{"id":29564,"date":"2016-08-25T11:28:16","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T15:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=29564"},"modified":"2016-12-01T13:37:07","modified_gmt":"2016-12-01T18:37:07","slug":"the-last-will-be-the-first-social-pyschologist-christena-cleveland-shares-a-new-paradigm-of-privilege-faculty-staff-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2016\/the-last-will-be-the-first-social-pyschologist-christena-cleveland-shares-a-new-paradigm-of-privilege-faculty-staff-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The last will be the first’: social psychologist Christena Cleveland shares a new paradigm of privilege at faculty\/staff conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe last will be first and the first will be the last: This is what equality looks like, this is what justice is about.\u201d Dr. Christena Cleveland<\/a>, a social psychologist and theologian, invited Eastern Mennonite University faculty and staff into a new paradigm for welcoming and understanding diversity.<\/p>\n

Cleveland, the keynote speaker at EMU\u2019s annual faculty\/staff conference, is associate professor of the practice of reconciliation at the Duke University Divinity School and author of Disunity in Christ: Discovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart<\/em><\/a> (InterVarsity Press, 2013).<\/p>\n

A sought-after speaker who was named one of \u201cFive online shepherds to follow\u201d by JET magazine, Cleveland remarked that the opportunity to speak at EMU was irresistible.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a reconciliation scholar and practitioner, how could I say no to EMU?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Inclusion, equity can be strengthened<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The annual faculty\/staff conference brings together approximately 350 members of the campus community at the start of the academic year for fellowship, worship and professional development. The theme of the Aug. 17-18 conference was \u201cEmbracing Diversity,\u201d with diversity being defined in its various dimensions as race, faith, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, physical abilities and other identities.<\/p>\n

The topic was also informed by goals within the 2015-2020 EMU Strategic Plan<\/a> \u201cto recruit, develop, and retain diverse, effective faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"20160817-Faculty<\/a>
Dr. David Ford, psychology professor at James Madison University, talks about difference and civility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis goal goes to heart of our mission and values as a university,\u201d said Provost Fred Kniss<\/a>, who chaired the planning committee. \u201cDevelopment of culturally competent educators and members of the campus community goes hand-in-hand with our mission of educating students to serve and lead in a global context. The conference helped us to continue discussion and assessment utilizing both our own significant resources and those provided by outside experts.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2015, EMU\u2019s traditional undergraduate population included a record-high 37 percent of students who are ethnic minorities or come from other countries. That number is up from 36 percent in 2014 and 29 percent in 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have many strengths in this area,\u201d Kniss said, noting the institution\u2019s history of inclusion of African Americans, the required undergraduate cross-cultural experience, and a high percentage of faculty and staff who have lived and worked in other countries. \u201cOur work in global peacebuilding and in restorative justice are a strong foundation to build upon, but we must be proactive in confronting and addressing questions of inequality and equity that challenge us as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Afternoon sessions included<\/p>\n