Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

DEI Conference


As part of Stockton University’s commitment to providing ongoing opportunities for alumni to engage in open dialogue about diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice issues, Alumni Relations and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion have launched a year-long alumni conference focused on these topics. 

This series aims to foster meaningful conversations and collective learning among Stockton alumni and faculty, staff, students, and other guests to promote anti-racism and help build a more equitable world.

Each session will focus on broad questions and feature distinguished alumni and others.

 

Learn more about how you can support Stockton's social justice and equity programs.

Previous Events:

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Panel Discussion on Emergent Strategy
Dec. 7, 2023; 6 p.m.

This panel discussion, moderated by Ike Ejikeme '18 and Christopher Lipari Pazienza '21, will focus on the Conference Planning Committee's Reading Selection, Emergent Strategy- authored by Octavia Butler. 

 

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING:

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Panel Discussion on Emergent Strategy
Emergent Strategy
Emergent Strategy by Octavia Butler-
Inspired by Butler's explorations of our human relationship to change, Emergent Strategy is radical self-help, society-help, and planet-help designed to shape the futures we want to live. Change is constant. The world is in a continual state of flux. It is a stream of ever-mutating, emergent patterns. Rather than steel ourselves against such change, this book invites us to feel, map, assess, and learn from the swirling patterns around us in order to better understand and influence them as they happen. This is a resolutely materialist “spirituality” based equally on science and science fiction, a visionary incantation to transform that which ultimately transforms us.

 

MEET THE MODERATORS:

Ike Ejikeme '18

Ike Ejikeme '18

Federal Government Civil Servant, Scholar-Practitioner, Public Affairs Professional, Washington, DC

Christopher Lipari Pazienza '21

Christopher Lipari Pazienza '21

Residence Hall Director, Kean University

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Panel Discussion on Sweat
Oct. 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join fellow alumni and friends for a session of our Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This panel discussion, moderated by Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Valerie O. Hayes, will focus on the Conference Planning Committee's Summer Reading Selection, Sweat - authored by Lynn Nottage. 

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING:

Alumni Conference on DEI: Panel Discussion - Sweat by Lynn Nottage

Sweat

 Sweat by Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage, two time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright has written one of her most exquisitely devastating tragedies to date. In one of the poorest cities in America, Reading, Pennsylvania, a group of down-and-out factory workers struggle to keep their present lives in balance, ignorant of the financial devastation looming in their near future. Based on Nottage’s extensive research and interviews with residents of Reading, Sweat is a topical reflection of the present and poignant outcome of America’s economic decline. This book was also selected by Stockton’s faculty as the shared reading for incoming students as part of their first-year seminar course.

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Critical Race Theory
April 26; 6-7:30 p.m.

This panel will clarify the conversation about the nature and history of race and racism in our nation and the ongoing discussion around state legislation throughout the U.S. focused on critical race theory in education. The panel will help attendees gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and history of critical race theory. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING:

Stashia Emanuel

Dr. Stashia Emanuel `93
Vice Provost, Academic Affairs,
Kentucky State University

Quanda Hood

Quanda Hood `96
Chair, Better Way Forward, an organization focused on civil rights and social action in North Liberty, IA

Kent Lollis

Kent Lollis, Esq.
Vice President Emeritus, Law School Admission Council

Pat Reid-Merrit

Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt
Distinguished Professor of Social Work & Africana Studies, Stockton University

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Challenges Faced by Women of Color 
Dec. 14; 6-7:30 p.m.

Join fellow alumni and friends for the seventh session of our year-long Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Challenges Facing Women of Color

This conversation, comprised of alumni, faculty, staff and students, will focus on the intersection of race, gender and systemic obstacles for women of color.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING:

Amina Bey, Panelist

Amina Bey `90
Executive Director, Newark Emergency Services for Families

Erika Di Renzo, Panelist

Erika Di Renzo `05
Educational Consultant

Dr. Pamela Thomas Fields, Panelist

Dr. Pamela Thomas-Fields `92
Faculty, School of Business, Stockton University

Dr. Ashlee Roberts, Moderator

Moderator: Dr. Ashlee Roberts
Executive Director, Student Affairs Planning & Operations, Stockton University

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: College as a First-Generation Student
Oct. 28, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join fellow alumni and friends for the fifth session of our year-long Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This conversation, comprised of first-generation alumni and education experts, will focus on topics related to the experience of First-Generation students.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING:

 

MEET THE PANELISTS FROM OUR FIFTH EVENT

Steven Couras `08

Steven Couras `08
Associate Dean of Residence Life and Off-campus Housing and Ombuds Associate, 
Curtis Institute of Music

 

Aquasia Davis `13

Aquasia Davis `13
Special State Investigator/Acting County Detective
Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office

 

Dr. Angel Hernandez

Dr. Angel Hernandez
Director of Educational Opportunity Fund, Atlantic City
Stockton University

 

Edward Marshall III `92

Edward Marshal III `92
Director, Upward Bound Math Science,
University of Pennsylvania

 

Irvin Moreno Rodriguez `15

Irvin Moreno Rodriguez `15
Program Assistant of the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center,
Stockton University

 

 

Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Panel Discussion on Between the World and Me
Sept. 28, 6-7:30 p.m.

Join fellow alumni and friends for the fourth session of our year-long Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. This panel discussion, moderated by Professor of Africana Studies and Communication Studies Donnetrice J. Allison, will focus on the Conference Planning Committee's Summer Reading Selection, Between the World and Me - authored by Ta-Nehisi Coates. 

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING FROM OUR FOURTH EVENT:

Between the World and Me

The #1 New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me is authored by Ta-Nehisi Coates – author, journalist, screenwriter, executive producer and professor and Stockton’s featured speaker for the 2021 Pappas Visiting Scholar Series in November. Between the World and Me is written as a letter to the author's teenage son about the feelings, symbolism and realities associated with being Black in the United States. This book was also selected by Stockton’s faculty as the shared reading for incoming students as part of their first-year seminar course.

Shared Governance, Institutional Structures and Anti-Racism
April 28; 6:30-8:00 p.m.

This third event will answer how diversity and inclusivity look within a shared governance structure and what anti-racism means in shared governance featuring a distinguished panel of Stockton alumni, faculty, staff and students.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING FROM OUR THIRD EVENT:

MEET THE PANELISTS FROM OUR THIRD EVENT

Jessica Grullon

Jessica Grullon `09
Associate Director of Admissions Services,
Stockton University

 

Ariane

Ariane Hutchins-Newman `90
Assistant Dean, School of Health Sciences,
Stockton University

 

T King

Terry King `96
Captain of Detectives,
Camden County Prosecutors Office

 

Marion McClary

Marion McClary `90
Professor of Biology, Chair, Department of Biological Sciences,
Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

Raymond

Raymond Royster `05
Coordinator of Victim Witness Unit,
Atlantic County Prosecutors Office

 

ragland

Moderator:
Christian D. Ragland, MPA
Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,
AtlantiCare

 

Diversity, Inclusivity and Freedom of Speech
March 31; 6:30-8:00 p.m.

This session will cover the relationship between diversity and inclusivity and the First Amendment principle of Freedom of Speech, featuring a distinguished panel of alumni and other members of the Stockton community. We will also examine the role of various sectors and individuals in addressing speech and expression that may be viewed as offensive and hateful, among other topics.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING FROM OUR SECOND EVENT:

MEET THE PANELISTS FROM OUR SECOND EVENT

Ellen Bailey

Ellen D. Bailey
Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel,
Stockton University

Kevin Cathcart

Kevin Cathcart `76
Former Executive Director,
Lambda Legal

John DeRose

John A. DeRose `07
Partner,
Goldberg Segalla LLP

Ariane Hutchins-Newman

Ariane Hutchins-Newman `90
Assistant Dean, School of Health Sciences,
Stockton University

Terry King

Terry King `96
Captain of Detectives,
Camden County Prosecutors Office

Valerie Hayes

Moderator:
Valerie Hayes

Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion,
Stockton University

Diversity & Inclusion: What Does it Mean for Higher Education
Feb. 25; 6:30-8:00 p.m.

This session will introduce concepts of diversity and inclusion and explore what these values mean for higher education featuring a distinguished panel of Stockton alumni, faculty, staff and students.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, HERE IS THE RECORDING FROM OUR FIRST EVENT:

MEET THE PANELISTS FROM OUR FIRST EVENT

Eric Anglero

Eric R. Anglero `13
Interim Associate Director, LGBT Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Princeton University

Stashia Emanuel

Stashia Emanuel `93
Vice Provost for Academic Services, 
Kentucky State University 

Sharone Glasco

Sharone Glasco `89
Associate Vice President of Student Success and Experiential Learning,
Lincoln University of PA 

Ed Marshall

Ed Marshall `92 
Director, Upward Bound Math Science, 
University of Pennsylvania 

Nicole Rodriguez

Nicole Rodriguez
Director, Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct,
Kean University 

Juana Socorro-Aguirre

Juana Socorro-Aguirre `10
Resident Director,
Morgan State University 


 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Carl Archut, Jr. `16 
Director of Development for Regional Giving, UC Davis

Steven Couras `08
Director of Residence Life
Saint Peter's University

Paula Davis `76 
Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Atlantic Cape Community College

Sara Faurot Crowley
Director of Alumni Relations, Stockton University

Stashia Emanuel `93
Vice Provost for Academic Services, Kentucky State University

Jessica Grullon `09 
Associate Director of Admissions Services, Stockton University

Valerie Hayes
Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion, Stockton University

Horace Knight, Jr. `03
Digital Marketing Strategist, Photographer

Ayisha Lee `14/M.B.A '17
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Stockton University

Ed Marshall `92 
Director, Upward Bound Math Science, University of Pennsylvania

Irvin Moreno Rodriguez `15 
Program Assistant of the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, Stockton University

Daniel Nugent
Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the University Foundation, Stockton University

Ashlee Roberts
Executive Director of Student Affairs Planning and Operations, Stockton University

Beverly Vaughn 
Professor of Music, Stockton University