HEDS Talk
HEDS Talk 1 – Kathryn Young
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Join in the conversation! This talk uses a conversational approach to engage the audience. Dr. Young is interviewed on the topic of colorblindness. We learn from her how she developed an interest for diversity and social justice work and what it means to be colorblind. She delves into the dangers of colorblind ideology and how
HEDS Talk 2 – Tamara White
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)This talk centers the conversation around the often presumed incompetence of women of color in higher education. Tamara White uses her narrative to show the negotiations that take place within the academic environment to not only prove that women of color are competent, but to provide a glimpse as to how they also navigate their
HEDS Talk 3 – Melissa Cermak
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Melissa Cermak gives us a glimpse into “how she got here.” She is currently the Assistant Director of the Access Center-Disability Support Services at the Auraria Campus.
HEDS Talk 4 – Katherine Martinez
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Katherine Martinez presents on gender and sexuality. She explores queer utopias and how we can utilize the past to reimagine a queer future.
HEDS Talk 5 – Marsha Aizumi
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Marsha shares with us her journey as the mother of a transgender son and how she took steps to become an advocate for safe schools, and bringing greater visibility and support to the Asian Pacific Islander LGBT community, with emphasis on the transgender community.
HEDS Talk 1 – I’m Here: Existing in Invalidating Environments
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesXajés (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, CO, United StatesNadeen 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, CO, United StatesNaomi 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.
HEDS Talks 4 – From Adolescence into Adulthood – A Journey in Mental Health and Overall Well Being
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesMichelle 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, CO, United StatesAs 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, CO, United StatesDr. 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, CO, United StatesJoe 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.
The Invisible Youth: Transitional Services for Foster Youth in Higher Education
Tivoli 320BLast year over 687,000 children spent time in U.S. foster care system, a disproportionate number of these children are minorities, LGBTQ+, and from low-income families. Each year 20,000 children age out of the system, their transition to higher education is more difficult than their peers. Only 25% will graduate high school and 2% complete college.
Pretty Fly for a WiFi
Tivoli 320BFull participation in higher education requires access to the internet. Unfortunately, many of our students cannot afford this service in their homes. To help address this problem, the Auraria Library began circulating Wifi Hotspots that students can check out like a book and bring home with them for weeks at a time. This session outlines
I Will Love Myself, No Permission or Explanations Required
Tivoli 320BDepending on where you are or end up being “different” will require you to stand alone in openly expressing your beliefs and values. In a setting of higher education where growth and development gets to its tipping point, and advocacy for ourselves and each other is crucial, the process of accepting our identities and being
Invisible and Invincible: What It’s Like to Be Homeless in College
Tivoli 320BThis HEDS talk features both a university professor who researches homelessness among college students, and a student who overcame her own homelessness while completing her undergraduate education. Together, they share information about housing insecurity among college students—its prevalence, risk factors, related challenges, and recommended resources. Through increased awareness of the issues affecting students who experience