The Active Dialogue Institute will be hosted at the University of Michigan, July 16 -18, 2025. You don’t want to miss out on two days of learning, practice, and application of active dialogue techniques. Bring your team and tell a friend!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Just a quick reminder, there are several ways for you to Engage with ACUI through volunteering with many of the open positions below.?

Apply for Open Volunteer Roles by April 7

Applications are now open for regional director, several program teams, and community leaders through April 7! If you are interested?in…

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Good morning everyone,

As part of the ACUI Strategic plan, I am working on highlighting and showcasing Active Dialogue programs that are currently happening on our college and university campuses. If your institution has a program that we could highlight, please send information about your program including a web address to…

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Hello Friends,

A team of ACUI volunteers are joining me in planning the second Active Dialogue Institute. University of Michigan is our host site and we are excited to be on campus July 16 – 18, 2025. As we plan, I will share topics that spark dialogue and ask, how can we apply active dialogue to this situation?

In this week’s news, one…

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Hello all,

Mark your calendar and join us next month for this webinar, “2025 State of the Union: What Does This Mean for Higher Ed?”

We’ve invited a panel of ACUI members from different regions to share their perspectives on President Trump’s state of the union address. New leaders bring new ideas and that means change. Find out what these…

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Hello all,

January 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and here are a few celebrations happening in Dallas, Texas!

The?43rd annual MLK celebration will feature a?week-long series of events. The theme:?“The Unfinished Agenda of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Where Do We Go Now?”?Here are some events to check out?if?you’re in the metroplex next week: Read more

Deadline has been extended to January 6.

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Cory Headley
Director, Student Engagement and Surbeck Center
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City SD
(605) 394-2336
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2024 16:42
From: Cory Headley
Subject:… Read more

Community Members:

The Education Council is looking for three new members to serve on the council. This is a great opportunity to impact the direction of education within the Association. ?Here is a link to more information about the position and the application. Deadline to apply is this Friday, December 6.

Thanks!
Cory

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Hi friends – in case you missed it, Campus Awards (and other award nominations) are due tomorrow. Below is an overview of all the Campus Awards, and I wanted to bring to this groups attention the “Joseph H. Benedict Jr. Social Change Award for Racial Justice”:

The Joseph H. Benedict Jr. Social Change Award for Racial Justice honors an… Read more

Hello everyone!

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program team is working updated our current DEI toolkit as part of the strategic plan. We would appreciate your feedback to assist in our planning efforts. Please take a few moments to fill out this brief survey.

Survey

Thanks for taking time to support this important work.

Cory Headley

… Read more

Hi ACUI,

I recently sat through an information presentation/demo for a company offering Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for ASL to/from English and Spanish through an app that connects the user with an interpreter who can video chat with a hard of hearing or deaf individual and then speak with a hearing individual, allowing for a conversation…

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Hello everyone!

Whoever wins the election on November 5, 2024 will deliver the State of the Union address in early 2025.?

We are interested in hearing your thoughts on what the presidential address could mean for higher education.

If you’re interested in joining the panel, let me know by completing this short?Interest Survey.

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Hello Community of Practice Members,

Amy and I are excited to be leading the DEI Program team. We are currently looking for those members who would be interested in supporting ACUI’s DEI efforts by joining the team, or who would be willing to share knowledge through webinars, podcasts, etc. in order to achieve the goals of the ACUI Strategic…

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Hey everyone, I have a question about flag displaying procedures. Does anyone have specific criteria on which flags they allow to be displayed? We have a procedure that allows unrecognized countries flags by the U.S. (e.g., Kurdistan, Palestine, and Tibet) to be displayed if a student feels represented by them. They can also present their case…

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

If we’ve chatted for even five minutes you know I love podcasts! Codeswitch is one of my favorites and this episode is a Black History Month moment that ties to Valentine’s Day.?

How did Black people find love in 1937? Through a letter sent to the Lonesome Hearts Column of a prominent Black newspaper, the…

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Hello everyone!

Did you know we have a Community of Practice focused on Student Basic Needs? The idea to create the CoP was the focus of Dr. Phil Smith?s dissertation: The Struggle is Real: How African American College Students Persist Despite Basic Needs Challenges, and his devotion to create a space to meet student?s basic needs. Aside…

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Hello everyone,

This looks like a bold move for the city of San Francisco. Empty buildings that can be filled with a HBCU satellite campuses is an interesting angle to revitalize downtown SF. Read the article. IMHO, this is not about diversity, this is about capitalism. If following the money creates space for diversity to thrive, get…

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Hello everyone,

Last year we offered a seminar “Resilience in the Face of Resistance.” Unfortunately, we had to cancel due to low attendance. This?clip from Dr. Froswa Booker Drew, is an introduction to the workshop facilitator and a spotlight on Fannie Lou Hamer in honor of Black History Month.

If you’re reading the headlines and keeping…

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Hello everyone,

Happy Monday! The following quote is from today’s member spotlight.

“One of my great mentors has a quote that I love, “everyone’s problem is NOT your problem.”?You’re there to help and guide and be of assistance. But not every problem is for you to carry…we should all do our best to be there for each other. But that…

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Hello everyone,

Planning for ACUI Communities of Practice Virtual Community Week is underway!

Virtual Community Week provides an opportunity for Communities of Practice to convene before the ACUI Annual Conference. It’s a chance for community members to connect. It is beneficial for those unable to attend the conference and serves as a…

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Hi friends!

The monthly LGBTQIA+ Community Meetup is Friday at 2:30 PM CST. Think of it more like a Gaysgiving, Friendsgiving or whatever you prefer to call it with it being November. Hope to see you there!

https://acui-org.zoom.us/j/93115362529?pwd=NmE0eHR0M0Q1MUczNDF1MjFmWUxmUT09

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Caleb Eubanks (he/him/his) Read more

Hello everyone, I am currently work with my Greek Life Assistant Director and Equity Access team to develop a policy that will protect our trans students who may want to join a fraternity or sorority. While I have found some current policies from a few different national Greek Lettered organizations, I was hoping to see if anyone has a policy…

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Hello everyone!

If The Great Resignation, quiet quitting, and a shallow talent pool is stressing you, I highly recommend this upcoming webinar on Recruiting Diverse Talent. The best part? IT’S FREE.?

Be well,

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Stacey Givens
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Senior Diversity Officer
ACUI Read more

Hello everyone,

At institutions across the nation, diversity, equity, and inclusion funding is at risk and some DEI leaders are vacating the role. A recent article from Inside Higher Ed states:

Texas?lawmakers have proposed legislation to ban DEI work in public higher ed outright. Last week, Oklahoma’s new Republican superintendent of… Read more

Great post!? Our Student Union has a partnership with the Writing and Language Studies department for a Book Club. This month they are reading Their Eyes Were Watching God.? We’re excited for the students to read the book.? ?Thanks Stacey!

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Edna Zambrano-Martinez
Student Unions Director
University of Texas Rio… Read more

Hello all,

For today’s Black History Month historical spotlight, meet Zora Neale Hurston.?

Source: Because of Them We Can.

Be well,

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Stacey Givens
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Senior Diversity Officer
ACUI
Bloomington IN
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Caleb,
Hey there my friend. Thank you for this post. I started one regarding what is occurring in Florida (CRT, DEI, so-called “Queer Theory”) and I stopped. It was simply too much to process. I cannot write fast enough to address legislation that rewrites, removes, or redefines history. Our nation is at a pivotal moment. Voting is essential; it… Read more

Hi Caleb,
Thanks for naming what a lot of people are feeling. The impact of state legislation is especially harmful right now. For those that will be in Boston at the annual conference, we’ve identified the impact of state legislation as one of our “hot topic” roundtables to give participants space to share, process, and understand how campuses… Read more

Hello everyone!

What are your plans for MLK Day?

Here are a few things happening in my neck of the woods (Texas).

• Ta-Nehisi Coates, author, screenwriter, MacArthur Fellowship winner, National Book Award winner is speaking in Austin, TX as the Long Center for the Performing Arts.
• THE Angela Davis is speaking at The National Day of Racial…

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Hello everyone!

We’ve extended the award deadline for the Revis A. Cox award, which honors the passion of professionals who contribute relentless support for multicultural education and social justice through their leadership on campus.

I’ve met many of you and I know you work tirelessly to create content, cultural events, and mentorship programs… Read more

Hello everyone!

Have you heard about the National Education Equity Lab? They are a non-profit that focus on first-generation students by granting free access to college courses (they must pass the courses) to get a feel for college life. Is your institution a member??

Take a look at this article from The Chronicle of Higher Ed.
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Hi friends!
Welcome to October. It’s LGBTQIA+ History Month in the US. What events stand out in your mind?
For me I was in undergrad when marriage equality was making its way through court systems across the country. I remember working at a summer camp in Texas when Obergefell v. Hodges was decided on 6/26/2015 and literally bursting into tears… Read more

I read this article to begin my day and it got me to thinking how lucky I was to attend a university that provided resources for me as an out LGBTQ+ individual. From 10 free counseling sessions a semester (I only wish I took advantage sooner), an LGBTQ+ support and advocacy student group, Diversity & Inclusion office who helped us… Read more

Hi folks,

One thing we’ve heard from some members related to land acknowledgments is that they often ring hollow with no real “action plans” beyond that statement. The Associated Press recently published an excellent article about the ongoing issue of the slow process for repatriating Native American artifacts and remains back to the… Read more

Hi folks,
You may or may not be aware of this new tool from UCLA: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-law-launches-critical-race-theory-forward-project

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Steve Chaplin
Managing Editor – ACUI’s The Bulletin
Manager – College Union and Student Activities Evaluation Program (CUSA)
ACUI Read more

Hi everybody,
Looking to see how different institutions have infused DEI in customer service training in engaging ways. Any programs, Youtube videos, etc??
Thank you!
Giana Panagiotakos

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Giana Panagiotakos
Assistant Director UCrossing Operations
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell MA
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Hello everyone!

Our ACUI CEO, John Taylor shared this article from Kennesaw State about Dana London joining the ACUI BoT!

ACUI has some amazing members, volunteers, and leaders. It’s a joy to celebrate and recognize them.

Congrats to Dana and the impact she is having on her campus and as part of the BoT.

Read about Dana London.
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Hello all!

Join us in September for the social justice seminar + hack-a-thon!?

Our speaker is Dr. Alvin Tillery. He is the founder and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern University. Dr. Tillery is an author, political science professor, speaker, and researcher focused on leadership and… Read more

Good morning and Happy Pride Month!

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion working group in conjunction with the LGBTQIA+ Community of Practice is looking for volunteers that would like to participate in a podcast about Pride on Thursday, June 23 at 11:00 am (Mountain). This is meant to be a very informal conversation, and we want to ensure there… Read more

Hello everyone!

I’ve read that the college union is the living room of the campus. That idea evokes images of comfort, ease, relaxation, and engaging conversation.? However, ongoing legislation in key states suggests that the type of conversation permitted in the living room is changing, rapidly. Florida, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and other states… Read more

Hello all,

This weekend was a mixture of joy, celebrating commencement ceremonies, and sadness in the aftermath of several shootings across the nation. Communities of color were shaken once again by gun violence. From Buffalo to Houston to Laguna Woods, so many communities lost loved ones to senseless acts of violence. As we try to process what…

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Hello everyone!

May is Asian-American & Pacific Island Heritage Month. I think it’s important to remember how and why we recognize these cultural markers. Who was behind the scenes supporting this change? What is the significance to our focus on DEI for students and professionals???

On May 4, 1979, the first 10 days of May were designated as … Read more

Hello everyone!

Did you that May is Mental Health Awareness Month?

According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, 1 in 5 students face mental health conditions. Nearly three-quarters of mental health conditions emerge by age 24, so many college students are facing mental health concerns for the first time, and may not know where to go… Read more

Hello everyone!

I consume a steady diet of media (podcasts, articles, research) on DEI, social justice, and race in America. This latest article from The Chronicle had me stuffed full as a holiday turkey. The writer unpacked recent legislative changes that affect DEI training in Iowa, Tennessee, Florida, and Oklahoma. This led to ask this group,… Read more

Hello DEI Community members.

Just dropping a note to make sure you know that content from the Annual Conference is now available under the Communities tab – look for “2022 Annual Conference.”

The 2022 Conference featured a full day of Social Justice topics, and we know that many of those session are valuable to our professional and personal… Read more

Hello everyone!

The March recognition of Women’s History Month has passed the torch to April. Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby will begin her tenure as president of UMBC on August 1, 2022. Appointed by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, Dr. Ashby has made history as the first Black woman to fill this esteemed position. She… Read more

Hello everyone!

The DEI Program Team is recruiting for members! If you’ve never volunteered, are new to ACUI (let’s connect!), or have five hours to spare each month, WE WANT YOU!

Fill out the application (it’s quick) or drop me a line. We are building the 2022 programming calendar in alignment with the strategic plan from the Board. At a… Read more

Hi all!

I hope you are doing well! I have a few questions for the group 🙂

1. What is your/your campus’ office name related to DEI work. (UML is currently Office of Multicultural Affairs).
2.? Why was that the name chosen?
3. How long has that been the office/dept. name?

Thanks!!

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Amy Liss
Director of… Read more