On Friday, November 30, 2018, Skyline College hosted the Inaugural Student Leadership and Equity Summit. Funded by the SMCCCD EEOC Diversity Grant and the Associated Students of Skyline College and in partnership with the TRiO Club and the Promise Scholars Program, the Summit was designed to create opportunities for SMCCCD student employees and leaders to examine the challenges encountered by individuals impacted through systemic inequity. The Summit was also designed to increase participants’ cultural awareness, social responsibility and connection through meaningful opportunities to interact with one another.
Working with their peers from Skyline College, the College of San Mateo and Cañada College participants had the opportunity to explore and learn various leadership tenets through the lens of equity and inclusion. After a stirring opening welcome by Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, President of Skyline College, and keynote speech from Lasana Hotep, Dean of Student Equity and Support Programs, participants attended the following dynamic and engaging workshops sessions:
- Strategies for Equity and Excellence in Leadership, Katrina Pantig, Program Services Coordinator, Student Equity and Support Programs, Skyline College
- Mastering Cultural Communication and Difficult Conversations, Danielle Powell, Professor, Communications Department, Skyline College
- Social Justice and Socially Conscious Change Leadership, Mustafa Popal, Assistant Professor, History Department, Skyline College
The Summit was masterfully closed by Dr. Jeremiah Sims, Director of Equity at San Mateo College. Students were highly engaged and excited about the information, networking, learning and engagement that occurred as seen in their overall conference evaluation. 144 students attended the Summit and gave it an overall rating of 3.8 out of 4 (where 4 was rated excellent, 3 was good, 2 was average and 1 was poor). Catalina O’Meany, participant in the Summit deftly recapped her experience by stating, “The summit taught me that equality is not always the solution but rather the awareness and provision of equitable service or instruction can provide more efficient results.” As reported by the participants, they are looking forward to continuing their participation in the Student Leadership and Equity Series in the spring through two follow-up events on February 2, 2019 and March 15, 2019.
Article by Amory Cariadus, Eric Imahara, Ellen Murray & Michael Stokes
