Touching on topics such as best practices for teaching students of poverty and a somatic approach to embracing diversity, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host its fourth annual Diversity Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, on the SFA campus.
“Our theme has changed to ‘Embracing Diversity: Are We Really Listening?’” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “Many times, we fail to listen to other’s perspectives. During this year’s conference, we really want to challenge participants to actively listen to each other in order to grow personally and professionally.”
SFA faculty and staff members and students will offer 15 presentations on topics ranging from social issues, multiculturalism, religion, gender identity and more. SFA jazz band students will perform during lunch.
In previous years, the conference has been held on a Saturday. It was moved to a Friday this year to encourage and accommodate more participants.
“The Diversity Conference seeks to provide a platform for presenters to share their diversity-related work with conference attendees and engage in vital multicultural dialogue,” Beavers explained. “It is hosted by OMA, and the OMA Caucus, which comprises SFA faculty and staff members from many different departments, helps plan and coordinate the event.”
This year’s presenters are predominantly from the SFA campus and Nacogdoches communities. Attendees, however, come from all around Texas.
“We also have our second annual Diversity Museum during the conference,” Beavers said. “We are currently accepting submissions for this museum. We also offer continuing education units for the conference through the School of Social Work. Everyone can gain something by attending the conference.”
Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. To guarantee a lunch, preregister by Friday, Feb. 2. The public and campus community are invited, and the conference is free to attend.
For more information, to register or to apply for the Diversity Museum, visit sfasu.edu/multicultural/190.asp.
By Christine Broussard, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
