Improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives Through the Application of Strategic Management Concepts
Brief Abstract
There have been impressive advances in the development and application of educational technologies that have made online education more inclusive of previously marginalized populations. Similarly, there has been impressive work in the development of processes, templates, and tools to render course content design and delivery more responsive to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Unfortunately, advancements in the strategic management of DEI have not been the same. Many DEI initiatives at educational institutions respond to mandates, requirements, or grassroots efforts, limiting the scope and impact they could have. The development and implementation of DEI strategy should reflect on specific institutional considerations, including resources, capabilities, and constraints. Join us for a conversation about strategic management frameworks and how they can be used to frame DEI planning and implementation at your institution. We will explore DEI strategy formulation using examples from two very different institutional contexts: A large Latin American university and two small US-based colleges. Through the discussions, participants will be able to outline an action plan for improving DEI strategy and DEI strategy implementation plans so that they reflect their specific institutional contexts within the context of DEI work.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
There have been impressive advances in the development and application of educational technologies that have made online education more inclusive of previously marginalized populations. Similarly, there has been impressive work in the development of processes, templates, and tools to render course content design and delivery more responsive to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While many technical DEI tools are available for instruction and course design, fewer solutions have been developed to bring tools to bear and to move DEI effectively and efficiently from discussions to organizational action. To work, the development and implementation of DEI strategy needs to integrate specific institution-specific conditions, including resources, capabilities, and constraints. For example, Is DEI a dotted-line relationship, or is there formal authority in the organizational structure? What is the relationship between DEI and the organization’s culture? What are the institutional definitions and goals for DEI at the outset? What are the human and other resources being allocated to DEI? Is DEI based on academic departments, instructional design, student services, or other? DEI can be furthered across all conditions, but the strategy and implementation plan need to integrate answers to the above and other questions in order to maximize the likelihood of real gains, institutional engagement, and action -versus frustration and disengagement by faculty and staff, and leadership.
Join us for an engaging conversation about strategic management concepts/frameworks and how they can be used to frame DEI planning and implementation at your institution. We will explore DEI strategy formulation using examples from two very different institutional contexts: A large Latin American university and two small US-based colleges. Strategic management concepts that will be examined include articulating purpose and values; internal and external environment analysis (e.g., internal factors); strategy formulation; factors that drive the implementation plan (e.g., organizational structure and leadership); and control and feedback (e.g., metrics, timeline design).
Through the discussions, participants will be able to outline an action plan for improving DEI strategy and DEI strategy implementation plans so that they reflect their specific institutional contexts within the context of DEI work.
Level of participation
Facilitators will engage the audience using insights, prompts, and polls to guide discussions. Participants will engage in individual and collective exercises to explore DEI as they share their experiences and lessons learned.
Session goals
After the session, participants will be more familiarized with strategic management concepts and tools. They will also have a better understanding of their role in supporting the success of DEI initiatives. In addition, participants will look at the challenges and solutions from the perspectives of different stakeholders (staff members, faculty, and students) at their institutions and others. Lastly, participants will leave with a toolkit, including a framework, glossary of terms in plain language, key questions, and resources that they can use to ask key questions, frame discussions, and engage colleagues at their institutions to advance DEI goals.
SPEAKERS
Rolando J. Mendez, M.A.C., is the Institutional Director of Online Academic and Student Services at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. He is a learning experience designer, manager, and facilitator, helping organizations create sustainable, scalable, inclusive, and user-centered practices to leverage knowledge and learning. Rolando has over a decade of experience designing, improving, and managing online programs, processes, and services. He specializes in training and development, instructional design, content creation, inclusive practices, and change-management processes. He is an advocate for accessibility, equity, and inclusion in online learning practices.
Alexandria Mills, M.A. is a Senior Instructional Designer at Los Angeles Pacific University. Currently a doctoral student at George Fox University, with a concentration in instructional design and development. Alexandria is interested in how learners can have an effective, engaging, motivated learning community through integrated multicultural curriculum design approaches and frameworks.
William Prado, D.B.A. William (Bill) Prado has over 15 years of experience in online education, including in administration, instruction, and course and curriculum design. He teaches sustainable business and other management subjects and has served as Dean of Graduate and Online Programs at Green Mountain College and at Prescott College. Currently, Bill is the Director of the MBA in Sustainability Leadership and Sustainability Management programs at Prescott College. He’s designed business courses and curricula for Green Mountain College, Prescott College, and for higher education clients of the publishers Cengage and Pearson. He also serves on the Institutional Advisory Committee of NC-SARA and is an OLC volunteer. Bill’s work in education is informed by a focus on BIPOC and marginalized students’ success, including integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion dimensions rooted in his experience as a first-generation American Latinx and also as a first-generation college graduate.