This webinar will explore the intersection of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Competency-Based Education (CBE) and its relevance in the educational community. This topic is profoundly relevant to the educational community for several compelling reasons. Firstly, the pursuit of DEI in education is a moral imperative, fostering social justice and equality. Inclusivity ensures that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have access to quality education and opportunities for success. Secondly, CBE, as an innovative pedagogical approach, offers a framework where the principles of DEI can be effectively integrated, leading to enhanced learning outcomes and student success. Combining these two paradigms can revolutionize education by addressing disparities, promoting engagement, and fostering lifelong learning.
Attendees will gain insights into the transformative potential of DEI within CBE, with a focus on practical takeaways to foster inclusive and equitable learning environments. Anonymized, real-world case studies showcasing how institutions have successfully integrated DEI principles into CBE programs will be presented. At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will be provided with a toolkit of actionable takeaways, resources, and best practices to implement DEI within their CBE programs.
Key Takeaways:
- A Deeper Understanding: Participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the critical intersection between DEI and CBE, including why this intersection is essential for creating inclusive learning environments.
- Practical Strategies: Attendees will acquire practical strategies for integrating DEI principles into CBE, ensuring that learners from diverse backgrounds receive equitable opportunities and support.
- Anonymized Case Studies: Real-world, anonymized case studies will illustrate how other institutions successfully incorporate DEI into their CBE programs, providing inspiration and guidance.
- Next Steps: Attendees will leave with a toolkit of actionable takeaways, resources, and best practices for initiating or advancing DEI initiatives within CBE programs.
Intended Audience:
Administrators and faculty
Please Note: While attending the webinar live is free for OLC members and non-members, on-demand recordings will be available post-webinar for Professional and Institutional Members only. Consider becoming an OLC member for access to these and many other great benefits!
Speaker Bio
Sarah Skudin Evans, Ed.DSenior Manager, Evaluation at Western Governors University
Dr. Sarah Skudin is a dedicated leader with a passion for serving underserved populations in an online environment. Before entering the field of Education, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology where she spent her free time tutoring inner-city K12 students. In 2010, Dr. Skudin began her career path at Western Governors University in the Evaluation department assessing student coursework in Mathematics. This position led her into leadership within Evaluation working to ensure students were being supported and faculty had a safe work environment to grow and assist with the development of courses. Dr. Skudin’s continued drive for personal growth led her to complete her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2020. She is currently a Senior Manager of Evaluation faculty working to ensure faculty in an online environment feel supported, are given professional development opportunities, develop relationships in an online environment with peers, and prioritize student learning.
Courtney Munday, Ph.D.Senior Manager, Evaluation at Western Governors University
Dr. Courtney Munday has worked as a 6-12th grade English Language Arts teacher in urban and suburban schools. As a classroom teacher, she co-taught with SPED teachers and worked as a literacy remediation specialist. She earned her B.A. in English with a writing emphasis from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), M.Ed. in English Education from The University of Oklahoma, and Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum from The University of Oklahoma. After leaving the classroom, she continues to volunteer in PK-12 schools as a literacy coach for elementary and high school students. Dr. Munday joined Western Governors University (WGU) in 2018 as a part-time evaluator in the School of Education and immediately fell in love with its mission to “change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity for all learners.” During her tenure at WGU, Dr. Munday has moved into senior leadership and has enhanced her skill set in topics of virtual learning environments, competency-based education (CBE), Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), growth mindset, and DEI. She enjoys working with cross-functional stakeholders to discover innovative ways to meet students’ needs.
Michelle PohlenSenior Manager, Evaluation at Western Governors University
Michelle Pohlen is a seasoned educator who champions competency based education and passionately works to serve diverse students in their unique online learning journey while also creating an amazing remote work environment for faculty. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, Michelle spent the first 10 years of her career teaching K-5 students with special needs. She was also a district level behavior consultant with a primary focus on behavior intervention and classroom management. Michelle is currently a Senior Manager of Evaluation faculty, where she leads evaluation teams who serve students in coursework related to Reading, Methods, Special Education, Preclinical Experiences, Student Teaching and performance portfolio assessments. Michelle’s passion lies in people development, and the importance of effective leadership in higher education. Providing innovating solutions and ideas to help better support students on their journey to graduation is the fuel for Michelle’s fire.
