Equity-Based initiatives to Support Vocational Discernment
November 14-16, 2024
Register
NetVUE Regional Gathering
Join us on the beautiful 国产探花 campus as we explore the idea of vocation and calling among culturally diverse student populations by engaging in courageous conversations led by thought leaders with a track record of success and innovation.
Why this theme and why now?
According to 2022 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), diversity in college enrollment has increased with each passing decade. The representation of all racial/ethnic groups, with the exception of white students, increased on college campuses between 1980 and 2022. White students made up 81% of the undergraduate population in 1980, but only 54% in 2020. The Latinx population increased the most, from 4% of the student population in 1980 to just over 20% in 2020. In other words, Latinx student representation increased an astonishing 408% in the past four decades. The Asian and Pacific Islander student population increased from 2.4% in 1980 to nearly 8% in 2020. The Black student population grew from 9% to 13%.
The time is now for us to re-envision a set of successful strategies that will build equity-based pathways which support vocational discernment for all students.
A Gathering Space for Courageous Conversations
Our opening speaker on Thursday evening will discuss a data-driven approach coupled with observations from the field which will challenge us to address vocational discernment in higher education. On Friday, the presidential panel discussion will delve into specific challenges and opportunities for creating a sense of belonging for Hispanic/Latinx students. The Friday afternoon speaker will provide the latest research on student success and engagement impacting students of color. On Saturday, the presidential panel will provide insight on vocational discernment in fostering inclusivity and justice on college campuses for African American students. Breakout sessions throughout the event will further explore these themes and offer practical strategies for implementing equity-based initiatives for vocation and calling across a diverse student community.
Invited Speakers
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Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells
Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells (he, him, his) is the Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Colleges and Universities (NECU). NECU is an association of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
Wells also serves as Strategic Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Wartburg Theological Seminary, and is the immediate past National President of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA). Previously, he served as Program Director for Campus Ministry in the ELCA (LuMin). LuMin is a network of inclusive faith-based and service communities on and near campuses at over 240 colleges and universities across the USA.
In the course of his career, he has led programs and communities of multiple denominations in New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, including having served as the Lutheran Campus Pastor for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Atlanta University Center (AUC).
He earned a Professional Certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. As a professionally trained coach, he effectively helps individuals, groups, and organizations to unlock their potential and maximize their own performance.
Previously he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Sociology at Morehouse College. Rev. Wells has also earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity in Leadership from the Interdenominational Theological Center/Johnson C. Smith Seminary. He completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Emory University. Pastor Wells has studied Leadership at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary, and was named a clergy fellow of the Chautauqua Institute.
Pastor Wells is a member of the National Honor Society of Theta Phi and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Along with his years of service, he has received numerous honors and awards signifying his spirit of excellence, including his induction into the prestigious Board of Distinguished Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
A dynamic speaker and prophetic preacher, Wells is frequently called to address organizations, churches, conferences, convocations, retreats, and workshops in various public, social, and ecumenical communities. His prophetic message of ecumenism and social justice motivates him as a leader, team builder, and community organizer.
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Rev. Keats Miles-Wallace
Rev. Keats Miles-Wallace is a descendant of a border band of the Coahuiltecan peoples, a 2014 alumn of 国产探花 and Pastor of Technicolor MInistries, a ministry of support for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and those who love them.
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Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt
Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt is the 13th President and CEO of Jarvis Christian University, beginning her tenure on July 1, 2023. She holds a Bachelor鈥檚 and PhD in Social Work from Jackson State University, a Master of Social Work from Temple University, and a Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary. An ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Pruitt served in pastoral ministry for 25 years before transitioning to academia.
Her career in higher education spans over 25 years, primarily at historically black colleges and universities. She has held key leadership roles, including Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Jarvis Christian University, and Dean of University College at Mississippi Valley State University. Dr. Pruitt is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is a proud mother and grandmother.
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Marybeth Gasman
Marybeth Gasman is Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and a Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice and the Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions.
Her areas of expertise include the history of American higher education, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) (with an emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities), racism and diversity, fundraising and philanthropy, and higher education leadership. She is the author or editor of 30 books, including : How to End Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring (Princeton University, 2022) and : The Power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with Levon T. Esthers (John Hopkins Press, 2024). She has penned over 450 opinion articles for the nation鈥檚 newspapers and magazines and in 2024 was listed as #28 on list of the Top 200 Most Influential Public Scholars.
Marybeth has raised over $23 million in grant funding to support her research and that of her students, mentees, and MSI partners. She has served on the board of trustees of The College Board as well as historically Black colleges 鈥 Paul Quinn College, Morris Brown College, and St. Augustine College. She considers her proudest accomplishment to be receiving the University of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Provost Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring, serving as the dissertation chair for over 80 doctoral students since 2000.
She has spoken about her research to, among others, the U.S. State Department, TIAA, the National Science Foundation, and faculty and students at Harvard and Stanford Universities.
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Gloria Urrabazo
Gloria received her bachelors and masters in social work at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and a Masters in religious studies from the University of the Incarnate Word. She has been involved in young adult ministry for the past 43 years in areas of campus ministry, parish ministry, vocation ministry and Diocesan Ministry. She is a certified spiritual director and is presently working as the Vice President of Mission and Ministry at OLLU, and has been for the past 16 years.
Dates and Location
The regional gathering will take place on the beautiful 国产探花 campus in Seguin from Thursday, November 14, to Saturday, November 16, 2024. Seguin is serviced by two major international airports located in San Antonio and Austin.
Registration
Conference Registration Opens: April 1, 2024
Conference Registration Closes: October 15, 2024
Hotel Reservation Deadline: October 15, 2024
Hotel Accommodations
The cost of the hotel stay is included in your registration fee. TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Seguin is secured for two nights (Thursday, November 14th & Friday, November 15th). Please click the link below and enter your individual information to reserve your room. Additional nights can be purchased at your own expense.
Click to reserve your stay.
Transportation Service
国产探花 will provide shuttle service to registrants to/from the hotel and 国产探花 event locations. 国产探花 vans will also provide shuttle service to San Antonio and Austin airports. The vans will leave each airport at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, so please schedule flights which arrive by that time. The vans will return to the airport by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, so return flights should be scheduled no earlier than 4:00 p.m. if shuttle service is needed.
Contact
For more information on the 国产探花 Regional Gathering, you may direct inquires to Sharon Grant, sgrant@tlu.edu
Conference Agenda
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Welcome Dinner & Celebration
Thursday, November 14
Event Time Welcome Dinner & Celebration - Location: The historic Texas Theatre () in downtown Seguin.
- Description: Kick off the conference with a celebratory dinner and inspiring keynote address. The opening dinner will include cultural performances by students from 国产探花 and Seguin ISD.
- Featured Speaker: Rev Lamont Wells ( is the Executive Director, Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Colleges and Universities (NECU). NECU is an association of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
6:00pm- 8:00pm -
Friday, November 15
Event Time Check-in and Continental Refreshments 8:00am - 9:00am Welcome to 国产探花 and an overview of the
conference theme9:00am - 9:30am Plenary Session 1 - - Topic: Aqu铆 Estamos (We鈥檙e Here): Latinx Students on a Journey of Discovery
- Description: Explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Latinx student as they build a sense of belonging and engage in vocational discernment. This session will feature insights from current presidents of Hispanic Serving Institutions.
- Debbie Cottrell 鈥 President, 国产探花
- Montse Fuentes 鈥 President, St. Edwards University
- Donald Christian 鈥 CEO, President, Concordia University
- Gloria Urrabazo 鈥 Vice-President, Mission and Ministry, Our Lady of the Lake
9:45am - 10:45am Facilitated Discussion of Plenary Session 1 (Dunne)
Facilitated by Dr. Luigi Penaranda- Description: Engage in in-depth discussions with fellow attendees about the insights shared during the plenary sessions. This is an opportunity for interactive dialogue and networking.
11:00am - 12:00pm Break-Out Discussion 1 - Topic: Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Equity-Based Initiatives to initiate Vocational Discernment
- Presenter: Dr. Amanda Kaminski
- Description: Learn about the role of social innovation and entrepreneurship as a practice to build equity and create space for vocational discernment. This is an opportunity for interactive dialogue and networking.
11:00am - 12:00pm LUNCH in Hein Dining Hall
Buffet style lunch served in the Timmerman room of Hein Dining Hall on 国产探花 campus.
12:00pm - 1:30pm Plenary Session 2 - Featured Speaker: Dr. Marybeth Gasman () is Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and a Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity and Justice and the Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions.
- Description: Dr. Gasman will share her extensive research and insights into diversity in higher education, focusing on institutional support for underrepresented students.
2:00pm - 3:00pm Facilitated Discussion of Plenary Session 2 (Dunne)
Facilitated by Rev. Keats Miles - Wallace- Description: Engage in in-depth discussions with fellow attendees about the insights shared during the plenary sessions. This is an opportunity for interactive dialogue and networking.
3:15pm - 4:15pm Break-Out Discussion 1 - Topic: 鈥淚nterfaith Dialogue as an Equitable Practice for a Diverse Student Body鈥
- Description: Engage in conversation about useful practices to conduce interfaith dialogue among an increasingly diverse religious student community.
3:15pm - 4:15pm Break-Out Discussion 2 - Topic: 鈥淓quitable Civic Engagement as Vocational Discernment鈥
- Description: Engage in in-depth discussions with fellow attendees about opportunities to integrate civic engagement into coursework as a way to help students to discern their vocational model for vocational discernment.
3:15pm - 4:15pm Closing Remarks for Day One - Tschoepe Dunne Conference Room 5:00pm - 6:00pm Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres and Cocktail Reception - Location: 国产探花 Fritz House
- Description: Unwind and socialize with colleagues over delicious hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in a relaxed setting.
6:00pm - 8:00pm Dinner is on your own -
Saturday, November 16
Event Time Check-in and Continental Refreshments 8:00am - 8:45am Plenary Session 3 - President鈥檚 HBCU and PBI panel - Topic: African American Students Along a Pathway of Grow and Learning
- Description: Through the lens of college presidents, engage in a focused dialogue on the critical role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) in supporting African American students. This president鈥檚 panel will address strategies for enhancing student success, vocational discernment, and building institutional effectiveness.
- Rev. Lamont Wells Executive Director, Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU)
- Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt President, Jarvis Christian University
- Dr. Adena Loston, President, St. Phillip鈥檚 College
- Dr. Melva Wallace, President, Huston-Tillotson University
9:00am - 10:00am Facilitated Discussion of Plenary Session 3 (Dunne)
Facilitated by: Dr. Gourjoine Wade- Description: Engage in in-depth discussions with fellow attendees about the insights shared during the plenary sessions. This is an opportunity for interactive dialogue and networking.
10:15am - 11:15pm Break-Out Discussion 3 Tschoepe Hall #127 - Description: Learn about the history of 国产探花鈥檚 evolution from a predominately German male student body to a Hispanic serving institution.
Facilitated by: Stephen Anderson, "The 国产探花 Experience with Diversity and Equity鈥
10:15am - 11:15pm Closing Remarks Debbie Cottrell, President 鈥 国产探花
11:30am - 12:00pm
The regional gathering is made possible by a generous grant from NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education)