Diversity in Academia Workshop

May 28, 2009

On April 30, Clark Atlanta University hosted a workshop on "Diversity in Academia" for the current and the incoming Mellon fellows.

One of the salient features of the Mellon fellowship is the encounter between the fellows from Emory and the students from the participating institutions.  These institutions are different from Emory, and often from anything the fellows have encountered in their educational lives.  The schools are relatively small, they are oriented towards the liberal arts, several are historically black schools, and two are all female colleges.

Both the fellows and the students they teach talk about this encounter as a source of great vibrancy and of lasting intellectual and personal impact.  At the same time, it includes a moment of adjustment and adaptation, as the fellows engage with unfamiliar students and educational cultures.

To make the most of this encounter, the workshop brought together the Mellon fellows, directors, representatives from all participating institutions, and  Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harrisfrom the United Negro College Fund. 

The workshop was organized around a a series of panel and group discussions that explored issues ranging from the impact intellectual and demographic diversity have on student (and faculty) experiences, to the way institutional histories, cultures, and procedures shape pedagogical strategies.  It was an opportunity for the current fellows to articulate what they are taking away from their experiences, for the incoming fellows to anticipate what will happen in the fall, and for the teachers and administrators to share their knowledge and help prepare their new colleagues.

Thanks to outstanding support and hosting from our liaisons at Clark Atlanta University, Drs. Alexa Henderson, Josephine Bradley, and Cynthia Clem.