Diversity Conference Schedule and Registration

Conference Schedule   

8:00 – 8:45 a.m.  Check-in & Morning Refreshments

Outer Reception Area and Grand Ballroom

8:45 – 9:05 a.m.  Welcome & Opening Remarks                

Grand Ballroom

9:15 – 10:30 a.m.  Session 1 – See below for titles and links to descriptions

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Session 2 – See below for titles and links to descriptions

12:00 – 1:45 p.m. Lunch & Keynote Address

Grand Ballroom

Keynote Address: Diversity, Leadership, and the Future of Our America

Kevin Powell - JMU Visiting Scholar, author, poet, and activist

Recognition of Awards

Compass Awards

Woman of Distinction Awards

IDEA Grants

Provost Faculty Diversity Curriculum Grants             

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Session 3 – See below for titles and links to descriptions                                           

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. The Education of Kevin Powell Book Signing & Wrap-up Chat

Grand Ballroom                                                        

Session Topics and Links to Session Descriptions

Sessions will be held in various locations throughout the Festival Center and Rose Library. Click on session title for a description of the session and presenter information.

Session 1: 9:15-10:30 a.m.

Session 2: 10:45-11:45 a.m.

B(l)ack in the Days - SESSION FULL

JMU Taskforce on Inclusion: JMU Community Dialogues

Diversity Through Internationalization: Fulbright, INU, and More

Immigrant Harrisonburg: The Benefits and Challenges of Community-Based Research - SESSION FULL

Providing Equity and Inclusion of International Students

The Outcomes of Youth Film making Project by the US State Department - SESSION FULL

Advancing Education and Awareness about Inclusion through the use of an Adapted Sport Focused Documentary film

Accessible Event Planning at JMU

Class Matters: Social Class and Equity on Campus

Session 3: 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Gen-Next: Highlighting the Needs of First Generation and Low Income College Students - SESSION FULL

Insider-Outsider Dynamics of Inclusion

Adapting the assignment: The infusion of a non-major with alternative assignments

Access to Study Abroad

Accessibility Projects

Building the Capacity for Cultural Competency and Community Transformation - SESSION FULL

Beyond the Binary: Gender Inclusion in the Classroom

Imagining the Future of the College Campus: Considering Accessibility, Inclusion, and Justice using Design Fiction, Scenario Analysis, and Disciplinary Humility

Conference Site Map

For Festival Conference Center floor plan please use the Diversity Conference Site Map (PDF)

Access and Accommodations

Building Accessibility: Both Festival Conference Center and Rose Library are accessible with automatic doors, elevators between floors, and accessible and gender neutral restrooms. For more information on building accessibility please visit their respective pages: Festival Conference Center, Rose Library.

Accessible Parking: Accessible parking is available in D3 lot near Festival (2 van, 8 total accessible spaces) and the Alumni Drive lot adjacent to the Leeolou Alumni Center (1 van, 5 total accessible spaces). If using Alumni Drive lot enter Festival Center via connection in the Leeolou Alumni Center. Proper accessible permits are required, no JMU permit is required. See JMU Campus map for lot locations.

American Sign Language Interpretation will be provided for the keynote and award presentations during lunch.

Dietary: The lunch buffet has been selected to accommodate common dietary restrictions. Items will be clearly labeled to designate made without gluten, vegetarian or vegan. JMU Special events is managed by Aramark. Aramark relies on our vendor’s allergy warnings and listings. Because we operate a commercial kitchen where ingredient substitutions, recipe revisions and cross-contact with allergens is possible, Aramark cannot guarantee that any food item will be completely free of allergens. If medically necessary, meals made without gluten or made without dairy can be prepared and packaged separately. To request for a packaged meal please email Kim Moubray.

Accommodations:  The Diversity Conference Committee has made every effort to ensure the conference is welcoming and accessible for all presenters and attendees to engage fully. To request an accommodation not listed above kindly contact Lisa Hess at least two weeks in advance.  In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.

Keynote Speaker

The Diversity Conference is excited to have Kevin Powell as our keynote speaker.  Kevin is one of the most acclaimed political, cultural, literary and hip-hop voices in America today. As a JMU Visiting Scholar, Kevin’s presence on campus expands the work of our conference goal by providing inclusive education and awareness.

Keynote Address:

Diversity, Leadership, and the Future of Our America

Meet Kevin at 3:00 p.m. for an informal chat and signing of his book The Education of Kevin Powell.

Non-JMU Guests

Please register using the provided registration link on this page. You will be prompted on how to register as a guest on the registration form.

CEUs are available to non-JMU participants who attend ALL three sessions of the conference (0.6 CEUs will be awarded). There is a $25 certificate processing fee payable to JMU. JMU will follow up with you after the conference for processing CEUs.

Campus visitors are directed to park in D3 or D1 Lot (for locations see Campus Map) between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM on March 13.  No parking permits will be necessary. Note that regular enforcement will continue in other parking lots, and guests may receive parking citations if parked in restricted lots. Guests are prohibited from parking in specialty spaces such as Service Vehicle spaces, accessible spaces without proper permit, or expired timed spaces. They are also prohibited from parking in Fire Lanes.

Walk-In Policy

All conference attendees are highly encouraged to register using the link on this page.  Walk-in registration will be allowed starting at 8:00a.m. Session availability cannot be guaranteed.

Inclement Weather Policy

If JMU is closed - Conference will be cancelled.

If JMU opens one hour late - Conference Schedule will be:

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Check-in & Morning Refreshments

9:35 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Session 1

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Session 2

12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch with Keynote Speaker and Award Ceremony

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Session 3

3:00 p.m. – Book signing and Wrap-up Chat

If JMU opens two hours late - Conference Schedule will be:

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Check-in & Morning Refreshments

10:35 a.m.  – 10:50 a.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks

Session 1 Cancelled

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Session 2

12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lunch with Keynote Speaker and Award Ceremony

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Session 3

3:00 p.m. - Book signing and Wrap-up Chat

Registration for the 2019 Diversity Conference is now closed. Limited session spaces will be available for walk-ins starting at 8:00 a.m. at the conference registration desk.  We look forward to welcoming you.