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Webinar On Demand

Having Constructive Classroom Conversations in Challenging Times

In an era where educators and institutions are striving to create a sense of belonging for all students, it is critical that we create space for constructive conversations, even if the topics are deemed challenging.

Join our expert panel as they share proven strategies for fostering constructive conversations in the classroom. Learn how to create an environment where every student feels comfortable engaging and discover effective ways to manage communication, responses, and emotional triggers during challenging discussions.

During this webinar, you will learn to:

  • Facilitate constructive conversations in the classroom when addressing challenging topics.
  • Create an inclusive environment where all students feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and engaging in discussions.
  • Implement effective strategies for managing communication, responses, and emotional triggers.

Meet the Panel

Picture of Host: Adam Smith
Host: Adam Smith

Nationally Recognized Higher Education Expert

Host: Adam Smith

Adam A. Smith is a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated his almost three-decade career to ensuring college access and success for all Americans.

He served as the founding Director of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Rock Valley College and later as the college’s Dean of Students. He taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, and was appointed to serve as the City of Rockford’s (IL) “Education Czar” to former mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey.

Adam worked at Metropolitan State University as Director of Multicultural, American Indian and Retention Services, The University of Alabama as Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising and Student Success and at The University of Akron as Assistant Vice President of Student Success.

He also has undergraduate admissions experience from his time at The University of Tennessee. Smith currently works at the University of Kentucky as Executive Director for University Academic Advising and has a vibrant public speaking and educational consulting firm, Smith Education Associates, LLC and is the host of The Get Uncomfortable podcast and is represented by the Institute of Democratic Education & Culture, “SpeakOut”, the nation’s only social justice speaker agency. Adam has built successful coalitions and initiatives that have transformed high school graduation rates, college enrollment and success for students throughout the nation.

Bio
Picture of Timothy Berry, EdD
Timothy Berry, EdD

Professor of Educational Leadership
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Panelist: Timothy Berry, EdD

Timothy Berry is a Professor of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato.  He has also served as Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Equity Initiatives at Minnesota and as dean for the School of Urban Education at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN.

In addition to his Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, he holds a Master of Music Education degree with an emphasis in multicultural music from The University of Minnesota. His publications and creative research accomplishments include interdisciplinary K-12 curriculum, articles and book chapters on teacher education, multisensory communication, and an original theatrical production on healing Black bodies from racial trauma that has played to regional and national audiences. Frequently, he is invited to speak in schools, universities, conferences, businesses, and churches to share his insights and research surrounding race literacy, healing, organizational transformation, and antiracism.

Dr. Berry has received several awards as a composer and writer including  7 national awards in 2023 from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his spoken word play,Wounded Healers; the Live Music for Dance award from the American Composer’s Forum; the MN State Arts Board Cultural Community Partnership Grant; and the Essentially Choral Competition Award for emerging American composers sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum. He has composed commissioned works for dance, choirs, and church groups. 

Dr. Berry has performed nationally as a singer, actor, and percussionist, including in August Wilson’s Fences, Black Nativity with Penumbra Theater, and La Boheme with the Minnesota Opera.  He has also performed with Grammy Award winner Larnelle Harris. He has recorded music on a variety of CDs, from gospel to Caribbean, including his Soul Drums series, which stems from West African, Caribbean, and African American music traditions.

Bio
Picture of Teresa A. Nance, PhD
Teresa A. Nance, PhD

Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer
Villanova University

Panelist: Teresa A. Nance, PhD

Teresa Nance, PhD currently serves as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer and as a Professor of Communication. In this role, she is leading the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Her career spans more than four decades, during which time she has served as an administrator, teacher, scholar, activist and ‘support system’ for students, faculty,and staff at the University. In 2018, The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education recognized Dr. Nance with the Frank W. Hale, Jr. Distinguished Service Award – an honor given to individuals who have “contributed substantially to diversity and inclusive excellence in higher education.”

Dr. Nance was the first Black tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Communication at Villanova, where she established an African American rhetoric course and created the highly sought-after multicultural leadership course. As a researcher, Dr. Nance has investigated the perceptions and stages of interracial relationship development, diversity and inclusion, and intergroup dialogue. She was the founding Assistant Vice President for the Center for Multicultural Affairs. In 2015—to further elevate the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion—Villanova created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion making Dr. Nance its founding director and naming her named Associate Vice Provost of Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer.

Led by Dr. Nance, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) supports Villanova’s continuing efforts to create a welcoming and diverse community at all levels, including students, faculty, administrators, and staff. The office works with academic, administrative, and other units of the University to develop strategies aimed at fostering a Villanova community where individual differences are acknowledged and appreciated.  Most recently Dr. Nance led the Aequitas Task Force on Race at the University.  The Task Force which involved over 100 Villanovans examined all aspects of university life as a means of striving toward assuring equity and justice for all.

Dr. Nance received a Bachelor and Master’s degree from Emerson College in Boston and a Ph.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia.   Terry currently lives in Center City Philadelphiawith her husband Kermit Moore, a retired Communication professor.  They have two wonderful grown sons named Christian and Jesse.

Bio
Picture of Zack Ritter, PhD
Zack Ritter, PhD

Lecturer
UCLA and Cal State Dominguez Hills

Panelist: Zack Ritter, PhD

Dr. Zack Ritter has spent more than 16 years in higher education across Southern California with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusivity. He is currently a Lecturer at UCLA and Cal State Dominguez Hills, teaching courses on Equity in Higher Education and Civic Engagement Service Learning Capstone courses. He was Associate Dean of Students at CSU-Dominguez Hills, helping run the Office of Community Standards restorative justice department and Basic Needs housing and food insecurity program.

He was also the Associate Dean of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd College and University of Redlands. He also was Vice President of Leadership Development at the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and Vice President of Advancement at Jewish World Watch. He has co-edited three books, including Whiteness, Power, and Resistance to Change in Higher Education and Emancipatory Change in Higher Education.

He also runs a consulting business with Marium Mohiuddin called Isma-Shema Consulting, focusing on Islamophobia and antisemitism in the workplace. Dr. Ritter received his PhD from UCLA, focusing on East Asian international students, racial stereotypes, and American media promulgation of globalized race/class/gender hierarchies.

Bio

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