Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion Conference
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Conference Theme:
“Empowering Rural Education: Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Diverse Learning Contexts”
Conference Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Time: 2:00-7:00 pm (Mountain Time)
Location: ICCU Bengal Alumni Center
Hosted by the College of Education with support from the ISU Diversity Resource Center.
Schedule of Events
2:00 - 3:20 PM: Welcome & Poster Session
3:20 - 3:30 PM: Break
3:30 - 4:30 PM: Panel I - Building Inclusive Communities: Strategies for Fostering a Strong Sense of Belonging in Educational and Professional Environments
4:30 - 4:45 PM: Break
4:45 - 5:45 PM: Panel II - Supporting Inclusive Communities: Understanding and Navigating Legal Issues Related to Belonging in Educational Environments
5:45 - 6:00 PM: Break
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Keynote Presentation by Dr. Selena Grace - "When no one looks like me - Why access, belonging, and inclusion matter for the success of all students."
Keynote Presenter
Dr. Selena M. Grace is the Executive Vice President for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She provides support to a portfolio of institutions with a focus on supporting the Tribal Colleges and federally recognized Minority Serving Institutions. Her work includes building internal DEI capacity and other equity initiatives, internal strategic planning, supporting substantive changes processes and procedures, supporting peer evaluator capacity, and updates and revisions to handbooks. Previously she served as Vice Provost for Academic Strategy & Institutional Effectiveness at Idaho State University. Dr. Grace brings significant experience leading transformational change in education policy and practices, as well as bringing diverse constituents together. She was a member of the inaugural cohort of the WICHE Western Academic Leadership Academy, and her previous experience includes Chief Academic Officer at the Idaho State Board of Education. Dr. Grace is a first-generation college graduate. She has a B.A. in English with a writing emphasis and a minor in Native American Studies from Boise State University, an M.F.A. in creative writing, non-fiction from George Mason University, and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Boise State University. Her research focused on representation of American Indian teachers in public K-12 education and how that impacted access and performance of American Indian students.
The College of Education at Idaho State University acknowledges the distinctive challenges faced by educators in rural Idaho and aims to promote discussions on belonging, equity, and the empowerment of teachers to address the diverse learning needs of their students. The complexity of the educational landscape is increasingly pronounced, with issues ranging from addressing students' mental health and emotional needs to ensuring equitable access to digital resources for online or hybrid instruction. This complexity is further exacerbated by the nationwide teacher shortage, which disproportionately affects rural schools due to the reluctance of prospective educators to pursue opportunities in these areas.
The Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion (BEI) Conference is designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue among educators regarding evidence-based strategies to advance equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging, with a specific emphasis on rural contexts. True equity entails allocating resources to areas of greatest need, dismantling barriers, and providing targeted support. A sense of belonging is cultivated when individuals feel recognized for their unique contributions, connected to their peers, supported in their development, and aligned with their values. The goal of the conference is to generate and share ideas that will contribute to achieving genuine equity and fostering a sense of belonging within rural educational settings.
The College of Education is steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a robust sense of belonging by establishing an inclusive and secure educational environment for all members of our community. Our faculty and staff are devoted to the preparation of future educators and leaders who will advocate for equity and justice within their classrooms, schools, and the broader society. The BEI conference presents a significant opportunity to engage in an in-depth exploration of the pivotal issues surrounding belonging, equity, and inclusion. It serves as a platform for mutual learning and a reaffirmation of our dedication to being proactive agents of change within our community.
The BEI Conference is organized by the Idaho State University College of Education and ISU Diversity Resource Center. For more information, please email coeevents@isu.edu.
The participants will be able to:
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- integrate equity and inclusion strategies to promote student learning in rural P-12 learning environments.
- appreciate diversity on the ISU campus, Pocatello community, and larger society.
- promote an inclusive and welcoming environment for all community members.
- provide a platform for ISU teacher candidates to share their concerns, challenges, and strategies about equity and inclusion in the classroom.
- promote instructional strategies and services to meet individual, cultural or environmental differences.
Past Conference Information: