This page archives the presentations at our March 2021 Faculty micro-Conference.
Equity is MORE than a NICE Word
Speaker: DR. CHERRY ROSS GOODEN
This session will focus on “equity-mindedness” and how this perspective is demonstrated in concrete ways by college faculty and staff who see this as their responsibility as higher education professionals. This will be a critical conversation framed by the realities facing faculty and students in educational spaces today.
Legislative Update: Community College Faculty and the Texas Legislature
Speaker: RICHARD MOORE:
When the COVID-19 pandemic came to Texas, our community colleges stepped up, preparing nurses and other healthcare providers, donating resources and equipment, and reskilling workers who had lost their jobs in the economic downturn. Elected officials need to hear from faculty about the importance of community colleges in Texas and in their districts, so they understand our institutions are the way out of this crisis. In this session, we will discuss several important issues, including community college funding, and how to communicate with elected officials during a “virtual” legislative session. Please join us as we consider some opportunities for faculty to lead the discussion about the future direction of community colleges in Texas.
Work and Our Well-Being: Supporting Self-Care
Speaker: BRENDA HOUGH
The coronavirus pandemic is impacting almost every aspect of our lives. Many are under a great deal of stress and are experiencing a high level of uncertainty. An emphasis on workplace well-being is more important than ever. How can we take care of ourselves and take care of one another as we respond to the needs of our communities? Topics in this interactive one-hour session will include: Why does workplace well-being matter? What contributes to feelings of well-being in the workplace? The impact of stress and burnout. What’s NEXT? Identifying strategies for self-care. What’s NEXT? Identifying ways to support one another’s well-being in our organizations. Join us to better understand your own experience of work and to gain practical ideas for improving workplace well-being, for yourself and others, as we embrace the new normal. Read more about Brenda at www.brendahough.com
Anti-Racism in the Classroom: Seven Simple Strategies to Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Classroom Environment
Speakers: HAYLEY ELLISOR and PATRICK GILBERT
Join these panelists for a presentation on how to have an anti-racist classroom environment, whether online or face-to-face. Presenters will discuss seven strategies to having an anti-racist curriculum, a welcoming and racially inclusive classroom, and tips for courageous conversations about race in class. Presenters will discuss how to appreciate, celebrate, and respect race in the classroom. The hope is that implementing these strategies will allow for enriching discussions, higher retention, better grades, and positive student engagement.