Charter School leads the discussion with Dr. Marck Abraham; CEO, MEA Consulting and Principal, Buffalo Public Schools, Rina Patel; Founder & CEO, The Thinkers, Dr. Joe Martin; Founder and Creator, Real Men Connect, and Dr. Latoya Johnson; Special Education Coordinator, Green Tech High Charter School
Women and Alcohol: Epidemic in a Pandemic
Ann Dowsett Johnston; Bestselling Author: Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, moderates the discussion with Lisa F. Smith; Author: Girl Walks Out of a Bar, Saumya Bharat; Biology student, Georgia State, University, Monica Swahn; Dean, Wellstar College of Health & Human Services, Kennesaw State University, and Harshita Yepuri; Graduate Neuroscience Student, Georgia State University
Growing the Diverse Talent Pipeline Across the Health Professions
Carol Carter, Founder, GlobalMindED leads this panel discussion with Merritt McKenzie; President, Therapy/Applied Behavior Analysis Division, Aveanna Healthcare, Dr. Connie Kim Yen Nguyen-Truong, Assistant Professor, Washington State University, Dr. Sameer Sood; Primary Care Physician, Strive Health, Dr. Dula F. Pacquiao; Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, and student Hana Mawlawi; Colorado School of Mines
NSF INCLUDES WEEK
Next Steps for Increasing Minority Representation in Engineering: Systemic Change
Dr. Miguel Velez-Reyes; Professor and Chair, University of Texas at El Paso, Dr. Peter Romine; Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering, Navajo Technical University, Nader Vadiee; Professor, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Mohamed Chouikha; Executive Professor and Executive Director, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Prairie View A&M University
NSF Includes and Other Broadening Participation Initiatives
Dr. Don Millard; Deputy Division Director, National Science Foundation, Dr. Christine Grant, Associate Dean Faculty Advancement, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NC State, and Dr. Tori Rhouloc Smith, Program Director, National Science Foundation
Diversifying Engineering - Deans’ Perspectives
Dr. Clay Gloster, Jr.; Dean of the Graduate College, North Carolina A&T State University moderates the discussion with Dr. Preselfannie E. Whitfield McDaniels; Dean, Div. of Graduate Studies, Jackson State University, Dr. Dana A. Williams; Dean of the Graduate School, Howard University, Dr. Oscar Barton, Jr.; Dean, School of Engineering, Morgan State University, and Dr. Stephanie G. Adams; Dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Texas, Dallas
Ubuntu: A Non-Western Perspective on How Collective Impact Can Broaden Participation in STEM
Moderator Dr. Kemi Ladeji-Osias; Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Morgan State University interviews Keynote speaker Dr. Ivory Toldson; President and CEO, Quality Education for Minorities Network
Diversifying Engineering: An Industry Perspective
Dr. Kenneth Connor; Professor EMeritus, ELectrical, Computer & Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Danyel Wimberly; Senior Director, NetApp, Victor S. Gavin; Head of Federal Technology Vision and Business Development, Amazon Web Services, Robin Getz; Director of Systems Engineering; Analog devices, Toffee Coleman; Global Sales & marketing manager, Fluke corporation, Tim Shepard; Vice president, Business development strategy & operations, Lockheed Martin Space
Innovations in the Engineering Curriculum: K-12 College Pathways
Dr. Kamal Ali; Professor, Jackson State University, Dr. Brittany Chambers; Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Verizon, Dr. Vemitra White; Education Specialist, NASA Marshall & Stennis Space Flight Centers, Dr. Oludare Owolabi; Assistant Professor, Morgan State University, Dr. Adam Carberry; Associate Professor, Arizona State University, Dr. Medha Dalal; Postdoctorate Research Scholar, Arizona State University
Success and Education in Graduate Mentoring
Dr. Clay Gloster Jr.; Dean, North Carolina A&T State University ; Keynote Speaker: Howard Adams; Founder and President H.G. Adams and Associates
Women in Engineering: Increasing Representation
Dr. Cindy Ziker; Executive Director, Ziker Research, Panelist: Dr. Cheryl Talley; Professor of Psychology at Virginia State University, Panelist: Dr. Heather Metcalf; Director of Research and Constituent Relations, Women in Engineering ProActive Network, Panelist: Dr. Roberta Rincon; Assoc. Director of Research, Society of Women Engineers, Panelist: Dr. Rochelle Williams; Sr. Director of Programs, National Society of Black Engineers
Broadening Participation in the Engineering Pathway: Research on Critical Transitions
Dr. Cindy Ziker ; Executive Director, Ziker Research, Panelist: Dr. Steve Efe ; Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, Panelist: Dr. Pamela Leigh-Mack; Professor & Chair, Department of Engineering at Virginia State University, Panelist: Dr. Julius Davis; Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, Bowie State University
Creating a Climate for Post Pandemic Success for Minorities in Engineering
Keynote address by Dr. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University
STEM Around the World: Student Led Success
Aaron Aaron Cortes; Northeastern Illinois University, Alexandra Agudelo Ruiz; Secretary of Education for Medellin, Columbia, Cüong Trän; NASA Electrical Power Systems Engineer, Dr. Alyssa Lenhoff-Briggs; Director of STEM Learning Ecosystems; Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, Jen Iriti; STEM Push Network, and Matthew Cua; Director of Innovation Help, NGO
ONE HE GLOBAL HIGHER ED WEEK
Person-Centered Learning: Teaching the Skills Needed to Support People
Olivia Fleming; Founder & Director of Partnerships, OneHE moderates the conversation with Dr. Erik Blair; Senior Lecturer, Higher Education Research and Practice, University of West London, Dr. Julie Hulme; reader in Psychology, Keele University, Cleo Keeling Ball; BSc (Hons) Psychology student, Keele University, and Emma Crabb; student, Keele University
Equity Unbound: Building Online Communities
Dr. Mia Zamora; Associate Professor of English, Kean University, Dr. Maha Bali; Associate Professor, American University in Cairo, Autumm Caines; Instructional Designer, University of Michigan
The Future of Higher Education: A Global Perspective
Olivia Fleming; Founder & Director of Partnerships, OneHE leads the conversation with Dr. Hilligje van’t Land; Secretary General International Association of Universities, Warren Kennard; Founder & CEO ConnectED, and Dr. C. Edward Watson; CIO and Associate VP, Association of American Colleges and Universities
Creating an Inclusive Community - New Faculty and Radical Empathy
Olivia Fleming; Founder & Director of Partnerships, OneHE leads the discussion with Dr. Terri Givens; Founder and CEO of Brighter Higher Education, Devin Gaines; Account Executive, SurveyMonkey, and Chantelle George; Founder and CEO of CG Consulting
Develop a Growth Mindset in Students: The Challenge and How to Meet It
Olivia Fleming; Founder & Director of Partnerships, OneHE leads the conversation with Dr. Steve Joordens; Full Professor University of Toronto, Scarborough, and Nadeem Abdi; 3rd Year Neuroscience Student, University of Toronto, Scarborough
HIGHER EDUCATION WEEK
Latinos as Inclusive Leaders in Higher Ed - Working with All People Creates the Strongest Latino Leaders
Jose R. Rodriguez; Partner (ret.), KPMG LLP leads the discussion with David Lopez; First Gen Student, University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Donna Blancero, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs Bentley University, Jeffrey Vargas; President & CEO Generationology, Dr. Cristina Alfaro; Assoc. VP for International Affairs, San Diego State University, and Carlos Contreras; Sr. Dir. Americas, Global Partnership and Initiatives Intel Corporation
Infusing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Across the Curriculum: How and Now
Dr. Susan Swayze; Founder & CEO, Diversity Think Tank leads discussion with Nadia N. Butt; Doctoral Student, The George Washington University, Dr. Wendy Cukier; Founder and Director, Diversity Institute, Ryerson University, Dr. Terri Hinkley; CEO, Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, and Dr. Arlen Meyers; President and CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs
HBCUs Leading Innovation, Inclusivity, and Ingenuity: Defining the New Normal Post COVID
Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover; President, Tennessee State University leads the discussion with Bernie Milano; Founder, PhD Project, Cece Rodgers; Student, Tougaloo College, and Dr. Harold Lee Martin Senior; Chancellor, North Carolina A & T State University.
Inclusive HR Directors Improve Life for Higher Ed: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes on College Campuses
Dr. Ryan Ross; Associate Vice Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, & Inclusion, Colorado Community College System leads the discussion with Christina Cecil; Chief Human Resources Officer, Colorado Community College System, Cheng Yu Hou; Chief Human Resources Officer, San Mateo County Community College District, Bill Dial; Chief Human Resources Officer, College of Southern Nevada, and Kyra Welch; Student, Bethune-Cookman
Native Higher Education Leaders: Transforming COVID Caused Challenges
Dr. David Yarlott, President of Little Big Horn College leads the discussion with Dr. Twyla Baker, President of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, Dr. Carma Claw, Assistant Professor of Management, Fort Lewis College, Dr. Billie Jo Kipp, Associate Director Research and Evaluation, Aspen Institute Center for Native American Youth, Dr. Joseph Gladstone, Professor of Business Management University of New Haven, and Dominik MorningDove, a current student from Fort Lewis College
K-12 WEEK
Building the Diverse Talent Pipeline in K-12, Master’s, and PhD: First Gen and Diverse Success
Dr. Tania Hogan; Director of Undergraduate Student Success, University of Colorado Denver leads the discussion with Richard Maez; IB Diploma Program Manager - Denver Public Schools, Dr. Maria A. Castro Barajas; Assistant Director, Pre-Collegiate Development, Univ. of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Robin Brandehoff; Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Denver, and Joselyne Garcia-Moreno; student, University of Colorado Denver
Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in K-12: Moving the Big Rocks of Equity Forward
Jonathan Cooper; Superintendent - Mason City Schools leads panel discussion with Soroya Smith; DEI Learning Experience Designer - Mason City Schools, Kori Harris; Online Content Designer - Second Grade Teacher, Mason Early Childhood Center, Amie Switzer; 4th-grade teacher - Mason City Schools, Mariah Norman; Senior, Mason High School, and Bena Kallick; Co-Founder, Institute for Habits of Mind
Developing the Principal and Superintendent Diverse Pipeline in PK–12: Looking Ahead 
Dr. Mort Sherman; Associate Executive Director - AASA, The School Superintendents Association leads this panel discussion with Dr. Maria Ott; Executive in Residence, University of Southern California, Dr. Michael Conner; Superintendent - Middletown Public Schools, and Dr. Khalid Mumin; Superintendent - Reading School District. Includes Kid Superintendent video
Latino Leaders as Learning Changemakers: The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just, and Equitable 
Adrian Rosado; President - Zion Leadership Group with Yecenia Tostado; Executive Director - Project Azul, Sixcia Devine; Business Development Specialist - Grow with Google, Alissa Santana; McNair Scholar, Senior, Business Major University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Jaime Ivan Lopez-Rivera; VP for Student Affairs - Antillean Adventist University, Puerto Rico. Register below Renay's story.
TECHNOLOGY WEEK
STEPS to Skills on the Go: Cell Phone Learning Advancing Equity for Adult Students
Waukecha Wilkerson; Director of Coaching, Cell-Ed leads the panel discussion with Vickie Hay; CalWORKs Coordinator, Student Success, Orange Coast College, David A. Croom; Asst. Director, Postsecondary Achievement, Aspen Institute, Portia Polk; Director of Learning and Advocacy, Generation Hope, and Rachel Mercott, Student, Cell-Ed STEPS
Driving Change through Intersectional Philanthropy: Increasing Representation and Leadership
Dwana Franklin-Davis; CEO, Reboot Representation leads discussion with Carina Weyer; Program Manager, F5 Global Good & F5 Foundation, Taliah Givens; Sr. Director, Student Professional Development, UNCF, Jamie Schwartz; Director of Major Gifts, American Indian College Fund, and Debbie Marcus; Senior Director, Break Through Tech, Cornell Tech
Student Leaders Speak To College Presidents, CEOs, and Government Leaders
Dr. Jessica Rowland Williams; Director, Every Learner Everywhere leads the discussion with GlobalMindED Every Learner Student Ambassadors Jair Flores; Student, Colorado State University Pueblo, Serita Liles; Student, North Carolina A&T State University, Hector Ramos Diaz; Student, University of Portland, and Kyra Welch; Student, Bethune-Cookman University
Advancing Equity in Highly Selective HS and College Admissions-Ed Equity Lab, Partners, and Students 
Alexandra Slack; Chief of Staff, National Education Equity Lab, leads this panel discussion with Asheley Siewnarine; Student Success Director - National Education Equity Lab, Di’Zhon Chase; Student, Columbia University, Michaell Santos; Student, The Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice, and Favi Olmedo; Student, Bronx Career & College Prep. High School
Tech Empowering Students Before, During, and After Covid: Closing the Digital Divide
Dr. Michael Torrance; President, Motlow State Community College leads panel discussion with Elise Shea; Founder & President, Conversations Unbound, Robert Joseph; President, Team MindShift, Rishi Kanjani; Analyst, Data Insights, Salesforce, and Cala Estes; Director of Education, Blind Institute of Technology
The Benefits of Global Internships: How, Why, Where
Adrian Rosado; President, Zion Leadership Group leads panel with Mara Luna; Director, TRIO Upward Bound. Univ of Puerto Rico, Mitzi Damazo-Sabando; CEO, TinkerHouse Inc., Manila, Philippines, Tree Xu; Community Manager, Education First, Wuxi, China, Erika Aquino; Executive Director, Infinit-O Group Foundation, Raymond Cabrera; Director, TRIO Upward Bound, Univ. of S. Florida, Ayessa Weems; Student, TRIO Student Support, Purdue Univ. NW
EARTH WEEK
International Youth: Strategies for Inclusive, Just, and Equitable Climate Leadership 
Ash Pachauri; Co-Founder and Senior Mentor, Protect Our Planet Movement and Drishya Pathak; POP Movement, India lead this panel of international students including Summer Benjamin; POP Movement Peter Gruber International Academy, US Virgin Islands, Caroline Sandberg; Tahoe Expedition Academy, USA, Tsague Dongfack/Willy Endelson; POP Movement, Cameroon, Ricardo Delgado; POP Youth Mentor, Arturo Michelena Univ, Venezuela, and Zoe Ricardo Rivera; CEI Univ, México
How Environmental Justice and Equity Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis Part 1 
Courtney Knight; Founder and Managing Member, Capstone Capital Advisors and Susan Kidd; Executive Director, Center for Sustainability, Agnes Scott College lead discussion with Anamarie Shreeves; Environmental Education Programs Manager, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Eriqah Vincent; Network Engagement Director, Power Shift Network, Dr. Dana Williamson; EPA Environmental Health Fellow, Assoc of Schools and Programs of Public Health, and Gwendylon P. Smith; Exec Director, Collier Heights Association for Revitalization, Resilience, and Sustainability.  
How Environmental Justice and Equity Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis Part 2 
Dr. Kyle Whyte; Professor of Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, leads panel discussion with Ka’illjuus / Lisa Lang; Executive Director, Xaadas Kil Kuyaas Foundation, Dr. Kelsey Leonard; Assistant Professor, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Brittany Judson; Just Growth Consultant Partnership for Southern Equity, and AJ (Andrea) Grant; President, Environmental Communications Associates.
Student Leaders Speak 2021 Report Finds Shift to Remote Learning Hardest on BIPOC College Students

Diverse students felt they did not have a seat at the table when pandemic related decisions were made and call on college leaders to include them. The report is a joint initiative between Every Learner Everywhere and GlobalMindED with support from The Equity Project LLC


(DENVER, CO – May 6, 2021) — A new report based on data-driven surveys of 25 GlobalMindED Ambassadors representing a larger group of 102 students from 47 colleges in 22 states found that without exception, the shift from on campus learning to remote college instruction has most negatively impacted poverty-affected, first generation, Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. Their voices are shared in the report, which concludes that college presidents, CEO’s and government leaders cannot solve problems for these students without including them at the table.

Student Leaders Speak 2021: Student Voices Informing Educational Strategies, conducted via surveys, interviews and informal feedback from mentors, illustrates a lack of national and collegiate preparedness to address the near-immediate shift from in-classroom to remote learning. Students reported a lack of access to an engaged faculty and essential technology while underscoring that their greatest support and strength has come from interaction and collaboration within their dedicated student community. Read the full report here: Student Leaders Speak to College Presidents, CEOs and Policymakers.

Highlights include:

  • Communities represented included BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), first generation, living with disabilities, white poverty-affected, LGBTQ+, Veteran, Online, and ESL/Immigrant.

  • 100 percent acknowledged two or more barriers such as lack of internet access, lack of focused learning environment, no personal device, health concerns, unemployment, language barriers, learning from their beds/bedrooms and/or managing younger siblings.

  • 100 percent described absent or unavailable campus support systems beyond the instructor, equating the learning experience and cost of same as being grossly out of alignment.

  • 80 percent disapproved of the online learning experience, citing inconsistency in faculty ability to educate using technological tools and practices. In essence, the virtual environment was not mirroring or upholding the most important elements of the in-person environment, as some faculty were not adequately trained in the COVID-caused emotional/social needs of students.

  • 70 percent relied on peer support as compared to more formal support systems. Students were learning and growing by being together – something critical to note during times of both social and physical distancing.

The report calls on college administrators to implement actionable steps to ease the challenging demands of remote learning and smooth the transition from college to professional careers.

  • Colleges should do a better job of providing a platform for the voices of poverty-affected and first generation students to be heard.

  • Faculty needs to gain a better grasp of digital tools, technologies and strategies.

  • Advisors should recruit student coaches and peers to help newer students from diverse communities.

  • Policy makers must improve access to transportation, housing, child care, financing, lower tuition/debt and career opportunities for first generation/diverse students.

GlobalMindED Programs helps with:

GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
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