February 23, 2022 Stops Along Our Learning Journeys: P&P and NCORE

From John Johnson, vice president for diversity and inclusion.

With the Power & Privilege (P&P) Symposium underway, we want to encourage people to engage with the different activities and sessions happening this week and also share some information about another diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism (DEIA) learning space in the region, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE). For more than 30 years, NCORE has served as the annual convening for higher education professionals engaged in work related to access, equity, inclusion and justice. More than 5,000 faculty, staff, administrators and students have gathered at NCORE in past years to share, grow and learn together at an immersive five-day conference. With the omicron surge starting to wane, plans are underway for an in-person NCORE just 250 miles away in Portland, Oregon. 

As a DEIA learning and capacity building opportunity, NCORE is unmatched. Given the proximity to Walla Walla, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion intends to send a delegation of faculty, staff, administrators and students from Whitman to NCORE this year. Our delegation for summer 2022 will include individuals who will personally and professionally benefit from the experience and are well positioned to champion inclusive excellence in varied campus sectors following their participation. For more information about NCORE, visit the conference website.

Even with NCORE in our backyard, the Whitman delegation will still be limited to just a few people, while P&P provides valuable DEIA content and is right here on campus for our entire community to participate in. We are moving away from the perspective that DEIA work is something done by one person or one area on campus to recognizing that DEIA work is something that we all must do. Everyone can engage with Power & Privilege sessions this week and benefit from this learning opportunity. I encourage you all to take part and I look forward to seeing you there.