Montclair State Celebrates Diversity with a Week of Events

Montclair State, in collaboration with the Equity and Diversity Programs at the Women's Center, Office of Education and Community Outreach (OECO), MSU Art Galleries, the School of the Arts, Alumni Relations, Office of the Dean of Students, Services for Students with Disabilities, HRLDA, LASO and UAASO, is holding its first Diversity Week Nov. 14-18.

Initiated by Esmilda Abreu director of the Women's Center and Marie Sparks, program director of OECO, the weeklong series of events is part of Montclair State’s ongoing commitment to increase diversity initiatives for the community and will include art exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions, multicultural music and more.

"It is important not only to recognize the various constituencies that make us diverse but to celebrate our commitment to the concept of diversity and inclusion," said Abreu. "It is an opportunity to engage in discourse regarding where we are and where we need to be to fully realize these constructs. It’s also a chance to take pride in our unique campus and all it has to offer."

Events kick off with Bomba! A Celebration of Sight and Sound, an exhibition featuring the lush watercolor paintings of Antonio Broccoli Porto, designed to give the public a glimpse into the world of Afro-Caribbean traditions that are unique to an art form called Bomba; And Justice for All? a discussion examining civil rights issues for LGBT Americans including marriage, parenting and immigration; The Me-Mask Project, an array of cultural perspectives is depicted in this display of original masks created by the fourth-grade students from Bradford School, The University Magnet in Montclair; "I am Latino, but who am I?" a Latinos and identity panel discussion; The Nu American: Film screening and panel discussion with MSU student filmmaker, Morgan Goldin; and Conversations on Affirmative Action panel discussion examining and dispelling myths surrounding Affirmative Action, facilitated by student representatives of the President’s Commission on Affirmative Action. Click here for a full schedule of events.

"It is one of our strengths, not only on a personal level, but on a national and international level. We think globally and that makes us and our graduates more competitive and better equipped when faced with global challenges," added Abreu. "It demonstrates that we are committed to addressing difficult issues and to being proactive about our growth. Empathy and understanding is the antidote to ignorance and violence. It keeps us awake, alert and alive."

Diversity Week will conclude with the fifth annual National Conference for Community and Justice, Diversity Issues in Higher Education on Friday, Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. Montclair State is hosting the conference, which will focus on "Campus Diversity: Past, Present and Beyond."

Co-sponsored by Berkley College, Bloomfield College, Monmouth University, Essex County College, Montclair State University, Rutgers: The State University of New Jersey, Scotwork USA, Saint Peter's College, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, William Paterson University, the conference features Edgar F. Beckham, Senior Fellow, Association of American Colleges and Universities who will deliver the keynote address. Beckham consults with colleges and universities on campus diversity and its relationship to liberal education, civic engagement and the pursuit of educational excellence. From 1990 to 1998, Beckham led the Ford Foundation's Campus Diversity Initiative, which provided more than $20 million in support of campus diversity activities at colleges and universities across the country. He has lectured extensively in the United States, India, and Germany and has been widely recognized for his work in the areas of campus diversity, civil rights, racial consciousness in America and democracy.

Edward W. Bullock, vice president of diversity for L'Oréal USA will moderate the Presidents' Panel. In his position, he oversees the company's diversity initiatives related to workforce, vendors, internship programs, and community relations. Bullock is an experienced presenter and author of several articles related to diversity and the workplace. Panelists include Montclair State President Susan A. Cole; Paul G. Gaffney II, president, Monmouth University; Mildred García, president, Berkeley College; John J. Petillo, president, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; and A. Zachary Yamba, president, Essex County College.