Launched in fall 2020 in response to President Eisgruber’s call to action, the series will once again offer ten unique sessions with the primary goal of preparing graduate students with inclusive leadership skills as a way to combat systemic racism. Inclusive leadership training is both critical for individual leadership development and essential for building a collective movement to support lasting structural change. Leaders with this skillset can help build and sustain inclusive cultures at every level within our institutions, organizations, and communities.

In addition to the expert facilitator-led sessions, prominent guest speakers and DEI leaders from various industry and academic contexts will share personal stories, practical strategies, and ways they promote individual and collective action. This fall, our expert facilitator is Jordan West, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement at George Washington University (Links to an external site.). Prior to joining GW, Dr. West was the Inaugural Senior Diversity & Inclusion Training Specialist at Princeton University where she created an 18-month Certificate Program called the Inclusion & Diversity Certificate Program (I&DCP) for cohorts of staff and faculty, in addition to leading, designing, and facilitating several opportunities for various departments across the campus.

Interdisciplinary discussions, reflection, community building, an individual action plan, and immersive experiences are integral components of this learning cohort experience. Graduate students who wish to pursue the option of a co-curricular certificate of completion attend the required sessions, complete pre-readings, submit pre-and post-session reflections on the Canvas Learning Management system, and create an individual inclusive leadership action plan. Funded fellowships focused on the topic of DEI on or off-campus are also available for graduate students within the cohort who wish to gain additional experience. Dr. West will also offer 1:1 consultations with graduate students registered in the learning cohort to support your individual development as an inclusive leader and provide feedback as you develop your action plans.

This session will feature guest speakers Shawn Maxam and Rodney Priestley.