2020 Conference Sessions

Equity and Inclusion in Writing: Accessible Design for Digital Content 

Presented by: Michele Bromley (She/Her) & Sharon Helms (She/Her), Portland State University

In order to facilitate inclusive professional and academic spaces where every individual has equitable access to information, digital content must be designed with accessibility in mind. Regrettably, a significant amount of digital content generated by those working in higher education is inaccessible to people with disabilities who use adaptive technology. This presentation will outline digital accessibility basics and leave attendees with tools and resources to begin authoring content that is accessible to all users.

 

How do Non-Binary People fit within a Womxn's Organization?

Presented by: Cath Busha (They/Them) Clark College

OWHE's mission is to "facilitate meaningful connection, personal growth, professional advancement, and systemic change for all Oregon women in higher education." How does OWHE maintain its vital focus while expanding to include people who identify as Non-Binary? This session will cover Non-Binary 101; then, we will provide a facilitated space for conversation on how OWHE and other gender-based groups can ensure inclusion of Non-Binary people.

 

Autism Spectrum in Higher Education: Making the Most of Communication

Presented by: Tay McEdwards (He/Him) & Earlee Kerekes-Mishra (She/Her/Hers), Oregon State University

In the U.S., Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) impacts an estimated 1 in every 59 children and approximately 90% of individuals with Autism are unemployed or underemployed. We will focus on one of the main barriers impacting individuals with ASD, communication. Together we’ll journey within to explore our own preferred communication style and examine how this influences our interactions. The goals of this session are to expand your toolkit for effective communication to improve performance of individuals on the spectrum and learn how to create inclusive environments in higher education for people experiencing ASD.

 

Portfolio Bootcamp: Getting your résumé/CV/Educator's Portfolio into shape!

Presented by: Becky Tuttle (She/Her) & Kim Regner (She/Her) OHSU, Portland VA Medical Center

Keeping your CV in tip-top shape can be difficult work. Join us for a community-building exercise in professional development. Even if you are not planning a big career move, it is essential to keep your résumé strong and lean. Bring your current CV/résumé to this workshop, and by the end of the hour, it will be packing a more powerful punch! We will have a crash course in developing your Educator's Portfolio- a helpful document for educational and professional advancement. After sharing tips and inspiration, we will be each other's personal trainers through individualized peer-driven feedback.

 

Getting Unstuck: Uncover and Overcome Barriers to Change

Presented by: Heather Roberts (She/Her/Hers), Oregon State University

This session explores why change is difficult and exposes participants to a systematic approach to implementing desired changes in their lives. It is meant to address the situations where someone knows what they want to do, yet are not doing it. Based on Dr. Sasha Haines' work, we will dig into what really holds us back, which might be a false limiting belief operating outside of conscious awareness. Participants will gain an understanding of how intersectional identities can result in different beliefs and how to override beliefs resulting from internalized oppression to achieve their desired outcomes.

 

White Fragility is Real

Traci Boyle Galestiantz (She/Her) & Terrie Quinteros (She/Her), Portland Community College 

This session will be an introductory conversation about the work of Dr. Robin DiAngelo, as well as Ibram x Kendi and Joy Degruy, on White Fragility and how it operates Oregon's colleges and universities. Diversity trainings are now standard practice at most educational institutions across the country and yet our racism and racist practices are as present as ever. We need to look deeper at the barriers that continue to make places of education a hostile environment for many students of color. How does the defensiveness and entitlement of white people overshadow the teachings of our colleagues doing equity and inclusion work?

 

A Collaborative Approach to More Useful and Equitable Evaluations

Presented by: Melissa Anderson (She/Her), Kristin Hocevar (She/Her) & Donna Lane (She/Her), Southern Oregon University

Research has shown that evaluations—of teaching, job performance, or customer service—can be prone to significant bias which has particularly negative effects on the progress and promotion of women and individuals from underrepresented groups. Our presentation is an interactive discussion of a collaborative project undertaken at Southern Oregon University to examine and reduce bias in student evaluations of teaching. This project, which involved students, faculty at multiple institutions, and administrators, produced findings and best practices which have implications for a variety of evaluation situations, and demonstrates how different stakeholder groups can work together to improve equity while seeking useful feedback on job performance.

 

Change Management: Improving Program Outcomes for Marginalized Communities

Presented by: Jessica Mole (She/Her) & Liza Dadoly (She/Her), Portland State University

Higher education programming is often in a constant state of transition, which results in many of us working in retroactive survival mode.  In the graduate education environment, this can lead to graduate students from marginalized populations falling through systemic cracks. This session will use Portland State University’s Executive MPA program as a case study. This study focuses on our program’s change management and utilization of limited resources with a particular focus on curriculum, student support services, and interdisciplinary faculty/staff collaboration. Participants will receive ideas on how to implement programmatic change and have time to discuss and reflect on their own experience.

 

Creating a Roadmap for the "Encore" of Your Professional Life

Presented by: JoAnne Bunnage (She/Her), Joy Jorgensen (She/Her/Hers), Susan Emerson (She/Her/Hers), Oregon State University & Karen Barnack, Portland State University 

Women approaching the end of their careers have made valuable contributions, yet they often feel frustrated, as if their experiences are no longer valued. Issues such as health and healthcare costs, caring for family members, and lack of institutional support may contribute to feelings of uncertainty. The goals of this session are to identity how ageism affects self-esteem and work culture; explore ways to contribute to positive systematic change; and affirm colleagues where they are in their professional lives. Through interactive exercises and group discussions, we will also explore strategies to take stock and prepare for the journey ahead.