Across the Divide Conference

2023 Conference Details

In the '23-'24 academic year, in place of our Across the Divide Conference, Miami University, Kent State University, and Ohio University joined forces to form a collaborative conference: Reimagining the Academy: Building Communities for Access and Transformational Change. Previously, each university held an annual conference on topics related to inclusive excellence. This new alliance will allow the universities to come together for one conference that will share expertise and leverage their strengths.

The Across the Divide Conference is an opportunity for campus community members to engage in conversations about our inclusive excellence approach at Miami University, with a goal to promote a deeper community understanding of the key issues and ensure all campus stakeholders are engaged across the institution. The theme for the 2023 conference was “Leading Through Innovation and Creativity for Transformative Inclusion.” This theme allowed us to explore our innovative spirit and creative outlets as forums for effective positive change in our community and celebrating our diverse perspectives.

Our keynote address was made by Ron Crutcher, Miami's first African American Provost, University of Richmond President, and Miami alum, and his speech was titled - I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership’.

The 4th Annual Across the Divide Conference was held Friday, March 31, 2023, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center (915 E. Withrow St., Oxford, OH 45056).

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Ronald Crutcher giving his keynote address

Presenter discussing a powerpoint with attendees

Participants engaging in a writing activity

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher

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Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, a national leader in higher education and a distinguished classical musician, was the President of the University of Richmond from 2015-2021. Dr. Crutcher is also President Emeritus of Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Prior to Wheaton, he was Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Miami University of Ohio. In August 2021, he was named a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

Dr. Crutcher writes and speaks widely on the value of liberal education, the democratic purposes of higher education, diversity and inclusion, and free expression on college campuses. He is Immediate Past Chair of the Board of the American Council on Education (ACE), a Senator of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, a member of the Board of Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad), and a member of the Board of Governors of Bard College Berlin. For the University of Richmond, he serves as a board member of the Jepson Scholars Foundation and the Spider Management Company. He previously served on the boards of the Posse Foundation, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), the Fulbright Association, and he was Chair of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts. His thematic memoir, I Had No Idea You Were Black: Navigating Race on the Road to Leadership, was published in February 2021.

Featured Presenters

Harold Green III

The Ode as Self Portrait

Award-winning poet, storyteller and performer, Harold Green III, specializes in making poetry an accessible art form for all. Harold will share some of the poems from his latest books, and help you create a poetic tribute to yourself or someone else.

Harold’s two books of ode-style poems Black Roses and Black Oak were recently published by Harper Collins.

In Black Roses Harold pays tribute to all Black women by focusing on visionaries and leaders who are making history right now, including Ava DuVernay, Janelle Monae, Kamala Harris, Misty Copeland, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Robin Roberts, Roxane Gay, and Simone Biles.

As he did for Black women in Black Roses, Harold Green III, poet and founder of the music collective Flowers for the Living, now honors the Black men he most admires—groundbreakers including Tyler Perry, Barry Jenkins, Billy Porter, Chance the Rapper, LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and John Legend—and celebrates their achievements which are transforming lives.

Hear Harold perform his own moving works and inspire you to create your own in this exciting workshop.

Shariffa Ali & Jono Gasparro

Radical Hospitality Workshop

Join visiting artists Shariffa Ali and Jono Gasparro in this interactive workshop that will help us all build relationships, spread joy and create stronger communities.

The Radical Hospitality workshop was created with Shariffa Ali, the Creative Director of the Electric Root Festival. One of the central pedagogies of the Festival is the idea of Radical Hospitality, which underscores the importance of human connection, making everyone feel like a VIP and getting to know each other on a deeper level. The Radical Hospitality workshop encourages people to participate in meaningful conversations about their origin stories, why they chose Miami as a place of employment or study, and how they want to leave an impact on the world.

Michael Mwenso

Ancestral Communal Listening

Black roots music contains windows to the Black experience. Gain a deeper understanding with musician and educator Michael Mwenso as he shares the powerful gifts buried within Black roots music. It embodies the spirit and memory of a people who weave together traditions of the African diaspora with expressions in the United States, the Americas, and beyond.

In this joyful and immersive gathering, Mwenso will create a sense of community and connection as he guides us through this communal listening experience of music recorded by some of the greatest artists of all time. Mwenso invites us to come together and re-center through the collective healing, love and nourishing uplift that is embedded in Black roots music.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, March 30th

Cesar Chavez Day 2023: Leading Through Innovation and Creativity for Transformative Inclusion

Event 1: Words are also migrants: poetry as a translation of silence

A creative writing workshop led by Manuel Iris
3 - 4 p.m. | Shideler Hall, 032
In this workshop, participants will discuss writing as a form of translating the silences of the human experience into words. The poet is a migrant of the human experience, a translator of silences. Keeping the dignity of the stories we share and hear is part of the poetic work. Migration, translation, and creativity are the central themes of this workshop. RSVP required - limited seats available.

Event 2: I am from here: a dialogue on migration, humanity, and poetics

Lecture and Poetry Reading by Manuel Iris
5 - 6 p.m. | Lecture and Poetry Reading (McGuffey Hall 322)
6 p.m. | Book signing (McGuffey Hall 322)
During this presentation, Manuel Iris will talk about his writing process and the development of his identity as a migrant poet in the US. He will read poems, in English and Spanish, to illustrate the link between life and poetics. After the presentation, he will engage in a conversation with the audience.

Friday, March 31st

8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Welcome (Optional Breakfast)
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Concurrent Sessions I
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Concurrent Sessions II
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch and Resource Fair- Lunch will be provided for registered attendees
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Concurrent Sessions III
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Concurrent Sessions IV
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Keynote Address (Farmer School of Business, Taylor Auditorium)
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Closing Reception (sponsored by Alumni Relations)

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion would also like to give a special thank you to our sponsor, The Marcum Hotel and Conference Center for their generous support of this event by providing us the spaces necessary to make this conference a seamless and exceptional experience for the Miami community.

Session Types

Presentation | 40-45 min talk with a 5-10 min Q&A (50 mins)
Round table | 45-50 mins group discussion about a DEI topic (50 mins)
Interactive Workshop | 35-40 min presentation with a 10-15 Q&A to discuss strategies, approaches, programs, etc. that support DEI efforts
Panel | 3 to 5 individuals speaking on a DEI topic (50 mins)
Poster Presentation | a large poster with research and/or creative project
Extended Session | 2 hr session that focuses on capacity-building and dialogue

Concurrent Sessions I and II

Concurrent Session I

Development of Intercultural Consciousness through UNESCO Story Circles: Experiences from Global Initiatives

Interactive Workshop

In the session, participants will get an introduction of Story Circles and how they’ve been used around the world as a structured, yet flexible methodology for developing intercultural competencies in a variety of contexts, including higher education. After participants have a chance to participate in a story circle, we’ll debrief the experience as a large group, facilitate questions and discuss application of the exercise for the participants. Additionally, we’ll highlight other intercultural initiatives our unit has championed that may be of interest and share the manual for Story Circles should attendees want to implement the practice on their own.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Suicide Prevention training

Extended Session (Session I & II)

Just as CPR helps anyone save a life in a medical emergency, QPR is a simple educational program that teaches ordinary citizens how to recognize a mental health emergency and get a person at-risk the help they need.

In these trainings, certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructors teach the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide: Question, Persuade, and Refer. This session will have a particular focus on supporting LGBTQ+ populations and resources connected to this community will be provided.

Inclusive Communications and Multicultural Marketing.

Presentation

The Inclusive Communications and Multicultural Marketing Presentation is a workshop designed for higher education communities who want to understand and apply best-in-class diversity-driven communications. By attending this workshop, people will leave with a clear understanding of basic definitions of inclusive communications and multicultural marketing, the differences and commonalities between the two, real-life examples of best-in-class diverse and multicultural marketing, and best practices. Participants will also have time to ask questions at the end.

Collaborative / Inclusive Leadership and the Retention of a Diverse Student Body

Panel

Our panel aims to explore the relationship between collaborative and inclusive leadership and the retention of a diverse student body. We are interested in the current strategies at Miami and how to strengthen collaborative leadership among the faculty, staff and administrators in supporting student success.

Concurrent Session II

Let's Go! Helping Students Get There

Round Table

In the field of international education, learning comes in numerous arenas. Students are not only learning from the academic content in classrooms abroad, but are also learning from and about the host environment. Students learn from current events, national policies in regards to sustainability efforts, national discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion, challenges abroad that impact their own personal development, and also, the logistics of travel. In this presentation, we will discuss the support and orientations available to support first time travelers as they prepare for an experience abroad. We will also discuss the unique social identity resources provided to students to assist in the pre-departure process.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Suicide Prevention training

Extended Session (Session I & II)

César Chávez: A Discussion on his Legacy

Presentation

We will be discussing the life and legacy César Chávez created not only for himself but for those he advocated for. WE will be focusing on three main topics which include the foundation of the National Farm Workers Association which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers labor union, the non-violent movement he led in the mid 1900's that paved the way for better wages and working conditions, as well as the current Farm Workers Modernization Act.

Office of the Dean of Students: Fostering Inclusion through Care, Support, and Advocacy

Presentation

The session will explore the ways the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) operates to offer student care, support, and advocacy through inclusive and capacity building practices. Offerings include programming, consultations, and several lines of service. While responding to student concerns, needs, and crises, the ODOS applies a critical lens to existing policies and procedures making sure to center inclusion. This session will focus on efforts by the ODOS to meet the needs of students and the broader community while integrating student voice, creating restorative practices, and supporting student needs.

Concurrent Sessions III and IV

Concurrent Session III

Inclusive Practices throughout the Hiring Process

Round Table

The university has recently begun requesting Candidate Diversity Statements as part of the faculty job application process and will soon be moving toward inclusion for all staff positions. Additionally, it is recommended that search committees include diversity-related questions during candidate interviews. When the MU Libraries became aware of these new guidelines, we immediately considered how we could best support our search committees in adopting them, and also gave thought to how we could implement more inclusive hiring practices throughout the entire search process. We will host a roundtable discussion to share some of our new practices and learn what other departments are doing or planning to do in response to these instructions. This session aims to discuss what can be done to foster an inclusive search process, above and beyond the minimum requirements.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Suicide Prevention training

Extended Session (Session III & IV)

A New World is Necessary

Extended Session (Session III & IV)

The Robert E. Strippel Memorial Fund for Continuing Dialogue on Justice and Human Rights has over 40 years of experience facilitating critical social justice conversations on and off campus. Lisa Vahey, from Honesty for Ohio Education, will partner with Strippel to lead this interactive workshop.

Group Digital Storytelling: Inviting a Diversity of Voices to the Table

Interactive Workshop

Using one or more short videos we created in collaboration with African American and Black community members discussing high infant mortality rates, we will present the method of collaborative digital storytelling as a process that invites a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, highlighting that it is a method that pushes back against stereotypes. We will conclude by inviting attendees to think about how group digital storytelling might enhance understandings of diversity topics that they find most compelling.

Concurrent Session IV

Radical Hospitality in our Contexts

Interactive Workshop

Participants will be provided with the book chapter, “Radical Hospitality in the Classroom” by Richard Kearney and Melissa Fitzpatrick. The concept of radical hospitality is key to the Electric Root Festival, a community art festival uptown Oxford on April 29, 2023. Its first iteration took place last spring 2022. Introduction to Art Education classes created and facilitated art activities at the festival, for which undergraduate student Reilly Powers experienced. Reilly has since presented about the experience at our state OAEA conference and will present again at our national NAEA conference in April. Our experience in particular will be discussed, but involvement from other students and faculty will be included in the presentation.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Suicide Prevention training

Extended Session (Session III & IV)

A New World is Necessary

Extended Session (Session III & IV)

More than a Trend: The Lived Experience of Neurodiversity on Campus

Round Table

A Roundtable led by faculty and students will provide an open and accessible space for dialogue about Neurodiversity and the multiple lifeworlds of neurodivergent people on campus. All participants are encouraged to participate and contribute to the discussion.

Poster Presentations

Weaponized Femininity and the Marginalization of Women in Opera

Poster Presentation

This project will discuss how canonic operatic composers from Mozart to Menotti utilize weaponized femininity and the marginalization of principally supporting female roles. The compositional styles and techniques of these composers and the poetic text of the librettos will be analyzed to interpret the marginalized status of these women characters and the struggles they encounter. Additionally, modern day societal norms will be used to compare the struggles of these characters to the struggles and political challenges women face today. To illustrate, arias including Ah fuggi, il traditor (from Mozart's Don Giovanni) and To This we've come (from Menotti's The Consul), will be studied, alongside further selections by Gounod's Faust, Smetana's The Bartered Bride. Additionally, full scores of each opera will be used to accompany a viewing of recorded A and B house performances to better understand the compositional techniques and intentions used by the composers. It will be argued that these female characters are, in fact, strong protagonists and not the meek women depicted by the composers and librettists. Donna Elvira, for example, is trapped in an abusive cycle with Don Giovanni. In her aria Ah fuggi, il traditor, she comes to terms with the abusive relationship and works to keep Zerlina safe from Don Giovanni. In Gounod’s Faust, Marguerite sings the haunting aria ‘Il ne revient pas’ (translating to he is not coming back) after Faust’s abandonment of her following the birth of their child. This research can be reflected in modern-day movements such as #MeToo and the powerful reactions to the repeal of Roe v. Wade. As the opera world continues to adjust to modern societal ideologies, this type of research can begin a healthy dialogue addressing the topic of marginalized female characters and marginalized characters as a whole.

A Catalyst for Discovery: Diversity-Focused Resources Available at the Libraries

Poster Presentation

The mission of Miami University Libraries states, “We proactively connect our community with the resources and personalized guidance to empower discovery, creation, and success.” While most individuals across campus know they can turn to the Libraries for book checkouts, research needs, or a quiet place to study, the resources that the Libraries offer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) may be less known. This poster will illuminate some of the key resources available to students, faculty, and staff to help support a more inclusive campus community. This poster will highlight five resources and one best practice.

Building a Good Party: Library Game Nights as a Place to Destress with Campus Partners

Poster Presentation

We began the series in 2017 as a way to bring students a fun and stress-relieving event, as well as a way to help them see the library as a space for them, not only to study, but also gather. Since then, our Library Game Night programming has grown to include collaborations with other campus centers and student organizations, which MU Libraries has capitalized on to expand our engagement. Student partners and attendees have brought inclusive ideas to the series, including a fundraiser for a children's hospital, a game night focused on traditional Mexican games, and the purchase of gaming accessories that accommodate users of all abilities, like card holders. Faculty and staff partnerships have allowed us to hold a Made at Miami orientation event for incoming students from underrepresented populations, and we are looking forward to hosting a game night in the future with the Myaamia Center. Student feedback from our events has emphasized how much they appreciate having a way to decompress from the pressure of school.

Join us to find out how we have successfully leveraged the student organizations and grant funding on our campus to enrich our programming to create an enjoyable and inclusive events series.

Is the Classroom a Safe Space? Perceptions From Faculty and Students

Poster Presentation

A poster summarizing the research completed by Ellison Brenna and Alexa Draper on the perceptions of Miami University Faculty and Students about classes at Miami. The poster summarizes the feelings of students and faculty at Miami and focuses primarily on LGBTQ+ students and the LGBTQ+ experience in Miami University classes. The poster summarizes two surveys. The first survey, asks students about their experiences in Miami University classes and the second survey asks Faculty about the culture of their classes. Finally, the poster includes recommendations for further research and a list of good practices for faculty to include in their classes.

Conference Leadership Team

Conference Co-Chairs

Evan Gates

Economics, Diplomacy and Global Politics, and Poverty Studies, Class of 2024

gatesed@miamioh.edu

Patti Liberatore

Director, Performing Arts Series

Assistant Dean External Relations, College of Creative Arts

patti.liberatore@miamioh.edu

Hongmei Li, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Coordinator of Strategic Communication, College of Arts and Science

lih19@miamioh.edu

Conference Coordinator

Hiram Ramirez, Ph.D.

Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

ramireh2@miamioh.edu

Parking Information

Image is a picture of the campus map with The Marcum Hotel and Conference Center marked with a gold star, the Miami Inn Hall marked with an orange star, and the North Parking Garage marked with a pink star.

Conference attendees can find primary parking in The Marcum Hotel and Conference Center parking lot, marked with a gold star on the map above. Secondary parking can be found at either the Miami Inn Hall lot, marked with an orange star above, or in the North Parking Garage, marked with a pink star above.

For more information about on campus parking, please visit Parking Services.

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Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence

Our mission is to empower each student, staff, and faculty member to promote and become engaged citizens who use their acquired knowledge and skills with integrity and compassion to improve the future of the community and the world.

Contact Us

Dr. M. Cristina Alcalde
Vice President, Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence
Hanna House
513-529-1715
vpDiversity@MiamiOH.edu

2023 Conference Details

2023 Across the Divide Conference Photos