Posted: July 6, 2017Written by: Lauren Milbourne

Tags: 2017, featured, press release

Effective partnerships between businesses, schools, and community agencies are critical to ensuring diversity and equity efforts are fostered, cultivated and sustained within San Luis Obispo County. Cuesta College is responding to this need by holding a community forum on August 17 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. titled Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Strategies for Business and Education on the San Luis Obispo Campus in the Cultural and Performing Arts Center. Geared toward those in the community involved in business and education, the event will provide an opportunity to discuss strategies addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Our goal is to build an inclusive culture that fosters the respect for diversity and equity for under-represented groups,” said Cuesta College Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Deborah Wulff.

“We are bringing to campus and the community two individuals key to advancing the conversation on equity and diversity. Attendees can expect a conversation about the challenges and opportunities involved with embracing diversity in our local community.”

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Understand racial micro aggressions and unconscious bias in educational and community settings
  • Recognize the ways in which racial micro aggressions and unconscious bias often lead to disparities in education and workplace outcomes
  • Recognize the benefits of sustaining a diverse workforce

About the presenters:

  • J. Luke Wood, PhD

Dr. Wood is an associate professor of community college leadership and the director of the Doctoral Program in Community College Leadership at San Diego State University. Dr. Wood is also the chair-elect for the Council on Ethnic Participation for the Association of the Study of Higher Education, director of the Center for African American Research and Policy, and co-editor of the Journal of Applied Research in the Community College.

  • Frank Harris III, EdD

Dr. Harris is an associate professor of postsecondary education at San Diego State University. His research broadly focuses on student development and student success in postsecondary education and explores questions related to the social construction of the gender race on college campuses, college men and masculinities, and racial and ethnic disparities in college student outcomes.

The event also includes a free on-line certificate training program to all attendees working in local K-12 schools on teaching strategies to best support boys and young men of color through the Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement (CORA).  

The panel discussion is free to the public. A reception with refreshments will precede the event from 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. To register, visit advancingdiversity.eventbrite.com. For questions, please call (805) 546-3100, ext. 2323.