Diversity and inclusion speaker coming to campus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—"Strategic Diversity Leadership at WMU: Building Capacity for Inclusive Excellence" is the topic of a public lecture on Thursday, March 26, on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Dr. Damon Williams, senior vice president and chief education officer of the Boys and Girls Club of America, will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 157-159 Bernhard Center.

Sponsored by the Campus Climate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tactical Action Community with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Racial Healing Planning Grant, Williams will also hold breakout sessions by invitation. CCDEI TAC members and assessment and implementation subrecipient grantees; senior leadership and Provost's Council; faculty and instructor leaders; managers, supervisors and directors; student leaders; and Grassroots diversity leaders will receive invitation to separate breakout sessions titled "Building Leadership Strategies for Excellence in Diversity: Thought Conversations with Dr. Williams."

Refreshments will be provided at all the events.

The CCDEI TAC is bringing Williams to campus to continue the progress from the recommendations of the 2013 campus climate study, and the follow up review of the implementation, accomplishments and planning next steps that took place during the 2014 action forums resulting from its work with Dr. Roger Worthington.

Damon Williams

Williams is responsible for leading the national program strategy and the strategic goals of strengthening the impact of clubs, including the programs supporting the targeted areas of the strategic plan—academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. He has 16 years of youth development and executive management experience, most recently as associate vice chancellor, vice provost, chief diversity officer and faculty member in the department of educational leadership and policy analysis with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A scholar, leader, educator, learner and senior executive whose focus is on strategic diversity leadership, Williams holds a doctorate degree in philosophy in organizational behavior and strategic management from the University of Michigan.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/diversity or contact Tiffany White, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at (269) 387-6327 or tiffany.white@wmich.edu.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.