Creating A Collaborative Community for 100% Diverse Campuses
Diversity and multiculturalism have been buzzwords on campuses for decades as part of a movement to include underrepresented voices in higher education. As campuses have grown more pluralistic, colleges have realized that including varied voices isn’t so black and white. Instead of counting the percentages of so-called “minorities,” colleges must realize that their campuses are 100% diverse. Students today come from a variety of backgrounds, each with unique perspectives: economic, cultural, sexual, regional and international.
These terms have also been unpopular because they have tended to cause more division along race and gender lines. Several CAMPUSPEAK speakers share tips and messages nationwide on college campuses each year that celebrate diversity. These speakers encourage students to build healthy and collaborative college communities.
SHANE WINDMEYER
No single person has done more to bring to light the critical issues facing the LGBT community members on college campuses than Shane. He is the founder of Campus Pride, the premier national organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. Shane has devoted years to building up LGBT student leader and their allies at campuses nationwide. He is constantly challenging college and universities to step up with fair practices and resources. Shane understands the ever-shifting complexities of LGBT topics, so he takes an interactive, humorous approach that moves everyone closer to a more supportive, encouraging community.
“ A third of LGBT college students consider leaving their institution because of discrimination, so it’s important for young people to come out and to find support, a once you do come out, to find that you are not alone, “ says Shane.
BRIAN C. JOHNSON
Brian uses clips from popular films to address critical issues facing college students today: diversity, social justice, bullying and building strong communities through enhanced cross-cultural relationships. Students love the movie clips Brian customizes for each visit, and he inspires critical conversations on important issues in a fun, interactive way. His newest keynote addresses bullying and how a campus community can come together to understand this phenomenon and change it. When Brian visits your campus, student leaders will enjoy an all-inclusive experience—reminding us all about the power of mutual respect in relationship, affirming others and fostering common unity.
“The more we meet in the middle in growing a community, the greater the likelihood that we can build something really powerful in this society, and our differences don’t have to be destructive and conflict needn’t be negative, “ says Brian.
ELAINE PENN
Pulling from her experiences as a campus professional, coach and musician, Elaine weaves discussion, stories and music into her interactive keynotes and workshops. Elaine challenges students to step up, identify and eliminate stereotypes of all kinds in their campus community. Students will see how stereotypes create walls and limit their experiences and relationships. They will be challenged to build “intentionally inclusive” communities by being aware of the diversity issues that still exist on their campus and in the world, treating others with respect, and moving beyond differences like race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status and ability.
“Student leaders need to learn to embrace diversity now, because employers are not just looking for people who can work in diverse environments but for people who can lead diverse environments,” says Elaine.
TJ LEYDEN
After nearly two decades as a neo-Nazi organizer, soldier and recruiter, TJ experienced a profound change of heart, turned away from hate and became the nation’s most unique advocate for tolerance, understanding and social justice. Today, the man who once covered his body in Nazi symbols has become one of the nation’s leading experts on the lessons of hatred. If it sounds intense, it is—and it’s absolutely different from any other campus program you’ve sponsored on race, bias and prejudice.
“If you changed a kid’s life for the better by being a positive mentor and an active anti-racist, you don’t know how many thousands of people you have saved from hurt,” says TJ.
Visit campuspeak.com, or simply click on the speakers names above, to learn more about how we can help make your campus a more supportive community for all students.
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