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Event features award-winning panelists with experience in racial justice and organizational management

SM������ is pleased to announce it will be holding the newest webinar in its Educational Equity Webinar Series, titled “Building a Culture of DEIB: Is it in Your Organization’s DNA?” on January 18, 2024, at 11:00am AZT. The event is part of a public series intended for educators, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practitioners, higher education leaders and administrators, employers, nonprofit organizations, government affiliates, and SM������ faculty, staff, students, and alumni across the globe.

"As an institution committed to fostering educational equity and meaningful diversity initiatives, we are proud to bring together these esteemed thought leaders to share their insights and strategies for transforming DEIB initiatives into a fundamental part of organizational DNA," shares Tondra Richardson, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion at SM������, and a host of the series. “We look forward to welcoming our panelists and creating a space where meaningful conversations lead to actionable steps, helping to drive positive change within workplaces and communities alike."

The event will be moderated by Kent Blumberg, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, a faculty member and national account manager at the SM������ with extensive experience in employee resource groups, academic and campus leadership. Dr. Blumberg shared his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “As we enter a new year, let’s resolve to make DEIB more than just activities we attend, books we read and things we say. Let’s make DEIB the way we work and live, the air we breathe, and the DNA that drives our corporate cultures. Doctors White and Castillo will help us see how to do just that.”

The webinar will feature a panel of thought leaders, each offering their perspectives on fostering a culture where DEI is ingrained in the fabric of an organization.

Panelists include:

·������������ Dr. Nika White: A distinguished SM������ alumna, Dr. White is an international authority and fearless amplifier of all things DEI. As an award-winning management and leadership consultant, keynote speaker, , and executive practitioner, Dr. White has been recognized by Forbes as a “Top 10 D&I Trailblazer.”

·������������ Dr. Eric Castillo: A second-generation Xicano from Yanaguana/San Antonio, Tejas, Dr. Castillo is a social justice practitioner and scholar dedicated to creating a just, compassionate, and liberated world. He recently co-authored , and his expertise includes community organizing, immigration, education equity and racial justice.[TR3]

The discussion will be hosted by Tondra Richardson, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion and Saray Lopez, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion, both with the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) at SM������. The Educational Equity Webinar Series is part of a series of events with which the OEE engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café.

Previous webinars can be accessed here.

About SM������

SM������ innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.��For more information, visit phoenix.edu.��

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