Aspiring Social Justice Ally Development luncheon discussion is Oct. 29
The Department of Campus and Residence Life, STAR, Dean of Students, Luann Dummer Center for Women, Campus Ministry, Tutor Mentor Program, and the USG Student Diversity Relations Committee invite faculty and staff to an Aspiring Social Justice Ally Development lunch and discussion.
Presenting will be Dr. Keith Edwards, a national leader in diversity and social justice education. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, in Room 100, McNeely Hall.
Dr. Keith Edwards
Participants will discuss an aspiring ally identity development model as a possible framework for developing more effective allies. Individuals who are supportive of social justice efforts are not always effective in their anti-oppression efforts. Some who genuinely aspire to act as social justice allies are harmful, ultimately, despite their best intentions, perpetuating the system of oppression they seek to change.
Different underlying motivations of those who aspire to be allies can lead to differences in effectiveness, consistency, outcome and sustainability. The conceptual model presented here, using underlying motivation to frame the different issues and challenges facing those who are aspiring allies, is offered as a tool for social justice educators' self-reflection and the development of students as allies for social justice.
This session particularly should benefit individuals seeking to develop their own ally behavior and those seeking a conceptual model to help inform the development of potential allies into true allies for social justice.
Edwards has presented at more than 30 colleges and universities across the country, been invited to present at numerous national conferences, conducted multiple research projects, and written several articles on diversity and social justice issues. He recently founded and served as chair of the American College Personnel Association's Commission for Social Justice Educators.
Edwards received his B.A. degree in social studies and an education minor and teaching license from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. He also earned his M.S. degree in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University. He recently received his Ph.D. from the College Student Personnel Administration Program with a concentration in social justice education from the University of Maryland, where he completed his dissertation on "College Men's Gender Identity Development."
He has worked in Greek life, residence life and academic affairs in addition to teaching high school, undergraduate and graduate courses in diversity and social justice. He is the director of campus life at Macalester College, where he oversees the areas of residence life, campus programs, orientation and student conduct.
To attend, register with an e-mail to Tasia Tigue by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24.
