UHCL President's Speaker Series spotlights diversity-related topics in higher ed, corporate America
Held once a semester, the President’s Speaker Series at University of Houston-Clear Lake focuses upon the most critical educational, social, environmental and technical challenges facing higher education and communities. The Fall 2022 installment of the series, presented in a panel discussion format, will take place Friday, Nov. 4 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Bayou Theater, with accessibility on Zoom.
The discussion is entitled, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility From the Classroom to the Workplace: Are Higher Education, Human Resources, and Corporate America in Synch?”
The panel of speakers includes President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.; retired Human Resources director and Organizational Development Consultant for NASA-JSC Natalie Saiz; and University of Southern California’s Professor of Management, and Founder and Director for the Race and Equity Center Shaun Harper.
“SDEIA is critical for both higher education and corporate American for many of the same reasons,” said UHCL President Richard Walker. “First, the demographics of this nation has changed dramatically over the last several decades, and therefore the faculty and staff must reflect its student base and community. Second, equity and inclusion are business practices and strategies that the most successful organizations follow, irrespective of sector.”
Walker added that accommodation simply makes those who are already productive even more so, with little to no cost to the organization. “In a nutshell, maintaining an SDEIA organizational focus is good business as well as the right thing to do,” he said.
The topic of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility is becoming more important, especially in classrooms and work environments. The speakers will address the question of whether higher education, human resources, and corporate America are in synch with the changes that result from increasing diversity in those areas. Journalist Linda Lorelle will moderate the discussion.
The discussion will be followed by a meet-and-greet opportunity with the speakers at 3 p.m. The event is free of charge. To register, go online.