2nd Annual Office of Multicultural Affairs Diversity Conference: Hidden Faces
Conference Schedule
8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.
o Location: Outside Grand Ballroom
Sign In/Registration
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Opening/Welcome
A. Welcome: Dr. Osaro E. Airen, Director of Multicultural Affairs
B. Opening Presentation: Mr. Gordon Reynolds, Stephen F. Austin State University
A Blessing in Disguise
o Do not let things define who you are because that is not living, it is just existing.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy that did not affect me until 2013 so I understand
the adversity from being able to do everything to now being in a wheelchair. In
actuality, I believe that this was the best thing that ever happened to me. I will
share my story and hope to impact someone who has a disability or someone who
is just going through adversity. My focus is showing everyone that everything we
go through in life is for a reason and we must find the positive no matter what life
throws our way. Life is such a blessing and it is truly what you make of it.
o Location: Grand Ballroom
Block 1
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Block 1: Workshops
A. Experiencing Poverty to Facilitate Discussion and Action for our Students
o Presenter: Dr. Lauren Burrow, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This workshop is an interactive dialogue about poverty and its effects on higher
education learning. Outcomes of the session include: awareness, advocacy, and
action. Attendees will participate in a brief poverty simulation, selected readings,
and videos in order to actively discuss ideas for best practices in assisting
learners’ experiencing poverty.
o Location: Twilight Ballroom
B. Texas Educational Institutions Policy: Examination of Transgender Inclusion
Policies at Texas Schools
o Presenters: Ms. Josephine Tittsworth, Texas Transgender
Nondiscrimination Summit
o Ms. Nikki Vogel, Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit
o An examination of current university, college, and public schools policies related
to transgender inclusion for students, faculty, and staff and a discussion on the
aspects of Title IX that impact our schools and higher academic institutions for
transgenders.
o Location: Theater
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Block 1: Standard Presentations
A. Does Ethnicity Matter in Religious Activities
o Presenter: Dr. Hyunsook Kang, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This study examines the relationships among race and religious activities among
older adults. Frequency of religious service attendance and ethnicity will be
measured in the current study. Data from the National Social Life, Health, and
Aging Project (NSHAP) survey (Waite et al., 2015) were used. The NSHAP study
sampled persons 57 - 85 years of age (n=3005). It was hypothesized that older
adults’ ethnicity differentially influenced religious activities. African American
and Hispanic older adults were hypothesized to have higher frequency of religious
activities than Anglo older adults. In order to identify the associations between
race and frequency of religious activities, multiple regression analyses were used.
o Location: Tiered Meeting Room
B. Diversity in STEM
o Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Gumm, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This presentation will highlight data documenting the lack of diversity in STEM
fields, explore underlying causes for the lack of diversity in STEM fields, and
provide a framework of action that can result in increased diversity in STEM
fields
o Location: Multimedia Room
11:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Block 1: Paired Presentations
A. Influence of Hair on Professionalism, Likability & Appearance
o Presenters: Ms. Deinisha Tryals, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Dr. Lauren Brewer, Stephen F. Austin State University
o For this study, the researchers were interested in how another culturally relevant
variable, hair texture (natural versus processed), affected people’s perceptions of
Black women’s professionalism, appearance, and likability. Historically, Black
women have processed their hair to make it look similar to White women’s hair.
Natural hair, however, is growing in popularity in Black communities and is
likely to be worn by new job applicants. We found hair type by race interactions:
Black women with natural rather than processed hair were viewed as more
professional, having a nice appearance, and likable when rated by Black rather
than White participants.
Location: Tiered Meeting Room
B. Hidden Faces: Race Relationships Communication across the Life Span
o Presenter: Dr. Jim Towns, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This study focuses on a tragedy in American culture. It depicts African-American
relations and will discuss an individual’s journey through the dragging death of
James Byrd, Jr. in the East Texas community of Jasper. No one is born
prejudiced. Prejudices are learned, but they can also be unlearned.
Location: Multimedia Room
Lunch
11:30 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Schedule
A. Lunch Served
B. Performance: School of Music Opera Performance
C. Poetry Performance: Ms. Adaeze N. Elechi, Stephen F. Austin State University
D. Performance: Latin Lumberjacks
E. Location: Grand Ballroom
Block 2
12:35 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Block 2: Workshops
A. Accentuating Abilities Over DisAbilities: A Positive Interaction
o Presenters: Dr. Yuleinys Castillo, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Shannon Johnson, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Christina Meyers, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Our strengths and abilities make us unique. Identifying and embracing individual
traits can help increase awareness and participation of people with disabilities.
Let’s recognize and challenge everyday misconceptions about disability. Having
adequate knowledge and a welcoming attitude can help to improve our
interactions with people with disabilities while promoting inclusion.
o Location: Twilight Ballroom
B. African American Women and Self-Esteem: Age, Family, and Current Life
Circumstances
o Presenters: Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Mrs. Ashley Doss, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. DeShae Davis, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Mainstream media typically highlights a positive relationship between life
circumstances and how individuals feel about themselves, regardless of
racial/ethnic group affiliation. African-American women consistently report
experiences of racism and sexism more than any other racial group. This
inconsistency warrants examining how factors influence self-esteem among
African-American women in the U.S.
o Location: Theater
12:35 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.
Block 2: Standard Presentations
A. Work Issues and Transgender Employee Rights
o Presenter: Dr. Dianne Dentice, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This presentation is based on field work with transgender employees in both the
private sector and the military. Findings indicate that transgender individuals are
less likely to be hired than their non-trans counterparts. If hired, they are less
likely to be promoted than their non-trans counterparts. They are also more likely
to be fired - especially if they elect to transition on the job.
o Location: Tiered Meeting Room
B. Religious Identity and Spiritual Maturity
o Presenter: Mr. Frank Gomez, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Previous researchers identified strong relationships between identity and
religiosity/spirituality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the link
between religious identity and spiritual maturity to determine categorical
similarities. Results indicated the achieved identity status was categorically
different from the growth-oriented spiritual type and similar to the dogmatic
spiritual type.
o Location: Multimedia Room
1:35 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Block 2: Paired Presentations
A. An Evaluation of First Generation College Student Athletes: Implications for
Academic Planning and Student Success
o Presenters: Mrs. Brittany Fish, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Mr. Robert McDermand, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Katherine Whitbeck, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This quantitative study analyzed admission data of 603 first year, first-time
undergraduate student-athletes enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University. The
purpose of the study was to identify risk factors associated with academic success
and retention of first year, first generation student-athletes in comparison to first
year, non-first generation student-athletes.
o Location: Tiered Meeting Room
B. Students' Perceptions of Transwomen
o Presenter: Mx. Elizabeth Peavy, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Dr. Lauren Brewer, Stephen F. Austin State University
o As the transgender community continues to grow, trans issues also continue to be
hotly debated. Little research explores what cisgender people think about their
transgender peers. This study focused on perceptions of transwomen in order to
gauge college student’s perceptions of their transgender peers
o Location: Multimedia Room
Block 3
2:05 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Block 3: Standard Presentations
A. Connections, Experiences, Opportunities, and Support to Improve Visibility of
Persons with Disabilities
o Presenters: Mrs. Heather Munro, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Mr. Michael Munro, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Laura Poynor, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Mr. Trenton Rowland, Stephen F. Austin State University
o This presentation details campus activities that are used/proposed to support SFA
students with disabilities, to connect these students to the student body, develop
community through student clubs focused on disability, create connections with
programs and agencies, and use the campus community to support families and
children in the Nacogdoches area.
Location: Twilight Ballroom
B. Engaging Diversity and Creating a Safe Environment in the Classroom
o Presenters: Dr. Kara Lopez, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Dr. James Morris, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Kristin Wallace, Stephen F. Austin State University
o As higher education becomes increasingly diverse, it is necessary for educators
and students alike to gain knowledge, values, and skills regarding
multiculturalism. Information will be presented on best practices that can be
implemented to engage diverse populations in a safe and supportive classroom
environment.
o Location: Theater
C. Hidden in Plain Sight: People of Color in the Outdoors
o Presenters: Dr. Shelby Laird, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Diana Chavez, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Ms. Jade Buckley, Stephen F. Austin State University
o It is a widely assumed myth that people of color do not engage with the natural
world. This presentation explores how people of color are hidden by the media
and current efforts by various folks to bring people of color exploring nature to
light.
o Location: Tiered Meeting Room
2:05 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
2:35 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Block 3: Paired Presentations
A. Ethics & Alterity: Levinas, the Other, and Ubuntu
o Presenter: Mr. Jae Jerkins, Tyler Junior College
o Levinas’ theories promotes a possibility, just short of a promise perhaps, and
Ubuntu is the enacting of that promise; a promise that says the face of the Other
matters, that conversation is always ethical, and that reconciliation with the
Other—even forgiveness—is possible because of this.
o Location: Multimedia Room
B. Hidden Stories in the Public Sphere
o Presenter: Dr. Louise Stoehr, Stephen F. Austin State University
o Obvious reminders of Germany’s difficult history are ubiquitous. Less obvious
are public displays representing common people whose individual acts are easily
forgotten. This type of commemoration is in unlikely places and therefore likely
to be overlooked. This presentation introduces four stories of revealing the hidden
faces integrated into the modern German cityscape.
o Location: Multimedia Room
2015-2016 OMA Caucus Members
Dr. Osaro E. Airen
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Dr. Griselda Flores
Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs
Ms. Alicia A. Millard
Secretary, Multicultural Affairs
Dr. Court Carney
Assistant Professor, History
Dr. Yuleinys A. Castillo Silva
Assistant Professor, Human Services
Ms. Heather Catton
Director of International Programs
Ms. Daphne Curl
Manager of Testing Services
Dr. Patrick S. De Walt
Assistant Professor, Elementary Education
Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey
Assistant Professor, School Psychology
Mr. Kenneth Felts
International Admissions Counselor, PDSO
Dr. Brandon L. Fox
Assistant Professor, Elementary Education
Ms. Cyndra Krogen-Morton
Visiting Lecturer, Kinesiology & Health Science
Mrs. Trina Benson Menefee
College of Sciences & Mathematics Academic Advisor
Ms. Beverly Morehouse
ORSP Grants and Contracts Specialist
Ms. Tiffany Rivers
Director of Disability Services
Dr. Sudeshna Roy
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Dr. Robbie J. Steward
Professor & Chair, Human Services
Dr. Louise Stoehr
Associate Professor, German
Dr. Jamie Weaver
Assistant Professor, Music History
2014-2015 OMA Caucus Members
Dr. Osaro E. Airen
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Dr. Griselda Flores
Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs
Ms. Alicia A. Millard
Secretary, Multicultural Affairs
Ms. Stephanie Applewhite
Graduate Student, SFA Ed.D. Program
Ms. Binta Brown
Director of Career Services
Dr. Court Carney
Assistant Professor, History
Ms. Heather Catton
Director of International Programs
Ms. Wilma Cordova
Associate Professor, Social Work
Ms. Daphne Curl
Manager of Testing Services
Dr. Patrick S. De Walt
Assistant Professor, Elementary Education
Dr. Dianne Dentice
Associate Professor, Sociology
Dr. Antonio G. Estudillo
Assistant Professor, Child Development & Family
Living
Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey
Assistant Professor, School Psychology
Mr. Kenneth Felts
International Admissions Counselor, PDSO
Dr. Brandon L. Fox
Assistant Professor, Elementary Education
Ms. Cyndra Krogen-Morton
Visiting Lecturer, Kinesiology & Health Science
Dr. Sheila Lumar
Assistant Professor, Child Development & Family
Living
Mr. Olegario Madera
Gear Up Outreach Coordinator
Ms. Terri O’Neal Ford
Federal Compliance Coordinator, ORSP
Ms. Tiffany Rivers
Director of Disability Services
Dr. Robbie J. Steward
Professor & Chair, Human Services
Dr. Jamie Weaver
Assistant Professor, Music History