The Office for Institutional Diversity will host a diversity and inclusion summit on June 1 titled “Building and Leveraging Partnerships Across Campus.” 

Open to Boston College faculty and staff, the summit will focus on how BC contributes to the social justice mission of the Society of Jesus through its efforts to create a diverse and inclusive community. It will include programs, initiatives, exhibits and relevant research related to diversity and inclusion, with the goal of creating a vibrant and continual learning experience for all BC employees. 

Damon A. Williams, senior vice president and chief educational and youth development officer at The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, will serve as keynote speaker.

The summit will also feature a panel of thought leaders from Boston College who are nationally recognized in their fields to discuss best practices in the area of diversity and inclusion. The panelists include: Janet Helms from the Lynch School of Education’s Institute for the Study of Race and Culture; Brad Harrington, executive director of the Center for Work and Family; Assistant Professor of Sociology Gustavo Morello, S.J.; and Lynch School Associate Professor Richard Jackson. Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Joy Moore will moderate.

Patricia Lowe
Office for Institutional Diversity Executive Director Patricia Lowe. (Photo by Frank Curran)

“There is a lot of good work going on at Boston College in the area of diversity and inclusion, and this summit will give us an opportunity to come together as a community, and share what we are doing with thought leaders across campus to build on and leverage our work,” said Senior Human Resources Officer Patricia Lowe, executive director of the Office for Institutional Diversity.      

Lowe says the summit’s program committee sought proposals from members of the University community on programs and workshops that highlight successful efforts within BC’s academic and administrative areas, and that offer practical guidance on enhancing diversity and inclusion.

She hopes to have both faculty and staff representatives from across campus who are involved in academic affairs, as well as from Student Affairs, Human Resources, Mission and Ministry, Athletics, Admissions, and various administrative offices and centers involved in the summit, which will take place in Gasson Hall from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

To register for the summit, see the Office for Institutional Diversity website

–Jack Dunn | News and Public Affairs