Bay Path University to Co-host Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Summit Allyship: Coalition Building for Sustainable Change
Longmeadow, MA (April 2021)—President Sandra Doran, Bay Path University, announced today that the institution will co-host a virtual summit, Allyship: Coalition Building for Sustainable Change. The event will be live streamed on July 22 & 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, and is free and open to the public, however, registration is required as the number of seats are limited.
“Bay Path University is extremely proud to co-host a virtual summit on such important topics,” states Bay Path President Sandra J. Doran. "As an educational institutional, it is crucial for us to provide an opportunity for our campus community to have this valuable forum to have conversations that encourage understanding and collaboration. We are also delighted to partner with the National Accrediting Commission for Diversity and Inclusion (NACDI) and the Online Learning Consortium for this all-important discussion.”
With the country grappling with issues around racial and social justice, the summit will focus on encouraging open, collaborative dialogue about diversity, equity and inclusion solutions, interventions and innovations that empower leaders seeking to build more authentically diverse and inclusive teams and communities.
“We know we can do better, and we must. The challenges brought on by the pandemic also strengthened our opportunity to unite around shared experiences and enhance learning for more students in more places,” said Jennifer Mathes, CEO of the Online Learning Consortium, a collaborative community of education leaders. “We commend Bay Path University for hosting this vital discussion and encourage institutions to leave with clear next steps they will take to address inequities, diversity, and inclusion – extending quality learning experiences to all students.”
Who Should Attend?
The insights, connections, and networking opportunities the event will offer will benefit industry professionals who want to access knowledge they can use to improve their organizations. The Summit is open to educators, DEI professionals, community activists and builders and anyone else looking to improve DEI applied practice.
This is the first annual virtual Summit around DEI that Bay Path has hosted. Post pandemic restrictions, there are plans for the Summit to be held as an in-person event.
“The tensions surrounding the senseless murder of Mr. George Floyd on national and international media during a global pandemic has exacerbated the need for forums to come together in conversation and solidarity around topics of concern,” expressed Kimberly Strong, a founding commissioner for NACDI. “Diversity, equity and inclusion all form imperative necessities in all environments where humans interact with one another and there are still so many unresolved lingering issues in America to be addressed.
How to Register?
This summit should provide information for advocates, along with potential solutions, for the most important DEI topics facing organizations today
The virtual Allyship: Coalition Building for Sustainable Change summit is a call to action from a comprehensive group of interested parties, national and local organizations, and influencers. Event sponsors are The Lowcountry Rice Culture Project; Jonathan Green Living Collection; Military Learners Now and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
Register early for this informative free event here.
About Bay Path University
Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow (main), East Longmeadow (Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center), Springfield (MA), Sturbridge (MA), and Concord (MA), Bay Path’s innovative program offerings include traditional undergraduate degrees for women, The American Women's College on-ground and online, the first all-women, all-online accredited bachelor’s degree programs in the country; over 30 graduate programs for women and men, including doctoral degrees; and Strategic Alliances, offering professional development courses for individuals and organizations. Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.
About the National Accrediting Commission for Diversity and Inclusion
The National Accrediting Commission for Diversity and Inclusion™ (NACDI) is synonymous with value and integrity. The association’s primary mission is to deliver the best possible accreditation experience for members and other stakeholders. The National Accrediting Commission for Diversity and Inclusion is a membership organization that strives to elevate and expand the global capacity of diversity and inclusion. NACDI is committed to supporting professional development and the evaluation of diversity and inclusion practices globally. Members of NACDI represent a broad spectrum of professional fields dedicated to supporting societal change by broadening the adoption of diversity and inclusion best practices, professional development resources, networking opportunities, and access to a community of professionals in the field, and more. Visit www.thenacdi.org for more information.
About the Online Learning Consortium
The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a collaborative community of education leaders and innovators, dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner – anyone, anywhere, anytime. OLC inspires innovation and quality through an extensive set of resources, including, best-practice publications, quality benchmarking, leading-edge instruction, community-driven conferences, practitioner-based and empirical research and expert guidance. The growing OLC community includes faculty members, administrators, trainers, instructional designers, and other learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, professional societies and corporate enterprises. Visit http://onlinelearningconsortium.org for more information.
About the Painting
Famed international Gullah artist, Jonathan Green, has allowed the use of his iconic painting titled, The Literary Circle. This artwork was painted in honor of Maya Angelou, a great friend of the artist. The work depicts and honors Ms. Angelou’s huge talent in poetry and literature. The main narrative of this image is to illuminate how Ms. Angelou’s body of work transcended cultures, race, gender, and all differences.