Inclusive Excellence Conference

We are honored to have Dr. Russell Morrow, Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, lead the discussion as the facilitator for the faculty panel. Dr. Morrow brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in diversity and inclusion, making him the perfect guide for our conversation.

Edmond Y. Chang, Ph.D.- Associate Professor in English at Ohio University

Dr. Chang's recent publications include “A Game Chooses, A Player Obeys: BioShock, Posthumanism, and the Limits of Queerness” and "Playing as Making." Dr. Chang's scholarly focus includes 20/21C American Literature, Queer/Queer Theory, Digital Culture/Video Game Studies, Posthuman Narratives, and Popular Culture.

Purba Das, Ph.D.- Professor on the Southern Campus in Communication Studies at Ohio University

Dr. Das’ research employs a critical approach in the field of intercultural communication in understanding the problematics of nations, national identity, race, caste, media, and health narratives in marginalized populations in India and the USA. Dr. Das has published in journals such as Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, Journal of Intercultural Communication Research and Asian Journal of Communication.

Uzoma Miller, Ph.D.- Assistant Professor of Instruction and Undergraduate Advising Coordinator in African American Studies at Ohio University

Dr. Miller holds a B.A. in History from Morehouse College, a M.A. in Political Science from Jackson State University, and a Ph.D. in Transformative Inquiry from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Presenter: Jillian Phillips

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• Description: Working in a college student affairs brings multiple generations together for one common good: to serve and uplift students. In this presentation, we will discuss the five generations currently at work and the “sticking points” that either bring them together or cause them to fall apart.
• Bio: Jillian Phillips is the Associate Director of Residence Life at Ohio University. She proudly identifies as a Kentuckian, Appalachian, and first-generation college graduate. As a breakaway learner, she uses her experiences and identities to influence her approach to student success and staff engagement. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two cats.

Presenter: Jonah Heintzleman

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• Description: This presentation will go over the basics on how to make your presentation more accessible - making it colorblind friendly, what font sizes to use, etc. Attendees will also be connected with different resources for future learning on this topic.
• Bio: Jonah Heintzleman is the Resident Director for Wilson Hall on West Green. Jonah is an OHIO alum with a Masters in Education from the College Student Personnel program. Jonah enjoys long walks on the bike path, his cats, and the garden burger at Eclipse.

Presenter: Chris Medrano Graham

• Bio: Chris Medrano Graham is from Miami, FL, and attended the University of Florida receiving both her Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Secondary Education and Master of Education degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education. She started her PhD at Indiana University and will be complete her degree sooner rather than later. Chris was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. where she served on the National Board as Director of Expansion, and National President for 3 terms. She also served as the National President of the National Multicultural Greek Council for 2 terms.
• Description: This presentation will look at the historical underpinnings of the creation of fraternities and sororities and how their establishment is closely intertwined with both American and Higher Education History. We will explore their relevance and and purpose in the 21st Century.

Presenter: Myke Block

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• Bio: Currently, a resident director for Housing and Residence Life and a doctoral student in the Patton College of Education.
• Description: Today's session will be about building a strong team using a couple of personality tests and learning more about EQ and IQ how this is important in working as a team. Also, this session will help you gain more insight about yourself and how your strengths can support your peers/colleagues.

Presenter: Jim Sand, Hope Worstell, Mac Stricklen

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• Bio: Jim Sand has worked in student affairs for thirty-nine years, most of that time in residence life. Helping students and staff deal with conflict, educating students on social justice issues and leadership development were major components of Jim’s work. Retiring from higher education after working the past thirty years at Ohio University, Jim got involved with Athens Area Mediation Service (AAMS) during the fall of 2019. Jim returned to working for Housing and Residence Life at Ohio University in December of 2021 but has continued to do some volunteer work for AAMS.
• Hope Worstell has worked as a Resident Director at Ohio University for two years now. Although Hope's career has just begun, she has become an enthusiastic Residence Life professional who is always looking for ways to help students develop holistically outside of the traditional classroom! Hope's passion areas are strongly linked to her interest in college students’ mental health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work! Along with being a Resident Director, Hope currently serves as the co-chair for the Ohio University, Housing and Residence Life Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, as well as oversees the LGBT experiential living opportunity within a residential community on campus.
• Mac Stricklen has worked in conflict resolution and mediation in various roles over the years and is currently the ombudsperson for Ohio University, a board member and volunteer mediator for Athens Area Mediation Service.
• Description: In "My Grandmother's Hands", Resmaa Menakem describes white-body racism as a form of trauma that both Black people and white people carry in their bodies. In the first part of this two-part program, the presenters will explore the concepts of racism as trauma. The conversation will look at origins of that trauma, how it has been passed down, and the impacts of that trauma. The second part of the program will give participants an opportunity to practice some techniques offered by Menakem to mend our trauma and create room for growth.

Presenter: Terra Smith

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• Description: Panel discussion on the impacts of House Bill 68 and the governor's executive orders on banning transgender affirming care.
• Bio: Terra Smith is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor (LPCC-S) with a Masters degree in clinical counseling from The Ohio State University. She has worked in mental health field for over 15 years and taught as an adjunct professor with the University of Dayton. Her previous experience includes working in private practice with adults and adolescents. She spent 10 years helping adults from all backgrounds dealing with job loss issues. She also has worked with adolescents who were dealing with a range of mental health issues including ADHD, anxiety, trauma, ODD and mood disorders. Terra often utilizes cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy in her approach and specializes in working with mood disorders, anxiety disorders and career counseling. She is strongly interested in equity and social justice and how systems of inequity impact mental health. She enjoys spending time with her loving family, children, writing, reading and podcasting.
• Michelle completed her counseling psychology doctoral program at Michigan State University and a psychology internship at Colorado State University counseling center. Before coming to Ohio University she worked at the Louisiana Tech University counseling center. She is a multicultural, feminist therapist who has specialized in working in a university setting. Her interests and expertise include women's issues, LGBTIQA+ issues, trans affirmative therapy, group therapy, trauma work, working with student athletes and students with identified learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD, peer mentoring, and clinical training and supervision. She co-led the sexual assault survivor's group for 10 years and has co-led Spectrum since 2016. She worked as the group therapy coordinator for 4 years at CPS before becoming the training director. Michelle was the training director for 8 years.Currently, Michelle is a staff member working on balancing her passions for clinical work, supervision, advocacy and social justice, and self-care. When she’s not at work, you can find Michelle hiking, kayaking, doing yoga, knitting, gardening, crafting, or listening to esoteric podcasts.

Presenter: Jonah Heintzleman

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• Description: This presentation will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn more about themselves, how to convey their communication preferences and styles to others, and adjust to meet the needs of those they are engaging with.
• Bio: Jonah Heintzleman is the Resident Director for Wilson Hall on West Green. Jonah is an OHIO alum with a Masters in Education from the College Student Personnel program. Jonah enjoys long walks on the bike path, his cats, and the garden burger at Eclipse.

Presenter: Chris Medrano Graham

• Description: We will visit the historical reason why historically black and brown fraternal organizations engage specific traditions in their new member education processes.
• Bio: Chris Medrano Graham is from Miami, FL, and attended the University of Florida receiving both her Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Secondary Education and Master of Education degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education. She started her PhD at Indiana University and will be complete her degree sooner rather than later. Chris was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Gamma Eta Sorority, Inc. where she served on the National Board as Director of Expansion, and National President for 3 terms. She also served as the National President of the National Multicultural Greek Council for 2 terms.

Presenter: Chris Owens

• Description: Housing and Residence Life is embarking on a master plan focused at serving Bobcats of today and the future while respecting traditions and history of the university. In this session, see how relationships are being built with various partners and stakeholders for the new construction phase of the project. Various considerations for inclusivity will be discussed in relation to the design of the new construction and housing facilities in general moving forward. Session will include trends on national design trends to provide more welcoming living environments to meet student needs.
• Bio: Chris builds and maintains cohesive relationships with campus partners to create spaces where students can engage, learn, and thrive in the Ohio University housing portfolio. Chris is part of variety of student-centered housing capital projects that include renovation, new construction, public private partnerships, and master planning.
• Prior to Ohio, Chris was at Eastern Kentucky University serving as the Assistant Director of Housing Facility Operations, responsible for departmental maintenance, custodial and capital planning initiatives for a housing portfolio including traditional, suite-style, and apartment-style facilities. Prior to serving in this leadership role, Chris had experience serving as a Senior Housing Officer, providing leadership, vision, and direction to a residence life program.

Presenter: Jim Sand, Hope Worstell, Mac Stricklen

• Bio: Jim Sand has worked in student affairs for thirty-nine years, most of that time in residence life. Helping students and staff deal with conflict, educating students on social justice issues and leadership development were major components of Jim’s work. Retiring from higher education after working the past thirty years at Ohio University, Jim got involved with Athens Area Mediation Service (AAMS) during the fall of 2019. Jim returned to working for Housing and Residence Life at Ohio University in December of 2021 but has continued to do some volunteer work for AAMS.
• Hope Worstell has worked as a Resident Director at Ohio University for two years now. Although Hope's career has just begun, she has become an enthusiastic Residence Life professional who is always looking for ways to help students develop holistically outside of the traditional classroom! Hope's passion areas are strongly linked to her interest in college students’ mental health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work! Along with being a Resident Director, Hope currently serves as the co-chair for the Ohio University, Housing and Residence Life Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, as well as oversees the LGBT experiential living opportunity within a residential community on campus.
• Mac Stricklen has worked in conflict resolution and mediation in various roles over the years and is currently the ombudsperson for Ohio University, a board member and volunteer mediator for Athens Area Mediation Service.
• Description: In "My Grandmother's Hands", Resmaa Menakem describes white-body racism as a form of trauma that both Black people and white people carry in their bodies. In the first part of this two-part program, the presenters will explore the concepts of racism as trauma. The conversation will look at the origins of that trauma, how it has been passed down, and the impacts of that trauma. The second part of the program will give participants an opportunity to practice some techniques offered by Menakem to mend our trauma and create room for growth.