I am a LEADer Conference Schedule
SOLE and SPXCE are proud to present the 2nd annual virtual I am a LEADer (LEAD - Learning Equity And Diversity) diversity leadership conference.
Last year we had 161 students participate and gave out 30+ LEADer badges to students who completed at least 8 of the 21 workshops over the last 2 weeks of IAP.
To RSVP visit tiny.cc/RSVPiamaLEADer
Questions? Email iamaleader@mit.edu
JANUARY 24-28, 2022
1. Share the Space
2. Use “I” statements – speak from your individual perspective, rather than for a group.
3. Be open to hearing other points of view.
4. Listen respectfully and actively. Think about your next question, rather than your next statement.
5. Commit to learning, not debating. Critique ideas, not people.
6. Sit comfortably with silence.
7. What is said in the workshop stays in the workshop, but what is learned is shared! (in other words, protect the confidentiality of your discussions, while applying lessons elsewhere)
8. Acknowledge when harm has been done. Seek to engage in repair as a group.
MONDAY, JANUARY 24
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92341405088
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Presenter(s): I am a LEADer Staff
Description: Join us for the kickoff opening session of the I am a LEADer conference!
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94234782471
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Presenter(s): Lauryn McNair (she/they), Assistant Dean of Intercultural Engagement for LBGTQ+, Women and Gender Services
Description: What does it mean to "be more inclusive" when it comes to women's spaces? Do you expand upon what identities are included but still hold it as a women's space? Do you dismantle and rebuild so it's an all marginalized gender space? What language do you use? If you have these questions then you're not alone. Many women's groups are asking similar questions. Drop in if you'd like to be part of this conversation and work with one another about concerns, tips, and suggestions that has (and hasn't) worked.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Lauryn (she/they) collaborates with departments, administrators, and student groups to develop and implement educational, intersectional LGBTQ+ programs at MIT. Lauryn joins us after working at Babson College as the Multicultural and LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator. There, her programs spanned campus wide events such as the Multicultural Festival and heritage month celebrations to providing group education on leadership and identity, safe zone trainings, gender expansive trainings, and club support. In her intern roles, she advised first-generation college students and developed and facilitated programming for Trans and Gender Non-conforming communities throughout the Greater Boston area. McNair holds an MSW from Boston College School of Social Work with a macro concentration in family, youth, and children and a BA from Colgate University with a double major in sociology and Caribbean studies.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92109005958
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
Presenter(s): Nina DeAgrela (she/her), Assistant Dean of Intercultural Engagement for Multicultural Programs
Description: Join us for an opportunity to share and listen to your peers’ stories. Everyone will receive a prompt and be given uninterrupted time to share more about their experiences with identity
Presenter(s) Bio: As a first generation Portuguese-American, Nina has dedicated most of her time being an advocate for marginalized populations. Born and raised in southeastern Massachusetts, Nina's passion is connecting students to their purpose so that they “thrive, not just survive” their college years. Creating a sense of belonging and community is important to her personally and professionally. As a higher education professional for over a decade, she has experience working in residence life and housing, student conduct, new student orientation and diversity and inclusion. She advises a number of cultural student organizations and enjoys working directly with students leaders on new programs and initiatives. Nina joined MIT and the Intercultural Engagement team as the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Programs in October, 2018. She manages OMP's daily operations in addition to creating, implementing and assessing social justice programming and educational opportunities on campus.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/92803385628
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Presenter(s): Jacklyn Liberman (she/her), Associate Director of Student Activities and Leadership
Description: Empathy-building and self-reflection are critical skills for any social impact leader to develop, especially when they seek to serve people in their communities and the world. During this 1-hour workshop, you will begin to unravel your personal narrative, while learning how to build common ground amongst difference and how to build coalitions of change around social challenges you care about.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Jacklyn (she/her) serves as the Associate Director for Student Activities and Leadership Programs at the SOLE office at MIT. In this role she has the opportunity to manage a number of MIT’s premier leadership programs and initiatives and continue her passion for developing student leaders. Jacklyn received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in International Studies, and a master’s degree in Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution and Negotiations from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94538702204
Time: 4:00-5:00 pm
Presenter(s): Dr. Alma Jam (she/her), Assistant Director of Intercultural Engagement (OMP)
Description: This session will help inform attendees on the skills needed to successfully lead student groups or organizations in a virtual world. We will discuss effective ways of communicating without face-to-face interaction, development of high emotional intelligence to steer team empowerment, culture, collaboration and engagement, and maximizing your online tools and technical skills to lead efficiently.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Dr. Alma Jam serves as the Assistant Director for Multicultural Programs at MIT. Her passion for serving in higher education is driven by her quest to listen and understand students' lived experiences and how these conversations can inclusively represent and inform curriculum development, institutional policies/strategies, and administrative practice. As a practitioner with experience in event-driven programming and digital/web content design, Dr. Jam is thrilled to help midwife the shift of connection, engagement, and empowerment in such a revolutionary era for students at MIT. Her work's focus will be centered on the intention to boldly protect, engage and amplify student voices through inclusive diversity and equity education, programming, training, and research.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94506427822
Time: 8:00-9:00 pm
Presenter(s): DJ Rock
Description: Twerkout Workout: Ready to sweat? Ready to twerk your booty? Don’t know how to workout but want to learn how? We got you covered! The Twerkout Workout will be a high-intensity movement class. We’ll twerk and sweat to your favorite high energy hip-hop tracks, while adding moments of booty strengthening to grow your booty while we twerk it. And don’t worry - a twerktorial will be provided for anyone who doesn’t think they can twerk. This will be an ALL-LEVELS class, with options offered for people who are new to fitness or may have physical limitations. You do NOT need dance experience to join.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99396095537
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm
Presenter(s): Nina DeAgrela (she/her), Assistant Dean of Intercultural Engagement for Multicultural Programs
Description: Learn about implicit bias and microaggressions' impact on how we interact with our peers, friends and strangers. Take a deep dive to learn how to combat our internal biases and how to confront microaggressions when we see them.
Presenter(s) Bio:
As a first generation Portuguese-American, Nina (she/her) has dedicated most of her time being an advocate for marginalized populations. Born and raised in southeastern Massachusetts, Nina's passion is connecting students to their purpose so that they “thrive, not just survive” their college years. Creating a sense of belonging and community is important to her personally and professionally. As a higher education professional for over a decade, she has experience working in residence life and housing, student conduct, new student orientation and diversity and inclusion. She advises a number of cultural student organizations and enjoys working directly with students leaders on new programs and initiatives. Nina joined MIT and the Intercultural Engagement team as the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Programs in October, 2018. She manages OMP's daily operations in addition to creating, implementing and assessing social justice programming and educational opportunities on campus.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99715785348
Time: 3:00-4:30 pm
Presenter(s): Lauryn McNair (she/they), Assistant Dean of Intercultural Engagement for LBGTQ+, Women and Gender Services
Description: Join LBGTQ+ Services in holding space for queer and trans students of color. Where do you find community? What challenges and joys does yoru intersectional identities hold? What are you seeking and where are youu finding places to be your authentic self?
Presenter(s) Bio:
Lauryn (she/they) collaborates with departments, administrators, and student groups to develop and implement educational, intersectional LGBTQ+ programs at MIT. Lauryn joins us after working at Babson College as the Multicultural and LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator. There, her programs spanned campus wide events such as the Multicultural Festival and heritage month celebrations to providing group education on leadership and identity, safe zone trainings, gender expansive trainings, and club support. In her intern roles, she advised first-generation college students and developed and facilitated programming for Trans and Gender Non-conforming communities throughout the Greater Boston area. McNair holds an MSW from Boston College School of Social Work with a macro concentration in family, youth, and children and a BA from Colgate University with a double major in sociology and Caribbean studies.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/95732829738
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
Presenter(s): Liz Jason (she/her), Assistant Dean of FSILG and Jessica Morris (she/her), Assistant Director of FSILG
Description: All MIT students are welcome to join the micro chats. These micro chats are meant as opportunities to reflect with your peer on sessions that you’ve attended. This micro chat will be lead by staff in FSILG.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Liz serves as the Assistant Dean of Fraternities, Sororities and Independent Living Groups. In this role she advises the Interfraternity Council (IFC), as well as all of the organizations that fall under the IFC in order to better support student leadership initiatives. Liz is an active member of Kappa Delta Phi, National Affiliated Sorority. She received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine and received her M.S in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.
Jessica serves as the Assistant Director of Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups. In this role she advises the Panhellenic Association (Panhel), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and Independent Living Group Council (LGC), as well as the organizations that fall under each of those councils, to support MIT’s students in their leadership, goals, and initiatives. She received her B.A. in English from Lafayette College and her M.A. in Higher Education from Boston College. Jess is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, a huge fan of the Bachelor/ette, and loves to play the New York Times “Spelling Bee” daily.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94569409218
Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Presenter(s): Dr. Raul Fernandez
Presenter(s) Bio: https://www.raulspeaks.com
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99996058545
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Presenter(s): Larry Anderson, David H. Koch '62 Head Coach and Carol Matsuzaki, Head Coach
Description: All MIT students are welcome to join the micro chats. These micro chats are meant as opportunities to reflect with your peer on sessions that you’ve attended. This micro chat will be lead by staff in DAPER
Presenter(s) Bio:
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/98895440777
Time: 4:00-5:00 pm
Presenter(s): Danny Becker (he/his), Program Coordinator for Student Engagement & Outreach and Jacklyn Liberman (she/her), Associate Director of Student Activities and Leadership
Description: Join Danny Becker from the PKG Center for Public Service and Jacklyn Liberman from SOLE as they lead an intensive workshop on reflecting and understanding one’s power, privilege and biases.
Presenter(s) Bio:
As Program Coordinator, Danny (he/him) manages student engagement, outreach, and recruitment for the PKG Center’s programming. His role includes establishing and further developing partnerships with a range of MIT partners, departments, and student communities, as well as civic engagement opportunities for students! Danny graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Comparative Cultures & Politics and International Relations and has spent significant time learning about social, political, and identity-based challenges in Latin America and Israel. He is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work degree at Boston University’s School of Social Work.
Jacklyn (she/her) serves as the Associate Director for Student Activities and Leadership Programs at the SOLE office at MIT. In this role she has the opportunity to manage a number of MIT’s premier leadership programs and initiatives and continue her passion for developing student leaders. Jacklyn received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in International Studies, and a master’s degree in Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution and Negotiations from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/91257325514
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Presenter(s): David Shane Lowry, Distinguished Fellow in Native American Studies at MIT
Presenter(s) Bio:
David Shane Lowry is the Distinguished Fellow in Native American Studies at MIT. In this role, David is leading a new conversation about the responsibilities of MIT (and science/technology education, more generally) in the theft of American Indian land and the dismantling of American Indian health and community. Since 2013, David has lectured across the United States – roles in which he has become well versed in conversations at the intersection of race, (health) science & popular culture. His first book, titled Lumbee Pipelines (under contract with University of Nebraska Press), explores American Indian utilization of colonial conditions to create opportunities that are both uplifting and oppressive. His second book, titled Black Jesus, is an ethnography of Michael Jordan. (It began when David realized that he and Jordan shared the same anthropology advisor at UNC … 23 years apart.) He is always looking for a pick-up basketball game. David is a graduate of MIT (BS, 2007 [Class of 2003]) and UNC-Chapel Hill (MA, 2010 & PhD, 2012).”
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/94290241580
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Presenter(s): Nayaab Kazmi (she/her), Graduate Assistant LBGTQ+ Services
Description: In a world that doesn't always protect our mental health and wellbeing, it is important for us to come together as a community to focus on our inner self. Join this discussion to talk about ways to center wellbeing and mental health.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Nayaab Kazmi (she/her) is a current graduate student at Salem State University completing her Masters in Higher Education & Student Affairs. She currently serves as a Graduate Assistant within LBGTQ+ Services at MIT as well as the Wellbeing Graduate Resident Advisor for MacGregor House on campus. Nayaab attended the University of California Riverside and attained her B.S. in Business Administration & Accounting in 2018.
Zoom Link: CANCELLED
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99610518023
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm
Presenter(s): Bryan Bryson (he/him), Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering
Description: Join Dr. Bryan Bryson for a conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Presenter(s) Bio:
Bryan Bryson (he/him) is the Esther and Harold Edgerton Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering at MIT and a member of the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard. Bryan completed his undergraduate studies at MIT in mechanical engineering before obtaining a PhD in biological engineering also at MIT. After graduate school, Bryan went to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health where he trained with Sarah Fortune and became interested in new approaches to examine host pathogen interactions in TB infection. Bryan started his lab a little over three years ago where his lab focuses on bridging quantitative approaches to understand how the immune system eliminates deadly pathogens.
Zoom Link: https://mit.zoom.us/j/93712184949
Time: 4:00-5:00 pm
Description: You won't want to miss the program that we have scheduled for this closing session! We will hear from Keywuan J. Caulk (he/him) curator of affirming space, and a dynamic, hope-instiling speaker! We also have amazing giveaways but you must be present to win!