HEDS Art Exhibit

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

HEDS keeps looking for new ways to connect and explore diversity. The committee has decided the ArtAbility and The Milestone Project. Merging these two art exhibits at the conference will provide us a new way to engage in diversity conversations. Learn more about these projects.

Phamaly Performance – James and the Giant Peach

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Phamaly Theatre Company produces professional scale plays and musicals year-round throughout the Denver Metro region, cast entirely of performers with disabilities of all kinds – physical, cognitive, intellectual, and emotional. Currently celebrating its 28th season, Phamaly’s artistry is unique in the theatre world, and the company has garnered numerous awards for its highly innovative productions. In addition to MainStage shows, Phamaly offers educational classes and other professional development opportunities for theatre artists with disabilities.

HEDS Talk 1 – I’m Here: Existing in Invalidating Environments

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Xajés (sounds like "ah yes") Martinez serves as the Assistant Director of the LGBTQ Student Resource Center and uses they/them/theirs pronouns. As the Assistant Director, Xajés coordinates presentations by the center for the Auraria community, supervises the center’s Student Program Assistants, and offers insight and support to various campus committees on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Xajés received their B.A. in Communication Studies from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, and completed their M.A. in Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

HEDS Talks 2 – The Muslim American Experience: A Personal Narrative

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Nadeen Ibrahim migrated from the Palestinian Territory when she was seven months old, and moved to Colorado in 1997. She was raised in Wiggins, Colorado – a northeastern rural community of less than 1000 individuals. Presently, Nadeen is a fourth-year and senior student at the University of Colorado Denver, majoring in public health and minoring in leadership studies and chemistry. In addition to being committed to her undergraduate studies and excelling academically, Nadeen is active on campus and in the community.

HEDS Talks 3 – Whiteness: What is it and how is it working in higher ed?

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Naomi W. Nishi is a motherscholar of two children and a PhD candidate in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. Naomi’s research focuses on building racial inclusivity and deconstructing whiteness in the higher education classroom. Specifically, through her work, Naomi explores the interplay of whiteness and identity in college/university students and identifies and deconstructs projections and performances of whiteness particularly in the classroom.

Supporting Folx of All Genders and Sexualities

LGBTQIA folx face challenges every day. Knowing what the identities in the acronym mean is just the start. How we value and empower all genders and sexualities is an ongoing process that everyone has a part in. This workshop will provide attendees an opportunity to reflect on identity development, process systemic challenges in higher education and society, and practice ways to value and empower LGBTQIA family, friends, and community.

Busy Noisy and Powerfully Effective

Connect theory and learning to the lived experience with creative projects in the classroom. Participants will explore the use of artistic or creative projects that can connect course content and enhance the depth of learning for students. Using such projects enriches classroom diversity climate, fosters collaboration and provides opportunities for student engaged learning. Workshop members will have hands on experience and create a mask using paper, graphics and images that reflect the identities of self and one’s public and private face.

The Glamorization of the Model Minority

This workshop invites participants to reflect and interrogate their understanding of the historical and contemporary notions of the model minority myth in education, situated in their positionality and identities. This will support the examination of what internal dialogue is needed to re-center in authentic self/identity, away from whiteness, and what will need to be done in order to not perpetuate this myth further in our communities, jobs, and families. Presenters will provide a brief historical context of the model minority and its contemporary use, engage participants in dialogue problematizing its glamorization, and share their lived experiences in relation to this stereotype.

Whiteness: Seeing, Naming, and Resisting

In this multimedia workshop, participants will work to define whiteness and identify concrete examples of how it works in higher education. They will also understand the consequences of whiteness for people of color. The group will then work together to develop strategies for naming whiteness and resisting whiteness on campus, in the classroom, and online.

#HereToStay/ La Lucha Sigue

In this workshop you will learn about ASSET which granted undocumented students in-state tuition in Colorado, and DACA which granted relief from deportation for undocumented youth nationwide. You will also hear about student's life experiences as undocumented immigrants and the current fight against deportations. Come find out more and get the resources you need to become an ally and learn about the current immigration movement.

Socioeconomic Status in Higher Education

Socioeconomic status is defined as the position or standing of an individual, family, or group within a hierarchical social structure as measured by a combination of variables, including occupation, education, income, wealth, and place of residence. Socioeconomic status can have a definite impact on student access to and success in higher education. Students who are perceived as coming from an economically-deprived background may be challenged not only by financial pressures but also lower self-esteem, lack of role models, and implicit bias within the college classroom setting which can hinder their progress towards the goal of completing their degree. Despite the myriad obstacles which must be overcome, there are thousands of instances that destroy the myths and successfully demonstrate that zip code does not automatically predict destiny. How do some students persevere? Is “determination” part of their DNA? Or is it a trait that can be instilled and nurtured by faculty, administrators and others in the higher education arena? Come join in the dialogue and be prepared for a surprising twist in the discussion at the end.

Keynote and Lunch – Dr. Rosemarie Allen

Dr. Rosemarie Allen has served as a leader in early childhood education for nearly years. Her life's work is centered on ensuring children have access to high-quality early childhood programs that are developmentally and culturally appropriate. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her classes are focused on ensuring teachers are aware of how issues of equity, privilege, and power impact teaching practices.

HEDS Talks 4 – From Adolescence into Adulthood – A Journey in Mental Health and Overall Well Being

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Michelle Wiley, LPC, CPRP brings social innovation to the field of mental health. Her most recent endeavor has been launching a new program of the Mental Health Center of Denver to serve teens and young adults in the areas of prevention, early intervention, and whole-person, collaborative treatment -- all with holding the intention to help change the trajectories of mental health experiences. Areas of interest and specialty include dynamic and effective program evaluation strategies; developing programs that are relevant, meaningful and culturally responsive; implementing change initiatives; and creating teams and cultures that support the longevity of professionals in the helping fields.

HEDS Talk 5 – Broken Crayons Still Color

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

As a freshman in high schools, Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Several surgeries later, she found herself permanently blind. Now a student with a disability, Emily has persevered through an independence training program for the visually impaired and her college career. Emily shares a unique perspective of the value that should be placed on people with disabilities and the fact that "Broken Crayons Still Color."

HEDS Talk 6 – Cultivating Inclusion

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

​Dr. Brenda J. Allen is the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. She also is a Professor of Communication. Her scholarship focuses on organizational communication and diversity. Among her numerous publications is a groundbreaking book entitled Difference Matters: Communicating Social Identity. She presents keynote speeches and conducts workshops on topics such as inclusion in the workplace, strategic planning, unconscious bias, and diversity hiring practices.

HEDS Talk 7 – Leadership In Action

King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Joe Salazar is in his third term representing House District 31, which includes most of Thornton and parts of unincorporated Adams County. He serves on the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Salazar was the author of a new 2016 law establishing tax-free savings accounts for first-time home buyers, a step toward making housing more affordable in Colorado. He has spent his entire career making sure the rights of Coloradans are protected.

Minorities in the Media: Thugs, Hoes, & Illegals

The media has controlled what information we as a society can access. But what happens when we equip individuals with phones with cameras and Twitter feeds? Amazing things! More people begin to notice how bias a lot of the media sources are when it comes to representing minorities; whether that be photo choice on the front page of newspapers or watching basic television shows. Let's unpack all the words for how minorities are represented in the media and how hashtag activism is combating that old rhetoric.

The Art of Your Journey

When thinking about your journey from adolescence to adulthood, imagine a road or a path of some kind. Create an image using the materials provided to illustrate a picture to represent your road or path that you took from adolescence to adulthood. What stops occurred along the way? Were there any “road blocks” that you experienced during this time? If so, what were they and what do they look like? Did your path or road go different directions? If so, why? What kind of “road side assistance” helped you along the way? Also, think about where you are located on this path? You may be a young adolescent that is 20 years old, so your journey may be just getting started. Or perhaps, you’re an adult in your 40s towards the end of your journey.

Exploring Interreligious Dialogue

A little-discussed aspect of our experience at colleges and universities is religious and spiritual identity. Our lack of dialogue on (particularly public) campuses about religion effectively silences these identities, identities that play an important role in how we show up with each other. This interactive workshop will (1) explore what is (and is not) interreligious or interfaith dialogue; (2) provide tools for dialoguing across differences; and (3) engage participants in practice dialogue. Resources and additional readings will be provided to help participants deepen their exploration of this important topic.

Conquering Reading Disabilities with Technology

Just getting through a textbook with dyslexia or a vision impairment can stop an education in its tracks. Add in all of the other reading material that may be provided - articles online, scanned articles provided in email or through a learning management system, or hard-copy handouts in a class - and you have a recipe for failure. How do students navigate these treacherous paths and have a road to success? And how can you, as an educator, help them get there? This session will discuss technology solutions for persons with various types of reading disabilities, and provide easy everyone-can-use it methods and software to provide that level playing field that all students need.

Diversity & Law Enforcement

Michael J. Phibbs is the Chief of the Auraria Campus Police Department (ACPD). Phibbs joined the ACPD in August of 2014. Phibbs has 25 years of law enforcement experience. Phibbs earned his master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado Denver. He received his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder. Phi's is a graduate of the 241st session of the FBI National Academy. Governor Hickenlooper appointed Phibbs to the Colorado Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) board. Phibbs also serves as the Legislative Chair for the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.

Community Activism with Rep. Joe Salazar

Description Representative Salazar will be leading a conversation on activism, policy, and community engagement. Influenced by his work as an attorney, community organizer, and state representative Joe Salazar will no

Closing Reception

King Center - Main Street 855 Lawrence Way, Denver

Following the last session, the closing reception is a place to connect with other attendees, presenters, and keynote speakers.  The Summit is featuring the ArtAbility and Arapahoe Community College Inclusivity and Diversity Milestone Project.  Merging these two