The annual Summit is a full-day conference addressing pressing topics related to the sense of belonging at Boston College and in the higher education field.
Save the Date
May 28, 2025, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm聽
Gasson Hall
Join us at the 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Summit, where we will examine Boston College鈥檚 ongoing commitment to cultivating a welcoming and respectful environment that fosters engaging dialogue across diverse perspectives. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淩eflect, Renew & Recommit,鈥� invites participants to reflect on the institution's notable progress, inject new energy into diversity and inclusion initiatives, and reaffirm the institution's steadfast commitment to advancing and sustaining inclusive excellence at all levels.
Belonging in Practice: Maintaining Momentum
May 22, 2024, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm聽
Gasson Hall
The 9th Diversity and Inclusion Summit is dedicated to enhancing our understanding of practices that actively contribute to and maintain inclusive excellence. We will reflect on actions that sustain the momentum of belonging through introspection and dialogue to strengthen the framework that helps each community member feel a deep sense of belonging at Boston College.
Keynote Speaker
Howard J. Ross
Howard J. Ross is the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Summit featured keynote speaker. He is a lifelong social justice advocate and one of the world鈥檚 seminal thought leaders in identifying and addressing unconscious bias. Howard has specialized in synthesizing neuro-cognitive and social science research and direct application re: Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility work. His client work has focused on corporate culture change, leadership development, and managing diversity.
Ross has successfully implemented large-scale organizational culture change efforts in the area of managing diversity and cultural integration in academic institutions, professional services corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and retail, health care, media, and governmental institutions in 47 of the United States and over 40 countries worldwide.
2024 Diversity and Inclusion Summit
SCHEDULE
| 8:30 a.m. | Light Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m.聽 | Opening,聽Invocation,聽Welcome and Introduction of Howard J. Ross Patricia Lowe, Associate Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity John T. Butler, S.J., Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry David Trainor, Vice President for Human Resources William Murphy, Associate Vice President for Human Resources |
| 9:15 a.m. | Morning Keynote聽聽 Howard J. Ross, Author of Our Search for Belonging: How Our Need to Connect Is Tearing Us Apart |
| 10:25 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 a.m. | Morning Keynote/Community of Practice |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch Break - Lyons Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. | Educational Concurrent Sessions*聽 Session 1: Tending to Fractures: Actionable Strategies for Trauma-Informed Cultures, presented by Callid Keefe-Perry, Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Public Theology, School of Theology and Ministry聽(Gasson 306) Session 2: Inclusive Design: Making Digital Media Accessible, presented by Jennifer Walker, Associate Director, Instructional Media, Center for Digital Innovation in Learning; Aaron Walters, Senior Instructional Media Producer, Center for Digital Innovation in Learning聽(Gasson 302) Session 3: Curating a Sense of Belonging for Messina College Students, presented by Roatha Kong, Director, Office of Student Involvement; Alicia LaPolla, Associate Dean, Messina College; Steven Koo, Senior Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions聽聽(Gasson 305) Session 4: Restoring Self-Directed Learning: Exploring Relational Approaches to Course Feedback & Grading, presented by Andr茅s Castro Samayoa, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership & Higher Education, Lynch School of Education and Human Development 聽(Gasson 301) |
| 2:40 p.m. | Afternoon Panel Moderator: Martin Summers, Professor, History Department聽 Panelists: John T. Butler, S.J., Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry |
| 4:10 p.m. | Reflections and Discussion Facilitated by William Murphy, Associate Vice President for Human Resources |
| 4:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks Patricia Lowe, Associate Vice President, Office for Institutional Diversity |
| 4:30 p.m. | 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Summit Concludes |
Morning Keynote
Afternoon Panel
*Please be aware that we are not recording any concurrent sessions to encourage transparent and authentic conversations among participants and presenters; depending on participant survey responses, we may offer a repeat session in the fall.
EDUCATIONAL CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Presenter: Callid Keefe-Perry, Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Public Theology,聽 School of Theology and Ministry聽
This is an introductory workshop designed to equip educators, administrators, and staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to create a trauma-responsive academic environment. This 90-minute session explores trauma and its pervasive impact on students' learning and sense of belonging. Utilizing a blend of theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and interactive case study, the workshop outlines practical strategies for developing a culture that prioritizes safety, empowerment, and support. Attention is paid to the role that moral injury can play, as well as outright trauma, recognizing that both of these human experiences are present in our community. Participants will engage in reflective exercises, group discussions, culminating with an opportunity to identify possible next steps for themselves and/or their departments, working toward building up responsive, inclusive, and supportive educational spaces.
Presenters: Jennifer Walker, Associate Director, Instructional Media, Center for Digital Innovation in Learning; Aaron Walters, Senior Instructional Media Producer, Center for Digital Innovation in Learning
Education thrives on inclusivity, and multimedia plays a vital role in engaging learners today. But what happens when these resources leave some learners behind? This interactive workshop will examine the fundamentals of multimedia accessibility in education, empowering educators and content creators to design materials that reach every student. Practical techniques for adding closed captions, audio descriptions, alternative text, and other accessibility features will be demonstrated, along with tools and resources for evaluating and testing the accessibility of multimedia resources. Join us in exploring how accessible multimedia content can enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and educational equity in today's diverse classrooms.
Presenters: Roatha Kong, Director, Office of Student Involvement; Alicia LaPolla, Associate Dean, Messina College; Steven Koo, Senior Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
This session will feature the multifaceted and holistic approach of the development of Messina College at Boston College. The three areas of consideration in creating the incoming students鈥� sense of belonging include the recruitment, selection, and enrollment process, formation of an integrated academic experience, and the priorities for student co-curricular engagement and integration to BC. Presenters will discuss the building of Messina College, the tactics and strategies employed, and how the larger Boston College community can continue to shape its growth and success.
Presenter: Andr茅s Castro Samayoa, Associate Professor,聽 Educational Leadership & Higher Education, Lynch School of Education and Human Development
In this interactive session, participants will examine opportunities to integrate self-directed and ungraded practices in their teaching. Through a combination of reflective exercises, an instructor's case study, and group breakouts, participants will explore the potential of ungrading as a tool for promoting equity and inclusivity in BC classrooms. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for implementing alternative assessment methods, cultivating a sense of belonging among diverse learners, and opportunities to continue their development with alternative strategies to grading processes in college classrooms.