Social Justice Commons^™

Belonging In Unashamed Authenticity, Nathan R. Kitchen

Together We RISE (Making Excellence Inclusive)

In 2020, the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute reported that 47% of LGBTQ adults were moderately or highly religious. This equates to 5.3 million religious LGBTQ adults in America. We cannot ignore this population.

When making the transition into young adulthood, many religious LGBTQ youth feel they must make a choice between their spiritual well-being or their queerness. As a university community interested in the success of the rising generation, we can provide support for religious queer young adults through understanding:

1. What is happening in this transition and why,

2. The well-being needs of religious queer young adults …

The Connections Center At Marion Technical College: Addressing Students' Non Cognitive (Academic) Needs., Primrose Igonor

Together We RISE (Making Excellence Inclusive)

Post secondary educational institutions are increasingly becoming aware of how non cognitive (academic) barriers can and in too many cases do impact student success negatively. This presentation will focus on how Marion Technical College has addressed this issue. The presenter will discuss how a food pantry and clothing closet were created. She will also discuss the role of a student resource navigator in helping address non cognitive barriers.

Culturally Responsive Teaching: Inclusive, Engaging, And Effective Instructional Strategies, Alexis Jones, Amy Davis

Together We RISE (Making Excellence Inclusive)

Illinois’ Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, approved by the Illinois State Board of Education in March 2021, will be part of teacher education programs throughout the state by the end of the 2022-2023 school year. To this end, we want to provide practical strategies for reflecting on teacher preparation coursework and incorporating the CRTLS in our work with preservice teachers. We will provide a quick review of the content within the standards, but most of the time will be spent on specific examples of what teacher education classrooms might look like with the CRTLS embedded.

Promoting Belonging And Equity Through Course Content., Primrose Igonor

Together We RISE (Making Excellence Inclusive)

As our education systems become increasingly diverse, it is crucial for “diverse” students to see themselves reflected in the course materials they consume as this may lead to higher persistence, retention and overall student success. It is also vital for “non-diverse” students to gain a better understanding of the experiences of others particularly as they navigate a world which is much more diverse and global minded than ever before.