2013 Diversity Conference

The Changing Diversity Footprint:
Taking Purposeful S.T.E.P.S. to make a difference!
Striving Towards Equity, Progress, and Sustainability

Saturday, April 13, 2013
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Slep Student Center

The S.T.E.P.S. Conference provides a unique opportunity to engage in a conversation about diversity and inclusiveness in all aspects of society. This is a one-day event that will take place at Penn State Altoona from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. There is no fee for participating in this conference but we ask that attendees register early due to limited space.

The 2013 Diversity Leadership Conference is sponsored by the Penn State Altoona Mosaic Committee , Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and International Student Services, and Mt. Aloysius Office of Student Affairs.

Conference Goals:

1. The Conference seeks to bring together scholars, policy makers, students, and practice-based participants with an interest in the issues of diversity and community.
2. The Conference will be a place for speaking about diversity in practical and everyday realities in organizations, communities and civic life.
3. The Conference will examine the concepts, discuss pressing issues, and explore modes of diversity in real-life situations of living together in community.

Who Should Attend?

• Students
• Faculty
• Staff
• Administrators
• Researchers
• Parents
• Community Leaders

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

Call for Papers

The call for papers will close on March 29, 2013. The S.T.E.P.S. Conference seeks to provide an international, inter- and trans-disciplinary platform for exchange of ideas in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in society. The conference welcomes participation and presentations by academics, policy makers, and practitioners. We welcome submissions for proposal that make empirical, theoretical, practical or methodological contribution to our understanding of diversity.

Each presentation sessions will be 45 minutes long.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

Suggested Strands for presentation and poster sessions:

1. Globalization
2. Race Relations
3. Identity, Belonging
4. Contemporary Issues of Equity, Access, and Inclusion
5. Learning, Education, Training
6. Other Diversity Related Issues

The above are only suggested strands. If your proposal does not fit into any one of these strands, please submit it under G- Other Diversity Related Issues.

Speakers

Ronaldo Archer

Dr. Ronaldo I. Archer is a best-selling author, a business executive, NFL consultant, military leadership consultant, corporate leadership trainer, Presidential advisor, TV pundit, envoy to Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Korea. He is also the leader of a Global Human Rights Movement throughout Africa and Latin America. Awarded the Martin Luther King Leadership Award for his work developing the hears, hearts, hands and habits of third world leaders to transform their nations from chaos to collaboration. Countries like Korea, Singapore, Kenya, Colombia and India credit him for his work in their countries to build improved schools, clinics, business models and governments reforms.

He is truly a Human Success Story. Born prematurely to a 16 year single mother in the ghetto of Cleveland, Ohio with a learning disability, stuttering disorder, and molested it is remarkable that he rose from the outhouse of life to the white house to advise several U.S. Presidents, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Foreign Prime Ministers, World Leaders and NFL Teams.

When you hear his compelling life story from his personal and professional journey from shame to pain to power, from wounds to wisdom from failure to fortune, from the out house to the White House, it will inspire every person in your organization to move from being a complainer to climber!

When you listen to what he had to overcome to get where he is today , it will bring tears to your heart and joy to your soul and faith to your team.

Who is Ron Archer? Once you hear him, you will never ever forget him.

Pam Mines Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence. Pam Mines is an author, wife, mother of three, entrepreneur, and advocate for children with special needs. Pam and her husband Perry own Luv’em Like MINES Youth Services, a company providing mentoring services to at-risk youth ages 5-21; many of them, just like 2 of their own children, live with special needs. After finding out that her youngest child, JP had a developmental delay that was later diagnosed as Autism, she was determined not to let JP’s diagnosis get her down. Pam took what some might view as a devastating situation, and turned it into nothing less than a blessing and a calling. She took JP’s diagnosis head on, and adopted a pro-active approach to raising a differently-abled child. In 2009, Pam wrote her 1st children’s book entitled God Chose Me, which serves as a learning tool and guide for children with different-abilities. That same year, Pam began her tenure on the board of directors of the Autism Society of Central Virginia (serving one term as VP of Fundraising). She has also served as a liaison for several government officials helping their constituents to navigate the challenges of finding and securing resources in support of special needs children. In 2012 Pam started the first Richmond area Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt at her church, Village of Faith Ministries. This year, the special needs hunt grew from 22 children to over 75. In January 2013 she founded the JP JumPers Foundation, a non-profit that’s “JumPing In” to positively impact families affected by Autism, Special Needs and Unique Circumstances. Additionally, Pam has been honored as one of three finalists for the Radical Woman of the Year Award (2010); was selected as one of Richmond, Virginia's Top 40 Under 40 for her work with autism, special needs and at-risk youth (2011); was the recipient of the Special Olympics Virginia Community Service Award for her volunteer efforts on behalf of Special Olympics athletes (2012); was specifically asked to represent the Dale District as a parent representative on the Chesterfield County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (2013); and was recently the recipient of the Urban League of Greater Richmond’s Leader in OUR Community Award (2013). She also started a Blog titled “A Life Like MINES”, chronicling experiences and “Aha” moments in the life of an everyday mom who is Chosen. Pam will discuss how educators, friends, family members, and allies can advocate and support children and families affected by Autism and special needs. She will also address Special Needs in minority communities. Pam will enlighten you on a community that is often overlooked, while making you feel comfortable through an approach that will provide laughter about a serious topic.

Schedule

Optional Activity - The Anatomy of Hate documentary will be shown at 2:00 p.m. in Slep Student Center. For more information on this film please visit http://theanatomyofhate.com/ online.

Directions, Maps, and More

• Directions to campus
• Campus Maps

GPS - Ivyside Campus - Juniata Gap entrance
40° 32' 20.2" N, 078° 24' 35.7" W