Conference Information

On October 3-4, 2013, Wright State University will host the Diversity in the Multicultural Millennium Conference. The conference is an annual, statewide conference that explores diversity issues in higher education and its impact on the broader community. Wright State University’s Diversity Conference began as Quest for Community in 2001. In 2013, it will take a new form, exploring diversity challenges and promising practices in a modern multicultural context. The purpose of the conference is to bring together students, faculty, staff, and community members to encourage commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion. 

Conference Theme

The 2013 conference theme is “Affirmative Action: 52 Years of Debate.”  The conference should address issues related to the following questions:

• What is affirmative action?
• What are the pros and/or cons of taking proactive steps to address the lasting impact of past discrimination?
• How do we create welcoming environments in our workplaces for people who have historically not been present there?
• What new leadership paradigms are needed to effectively manage a diverse workplace?
• How do we teach all students well regardless of their backgrounds?
• What strategies can we employ to eliminate the achievement gap?
• How do we retain and graduate more students of color?
• How do we prepare diverse populations to help fill anticipated openings in the areas of technology, science and math?
• What methods of collaboration have been effective in inviting underrepresented communities to partner with educational institutions to increase student success? 
• What have been the benefits and challenges of affirmative action (broadly defined) over the past 52 years?
• What policies and practices have you implemented in response to the current court ruling?     

Proposal Criteria

• All proposals will be peer-reviewed and screened in a blind process. Information that would identify presenters or their affiliations should only be included on the first page of the application, not in the proposal abstract or narrative.
• All successful proposals will have a connection to the 2013 theme and will present new perspectives to understanding diversity and community in higher education. Proposals that offer concrete steps or an action plan for positive change are encouraged.
• The Selection Committee welcomes proposals related to any dimension of diversity including—but not limited to—multiculturalism, race/ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, disability, age, and access to higher education.
• All proposals should be typed, with all fields answered.
• Proposals may be papers, presentations, workshops, performances, or other creative modes of promoting the education and acceptance of diversity in an academic environment.
• Proposals may be submitted by individuals or groups composed of students, faculty, staff, community members, and other combined groups.
• Presenters must register as conference attendees. Online registration will be available starting May 1, 2013.
• Priority will be given to proposals that offer unique perspectives around the 2013 theme. The Selection Committee will work to ensure that accepted topics represent a broad range of subjects and multiple institutions of higher education. All presentations will be 50 minutes in duration.

Proposal Submission

1. Download a presentation application (PDF) online »
2. All proposals must be received by Friday, May 10, 2013.
3. Proposals may be submitted via email as a Word or PDF attachment to Mai Nguyen at mai.nguyen@wright.edu. They may also be faxed to Mai’s attention at (937) 775-2692 or mailed to:

Mai Nguyen
Wright State University
AHNA Center
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435-0001

MM13 Call for Proposals (PDF)
MM13 Proposal Application (PDF)