University and External Events

September 30, 2021

Women in the Workforce: Leading Inclusively. Driving Change.

Join Mount Saint Mary’s Center for the Advancement of Women, Center for Equity, Diversity and Justice and more than 400 professional women for our annual conference featuring inspiring keynotes, powerful workshops and engaging panels with industry leaders who have mastered what it means to be an inclusive leader. Get ready to explore what it means to create inclusive workplaces, learn how your experience can be leveraged to make positive change, and the tools that will help you become a more inclusive leader. As we imagine a more rewarding and productive future of work, prioritizing inclusivity and belonging in our workplaces and communities is more important than ever.

Lily Zheng

Every day, more people wake up to the growing need for real progress on social issues of gender, race, class, ability, and more. Yet, while avenues for taking action seem to be everywhere — taking an unconscious bias training, signing a petition, sharing a post — we more often than not still worry that our allyship and advocacy is superficial. Of course, driving real social change is easier said than done. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategist and author Lily Zheng will share with us new ways of understanding and contextualizing our aspirations as allies, and how each and every one of us can channel their inner DEI practitioner to make effective change.

Joanna Bloor and Connie Chan Wang

In the past year, we have experienced major shifts in the workplace which have led to the “Great Resignation” and the “She-session” with record numbers of women leaving their jobs or seeking new ones. Women everywhere are considering “what’s next for me?” We need women in leadership roles across all industries to build the inclusive workplace we envision. But, you also have to consider that every decision made about you and your opportunities are made in a room you’re not in. So how do you position yourself effectively and communicate your value and potential? How do you articulate the Future You to your organization or to a new role you are pursuing? Join us in conversation with Joanna Bloor and Connie Chan Wang to learn about how to focus on the Future You to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Chinako Miyamoto Belanger, Betsabe Botaitis, Rekha Chiruvolu, Sharon Evans, and Maria Shelton

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges and opportunities to building workplaces and spaces that are inclusive. We know that leaders are asking themselves how they can create organizations where individuals can bring their full, authentic selves to work. In this panel, industry leaders will share their innovative approaches to inclusivity issues and how we can facilitate the transformational cultural shifts that are required for all of us to thrive.

September 24, 2020

From the global pandemic to racial injustice, 2020 has challenged communities across the country. And yet, women continue to rise. They are meeting the moment by organizing, learning and collectively working together to secure a better tomorrow. A more equitable future is in our hands and it’s up to each one of us to #BeTheChange.

Join the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University for our annual conference featuring conversations and workshops that will inspire you to take action.

Zulema Garcia, Ann McElaney-Johnson, Suzanne Walsh and Meredith Woo

The events of 2020 – COVID-19, a crippled economy, and racial injustice – have compelled us to look for strong leaders. On the global stage, for example, we know that women-led nations have generally handled the pandemic more successfully than male-led nations. This may speak to inclusive political institutions and values. Women’s university and college presidents have fostered inclusive environments that allow young women to thrive and grow their leadership potential. Join four women’s university and college presidents from around the country to discuss women’s leadership, engagement, and how to prepare the next generation of leaders for new challenges.

Emerald Archer and Lori Nishiura Mackenzie

While US opinion polls have shown a steady decline in racist views over several decades, recent events have shown us that systemic racism and overt acts of racism are still pervasive throughout our country. Explicit racism may be easier to identify, but implicit bias may be playing a larger role. Join us for a deep dive into implicit bias, how it shows up in our daily lives, and what we can do as individuals and communities to guard against it.

Kimberly Nao, Melina Abdullah, Ngoc Nguyen and Rachel O'Leary Carmona

Women are at the forefront of demanding change in our current culture – from Black Lives Matter, to Times Up, #metoo and the Women’s March. Join social justice leaders from the front lines to discuss the successes and challenges they face, and how they stay on course to achieve their goals and mission.

Cleo Wade and JoAnna Novak

Join JoAnna Novak, Associate Professor in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Mount Saint Mary’s University in conversation with Cleo Wade.  Cleo is a friend, community builder, and the author of the bestselling books, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life and Where to Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Change. She has been called the poet of her generation by Time Magazine and one of the 100 most creative people in business by Fast Company.

Assistant Professor of Film, Mary Trunk will guide you through a selection of her films to reveal how the very personal stories she tells intersect with larger ethical and social issues. 

Friday, June 12, 2021

An Unstoppable Campaign for Mount Saint Mary’s University was the most ambitious comprehensive campaign in the Mount’s history. The campaign expanded academic programs, funded vital scholarships, and allowed us to turn the vision of a Wellness Center into reality. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this campaign.

April 29, 2021
Bob Perrins, PhD

Bob Perrins, PhD, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs presented a history of the 1900-1904 bubonic plague outbreak in California noting the many similarities that exist between this earlier public health crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.

July 30, 2020 – Mindful Moments Series
Elena Brower

How do we find peace and understanding amidst the pace and chaos of this time? How do we find a sense of healing and moments of true joy? Finding happiness in times of healing can only happen through compassion, for self and other. Watch as we explored solutions for individual and collective healing, focusing on compassion in your body, your family and your community. We addressed and refined our daily rituals and practiced meditation as true medicine.

November 19, 2020 – Mindful Moments Series
Jacqui Burge

Our lives have shifted dramatically since the pandemic. Whether you are living solo and working remotely or have a full house and need to go into an office, let’s explore ways to create that elusive work life balance through movement practices, stress reducing techniques, self-care routines, and tips to stay connected with colleagues and our families.