10/1 - Diversity and Globalization Conference to be Held at The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton will hold its first bi-annual Diversity and Globalization Conference on November 1, 2002. The theme of the conference is "Education for Justice: Developing Strategies to Build a Richly Diverse Community."

The conference, to be held on the university's campus, will feature presentations by corporate and community leaders, health care professionals, service providers and academicians. Presenters will explore the complexities of diversity and its impact on communities, college campuses, corporations and the provision of health care services.

"The University of Scranton is committed to creating a richly diverse community that is welcoming and understanding of people of all cultures," said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president. "This commitment to diversity and globalization is articulated in the university's Strategic Plan and is actualized through major events such as this conference."

The conference is targeted to business and community leaders; diversity and multicultural coordinators; community, human services and rehabilitation counselors; faculty and college/university administrators; human resources professionals; health care service providers and mental health practitioners.

Keynote speaker is the Hon. Monica McGoldrick, Ph.D., director of the Multicultural Family Institute in Highland Park, N.J.; a visiting professor at Fordham University School of Social Service; and professor of clinical psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Dr. McGoldrick is known internationally as a lecturer and an author of many books. She is one of just five people to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Smith College School for Social Work.

Conference Sponsors are AXA Foundation and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium. Co-sponsors are Prudential Financial, Wegman's, The Diversity Coalition and Scranton Tomorrow.

The day-long conference will include a series of workshops on topics ranging from "Creating Inclusive Curriculum and Pedagogues" and "Best Practices for Workforce Equity" to "Cross-cultural Communication in Violence Intervention," "Balancing Work and Home Life" and "Developing Awareness of Diversity."

Presenters will include Edie Trek, education program coordinator, Women's Resource Center; Darrell Grey, director, human resources, Proctor and Gamble; Ignace Conic, vice president, diversity, Prudential; Dr. Ann Harris, director of diversity, Illinois State University; Dr. Martha Wharton, associate vice president, academic affairs and diversity, Loyola College, Maryland; and many more.

The special guest speaker for the awards luncheon will be Caryn McTighe Musil, Ph.D., vice president of diversity, equity & global initiatives of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

The conference will conclude with a networking reception and a jazz concert to be held in the Houlihan-McLean Center at 7:30 p.m.

Registration is required and conference seating is limited. The cost of the conference is $35 per person. The registration fee for University of Scranton faculty and staff is $25 per person. Corporate registrations are available at a cost of $300 for 10 tickets. Registration fees include a pre-conference colloquium, published conference proceedings and materials, continental breakfast, awards luncheon, networking reception and jazz concert.

For information or registration, contact The University of Scranton, Office of Equity and Diversity, (570) 941-6645, or register on-line at www.scranton.edu/diversity.