22nd Annual State of Michigan Equity Within the Classroom Conference

Welcome to the 22nd Annual State of Michigan Equity Within the Classroom Conference to be held March 18-20, 2012 on the beautiful campus of Saginaw Valley State University.

The theme, Equity in Education through Partnerships and Collaboration , is designed to explore various ways in which community partnerships help to foster diversity and to explore the ways in which diversity enriches these partnerships.

The focus of the conference is on achieving parity in enrollment, retention, and graduation for the underrepresented students of color and academically and economically disadvantaged students in higher education.   The audience consists of faculty, administrators, student affairs personnel, students, community members and GEAR-UP partners.

Topics to be highlighted at the conference include:

• Collaborative programs or partnerships that have increased the enrollment, retention and graduation of students from underrepresented groups in institutions of higher education (including pre-college programs)
• Curricular and extracurricular initiatives for making classrooms and workplaces more inclusive.
• Professional development programs/activities for faculty, staff, students and/or community members that increase awareness, knowledge and skills related to cultural competency
• Strategies to foster collaboration and/or partnerships between various communities both internal and external to centers of higher education.