MOSAIIC Conference brings Central Kentucky colleges, universities together
Transylvania and its partners in the Central Kentucky Diversity Consortium will come together for the 2018 Multicultural Opportunities, Strategies and Institutional Inclusiveness – or MOSAIIC – conference. The two-day event kicks off at Transy Nov. 29 with a day of presentations and an interactive experience on the realities of poverty.
“The MOSAIIC Conference is a wonderful opportunity for Transylvania University. This conference focuses on diversity, inclusion and equity, but also challenges people to open their minds,” said Taran McZee, Transylvania’s associate vice president for diversity and inclusion. “I’m excited and I look forward to faculty, staff and students representing Transy at the conference.”
MOSAIIC brings faculty, staff and students from the Central Kentucky Diversity Consortium, a group of five colleges and universities, together with community members for candid discussions on inclusion. Partners include Transylvania, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), Berea College, Centre College and Kentucky State University.
“It is important to keep not only the dialogue open, but our minds as well, and think about how we all can be part of the solution to overcome bias, prejudices and bigotry that exist in our communities,” said Charlene Walker, vice president for multiculturalism and inclusion at BCTC. “This year’s conference is a must for those who are ready for the ‘hard conversations’ that recognize where well-meaning attempts at equality have resulted in unequal outcomes.”
To open the conference at Transy on Nov. 29, Gilbert Singletary will address attendees. Singletary is an international speaker, community advocate and the dean of the College of Health Professions at Chamberlain University in Illinois. No stranger to Lexington, Singletary holds a a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Kentucky, a J.D. and an MBA from Northern Kentucky University, and a master’s in social work from the University of Louisville.
That afternoon, Community Action Council and BCTC’s Ready to Work students will host a poverty simulation, an interactive immersion experience. The simulation sensitizes community participants to the realities of poverty.
“Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. The Community Action poverty simulation bridges that gap from misconception to understanding,” Walker explained. “This is not a game but an experience. It is based on real Community Action clients and their lives.”
The Nov. 29-30 conference and its events at Transy are free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required. Follow this link to register online for the 2018 MOSAIIC Conference.