Professional Development Day
Date: April 6, 2023
Theme: "Listen, Learn, Lead: Building our Toolbox for a More Inclusive Campus"
Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the day to come together as a community to learn, grow and elevate our collective efforts in supporting and serving students and advancing the college’s mission. A variety of informative and thought-provoking sessions are being offered related to this year's theme, "Listen, Learn, Lead: Building our Toolbox for a More Inclusive Campus."
There are no scheduled classes and offices are closed on Professional Development Day.
8-8:45 a.m.
Pre-Session Activities
Kick off this year's Professional Development Day with morning trivia!
8:45-9 a.m.
Break
9-10:15 a.m.
Session 1
Welcome and Keynote
Dr. Jen Fry. Dr. Fry is a Sports Geographer, tech founder and sought-after speaker
and educator. She owns JenFry Talks, a social justice education firm that explores the intersection of conflict and DEI.
"Listen, Learn, Lead: Building our Toolbox for a More Inclusive Campus," the theme of this year's Professional Development Day, is a powerful phrase that speaks to the ongoing need for individuals and organizations to engage in meaningful dialogue and action to address the pervasive issue of systemic racism. However, listening, learning, and leading without action--hard, uncomfortable action--means we won't change the system in the ways we want and need to. If ending systemic racism matters to you, you must have the capacity and skill to manage conflict. Sweeping conflict and the hard stuff under the rug creates a culture that values niceness over kindness, silence over accountability and a fear over doing the right thing. It is important to recognize that the work of dismantling systemic racism is ongoing and requires a sustained effort. It can be uncomfortable and challenging, but it is necessary for creating a more just and equitable society and Harper College.
Read more about Dr. Fry: Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is sports geographer, tech founder and sought-after speaker
and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, a social justice education firm that explores
the intersection of conflict and DEI. Jen facilitates conversation and skill-building
with organizations, leadership and C-suite groups, small and large teams, affinity
groups, and more. She advises on best practices that create more equitable organizations,
communities, and teams, where each person feels a sense of belonging.
Jen is a veteran volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching at the
collegiate level. She received her PhD in Sports Geography from Michigan State University
(GO GREEN!) and is currently moving her group travel app, Coordle, to market. Coordle
creates a seamless, inclusive travel experience by providing a central app for you
to manage all your group travel real time information, communication, logistics, and
decision making.
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Break
Session 2 (choose one 50- or 75-minute session)
Harper College has taken the important step of collecting students' preferred names and pronouns. Now comes the important step of utilizing that information inside and outside of the classroom. SAFE (Staff, Administrators and Faculty for Equity) ERG members Sean Warren-Crouch and Joe Scrima will demonstrate how to access this information and explain how you can use this information in your role at Harper College.
Presenter: Joe Scrima and Sean Warren-Crouch
This course will provide information on the history of trauma and racism, trauma symptoms, triggers and how to care for yourself while dealing with these issues. Participants will explore the different sources and types of trauma. After attending this seminar, you will have the tools you need to set healthy boundaries in order to maintain optimal self-care.
Presenter: Workplace Solutions, Harper's employee assistance program
Did you know PDFs can have often have text that can't be accessed by a screen reader, or can have sections that are read aloud in an illogical order? With potentially large file sizes and inflexible layouts, PDFs can also present other barriers for mobile users, those on limited data plans, or access to printers. We'll go through some of the challenges that PDFs pose to effective communication, how to resolve them, and what alternatives are available.
Presenter: Patrick Kelly
When we think about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion several examples spring to mind surrounding disparity treatment of marginalized groups, often focused on gender, race and socioeconomic status. But when we think about Disability often the mind goes to perceived lack: impairment, handicapped, defective, challenged, or abnormal to name a few. When considered through the lens of ableism, discrimination based on a person’s ability, Disability clearly becomes an issue of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this workshop we will examine captioning and interpreting services as a charge of DEI best practices instead of ADA compliance.
Presenter: Sara Lucas
What do the Brooklyn Dodgers have to do with creating a more accessible classroom environment for all students? In this session, we’ll begin by taking a look at what we as educators can learn from the life and legacy of legendary Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella. Campy’s work as a civil rights and disability rights advocate will serve as a starting point for a conversation about the effects of ableism on our students. What can we do as educators to follow the inclusive example of figures like Campanella and Jackie Robinson as we seek to support the diverse range of students we serve? Join Harper faculty, ADS staff, and ADS advisors as we discuss and reflect on case studies that address issues of class, race, and disability in the classroom.
Presenters: Dr. Brian Cremins, Karega Cooper, Katie Garcia, Maggie Geppert, Michael Harkins, Nellie Khalil, April Maman, Paul Peterson, Rebecca Ramirez-Malagon, Anita Rehberg
Dr. Ali will focus on the neoliberalization of higher education in recent times which is largely being debated globally. The impact is believed to be deep and long lasting as universities and colleges emphasize the efficiency of workers and performance-based outcomes. In the United States, government cuts on university/college funding, student debt, decreased raises in salary, fewer staff has been debated while administrative salaries, athletic spending and campus beautification projects are believed to have escalated. She will also discuss the reforms introduced in Pakistani universities and their impact. Drawing from her own research on gender in higher education, she will argue that this process of securitization has further marginalized women in higher education. Women encounter challenges at the time of selection and while striving for their promotions in universities. Women are also excluded from positions of power and those who can make it to leadership positions are unable to sustain on such positions due to dirty politics and harassment. Finally, Dr. Ali will highlight the inclusion of students and their role in university politics.
Presenter: Dr. Rabia Ali, Fulbright Scholar in Residence
Learn about terms, research and resources related to historical education debt and equity gaps in the Chicagoland area with David Stovall, a professor of Criminology, Law, and Justice from UIC who will share scholarship on the intersection of race, place, and school hosted by the Teaching for Equity Community of Practice.
Presenter: David Stovall
This workshop will explore the intersecting themes of identity, equity, justice, trauma and resiliency. Rudy Bankston will share aspects of his experiences as a survivor of the school-to-prison pipeline and the ways it helps to shape his work today. He will also discuss how the restorative justice framework can help support healing spaces, healthy relationships, and just and equitable environments.
Presenter: Rudy Bankston, Educator, Author & Practitioner of Restorative Justice
In today’s social and political climate, the principles of diversity and inclusion
and freedom of expression often seem to conflict—especially on college campuses. But
do they have to?
This session will provide an in-depth look at the Constitutional framework governing
speech and expression on campus, with a focus on examining ways in which colleges
and their employees can reinforce campus values of diversity and inclusion while simultaneously
recognizing and affirming individuals’ First Amendment right to free speech. Through
a series of hypothetical scenarios, the session will offer practical guidance on actions
that colleges and their employees can take in response to conflicts involving expressive
activity, both within and outside the classroom. Finally, the session will conclude
with a Q&A segment for attendees to solicit feedback regarding free speech issues
they may experience in their particular roles.
Presenters: Emily Bothfeld and Frank Garrett
It's time for you to complete the college's annual online courses:
- Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response for Employees in Illinois; this course is required each year. (English) (Spanish)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Online Training (username is Harper email address)
Or use this time to check out LinkedIn Learning, TED Talks or anything else you've been wanting to work on!
Lunch Session - Campus Conversations: Equity Dialogue Series
The Equity Dialogues series is part of our broader Campus Conversations. The purpose of the series is to afford faculty and staff a space to have meaningful conversations regarding integrating equity into our work. The next session in the series is “Why is racial equity particularly important?” Lunch is included.
Facilitated by Harper faculty and staff
Lunch Break
Session 3 (choose one 50- or 75-minute session)
There is no “one size fits all” for Self-Care. In this seminar, we look at the history and hurdles of Self-Care within the BIPOC communities from accessibility to vulnerability. We will speak toward the extra layers that BIPOC communities face that can deprive energy and focus on prioritizing yourself and your personal needs.
Presenter: Workplace Solutions
This sessions will also be streaming in W201.
Did you know PDFs can have often have text that can't be accessed by a screen reader, or can have sections that are read aloud in an illogical order? With potentially large file sizes and inflexible layouts, PDFs can also present other barriers for mobile users, those on limited data plans, or access to printers. We'll go through some of the challenges that PDFs pose to effective communication, how to resolve them, and what alternatives are available.
Presenter: Patrick Kelly
This session will also be streaming in W219.
Learn how the Harper district is part of the relocation of refugees and immigrants responding to the geopolitical shifts and migration caused by war, violence, economic challenges, and political upheaval. Learn what Harper College can provide and how you can get involved, as you welcome these heroic community newcomers to our campus.
Presenter: Andrea Fiebig
When we think about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion several examples spring to mind surrounding disparity treatment of marginalized groups, often focused on gender, race and socioeconomic status. But when we think about Disability often the mind goes to perceived lack: impairment, handicapped, defective, challenged, or abnormal to name a few. When considered through the lens of ableism, discrimination based on a person’s ability, Disability clearly becomes an issue of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this workshop we will examine captioning and interpreting services as a charge of DEI best practices instead of ADA compliance.
Presenter: Sara Lucas
What do the Brooklyn Dodgers have to do with creating a more accessible classroom environment for all students? In this session, we’ll begin by taking a look at what we as educators can learn from the life and legacy of legendary Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella. Campy’s work as a civil rights and disability rights advocate will serve as a starting point for a conversation about the effects of ableism on our students. What can we do as educators to follow the inclusive example of figures like Campanella and Jackie Robinson as we seek to support the diverse range of students we serve? Join Harper faculty, ADS staff, and ADS advisors as we discuss and reflect on case studies that address issues of class, race, and disability in the classroom.
Presenters: Presenters: Dr. Brian Cremins, Karega Cooper, Katie Garcia, Maggie Geppert, Michael Harkins, Nellie Khalil, April Maman, Paul Peterson, Rebecca Ramirez-Malagon, Anita Rehberg
Dr. Ali will focus on the neoliberalization of higher education in recent times which is largely being debated globally. The impact is believed to be deep and long lasting as universities and colleges emphasize the efficiency of workers and performance-based outcomes. In the United States, government cuts on university/college funding, student debt, decreased raises in salary, fewer staff has been debated while administrative salaries, athletic spending and campus beautification projects are believed to have escalated. She will also discuss the reforms introduced in Pakistani universities and their impact. Drawing from her own research on gender in higher education, she will argue that this process of securitization has further marginalized women in higher education. Women encounter challenges at the time of selection and while striving for their promotions in universities. Women are also excluded from positions of power and those who can make it to leadership positions are unable to sustain on such positions due to dirty politics and harassment. Finally, Dr. Ali will highlight the inclusion of students and their role in university politics.
Presenter: Dr. Rabia Ali, Fulbright Scholar in Residence
The session will also be streaming in W216.
This workshop will explore the intersecting themes of identity, equity, justice, trauma and resiliency. Rudy Bankston will share aspects of his experiences as a survivor of the school-to-prison pipeline and the ways it helps to shape his work today. He will also discuss how the restorative justice framework can help support healing spaces, healthy relationships, and just and equitable environments.
Presenter: Rudy Bankston, Educator, Author & Practitioner of Restorative Justice
It's time for you to complete the college's annual online courses:
- Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response for Employees in Illinois; this course is required each year. (English) (Spanish)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Online Training (username is Harper email address)
Or use this time to check out LinkedIn Learning, TED Talks or anything else you've been wanting to work on!
Session 4 (choose one)
It's time for you to complete the college's annual online courses:
- Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response for Employees in Illinois; this course is required each year. (English) (Spanish)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Online Training (username is Harper email address)
Or use this time to check out LinkedIn Learning, TED Talks or anything else you've been wanting to work on!