Care, Community, Commitment: Solidarity in Action – Highlights from OFIC’s Virtual Diversity Forum
Listening, learning, and leading were the top “how-to” takeaways from The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC’s) first ever Virtual Diversity Forum. Over 160 members of corporate Ohio, OFIC member campus students, and staff gathered via Zoom for thoughtful conversations on how to commit to caring for ourselves, our communities, and our future.
The forum opened with Keynote Daniel Juday’s timely and powerful presentation on how to respond to the challenges of the pandemic by addressing grief to make room for growth. An esteemed Speaker/Listener/Convener, Daniel posed thought-provoking questions that helped each participant consider how they can address challenges experienced on college campuses, in the workplace, and within their personal lives.
Daniel Juday’s 5-Phase Approach
He provided a 5-phase approach (Ask, Assess, Acknowledge, Act and Advocate) to help participants go from asking questions to being purposeful advocates. “We can create the world we want to live in, but we have to go through a process to acknowledge where we are now, so we can get to the place we want to be,” Daniel’s parting advice to the forum.
Collaborative panel discussions led by OFIC member campus staff, students, and OFIC partner corporations focused on D & I and social justice initiatives in higher education, how to sustain inclusive, safe spaces, and ways to engage the next generation to support their personal and professional success. Hearing from all constituencies – corporations, campus staff, and most importantly students – was a standout successful element of the event. “I love hearing from students,” stated a forum participant and member campus representative. “Student voices are critical to our work (it's why we do what we do). It's always good to be reminded of where we are in student advocacy and hearing their voices is key.”
Corporate panelists stated the significance of asking questions within our communities about diversity. These inquiries help build stronger strategies for celebrating differences and creating more inclusive opportunities. Following these steps are especially important as campuses look to retain students and corporations look to hire them.
Notre Dame College Vision & Voice Content Entry
Next, OFIC’s 2019 Diversity Grant Award recipients, Otterbein University and Notre Dame College, showcased their grant funds in action – plans for an intersectional activism conference at Otterbein, and a vision and voice contest at Notre Dame. OFIC’s Diversity Grants are designed to support successful existing programs or to launch new initiatives around diversity, inclusion, and equity on our member campuses.
The forum concluded with reflections from Diversity Forum committee members who reiterated the importance of action and change, not just solidarity statements. Final thoughts highlighted a positive result of the pandemic – widespread digital access to social justice and inclusion resources like webinars, digital conferences, and panels which would have been previously unavailable. “Given the success of our 2020 online event, we will look to continue incorporating a virtual experience in some way – like hosting creative “group viewing parties” that will encourage extended groups of participants to engage in the event or conversations thereafter,” stated OFIC Diversity Forum Leader and Regional Vice President of Development, Lori Burrows. OFIC looks forward to partnering with corporate Ohio to make future Diversity Forum and Grants possible.
OFIC would like to thank and recognize all the 2020 Virtual Diversity Forum event participants, contributors, and committee members:
John Comerford, Ph.D., President of Otterbein University
Daniel Juday, Speaker/Listener/Convener, Daniel Juday LLC
Danyelle Gregory, Director of Diversity, Access, & Inclusion, Muskingum University
Trinidy Jeter, Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion, Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Denison University
James E. Prysock III, Director, Office of Social Justice & Activism, Otterbein University
Priscilla Hammonds, Assistant Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion and Community Relations, Grange Insurance
Nichole Barnes Marshall, Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, L Brands
Ralph Smithers, Jr., CPCU, API, AIS, Assistant Vice President, Diversity and Community Relations, Encova Insurance
Adrian L. Sullivan, Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Cardinal Health
Karen Ashley, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, AEP
Angela Bretz, VP and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Nationwide
Ragan Savage ’23, Muskingum University
Sammy Cintra ’23, Denison University
Tarma Obeng ’21, Denison University
Henry Quijada ’22, Ohio Dominican University
Morgan Rowan ’21, Walsh University
Dr. Carol Ziegler, SND, Executive Administrative Assistant & Exec Director of the Abrahamic Center, Notre Dame College
Dr. Connie Smith, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, Walsh University
Jalisha Lancaster, Student Development, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Ohio Dominican University
Katie Cahill ’21, Studio Art BFA with graphic design concentration, Otterbein University
Will Elkins, Communications and Social Media Manager, Marketing and Communications, Otterbein University
Willie Franklin, Senior Technology Specialist, Information and Technology Services, Otterbein University
Lori Burrows, Regional Vice President for Development, OFIC
Tacarra Davis, Executive Assistant to the President, OFIC
Brett Fields, Director, Scholarship Services, OFIC
Bill Spiker, President, OFIC
Miss the forum? Watch the on-demand recording.