Academics

Conference to highlight Latinx/a/o faculty development and academic leadership

Credit: Penn State Harrisburg / Penn StateCreative Commons

MIDDLETOWN, PA – Penn State Harrisburg will host a virtual Latinx/a/o faculty development and academic leadership conference from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday, April 9. The event is intended to foster the hiring and promotion of Latinx/a/o faculty and leaders at Penn State and is open to faculty and staff across the University, including Commonwealth Campuses.

The event is supported with funding from the Penn State Equal Opportunity Planning Committee (EOPC), which is intended to promote greater equity for historically underrepresented and underserved groups within the University and/or those groups that have been historical targets of discrimination. Additional funding has been provided by the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg.

“I am deeply grateful to the University for its support for our efforts to address an urgent priority of our institution, which is to expand the number and success of Latinx/a/o faculty members,” said Mark Kiselica, chair of the conference and director of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. “The goal of this conference is to explore ways the University can increase Latinx representation among the faculty, thereby supporting the University’s strategic priority pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.”

The conference will feature Latinx/a/o teachers, scholars and leaders in higher education discussing the challenges they experience in academics and scholarship. Discussions will also review culturally sensitive practices for recruiting, supporting, and promoting Latinx/a/o faculty members to professor and senior leadership positions. A peer working group of conference attendees will also be formed to support ongoing work on this issue throughout the University. 

For more information and to register for the event, visit the conference registration page or contact Kiselica at msk317@psu.edu or 215-962-0364.

Welcoming remarks will be provided by Kiselica and Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor John M. Mason Jr. Tentative topics and presenters include:

  • "The Status of Latinx/a/o Students and Faculty in Higher Education," presented by Lucy Arellano, associate professor of higher education at Texas Tech University
  • "My Journey to a College Presidency," presented by Patricia Arredondo, chair of the Board of Directors at the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education
  • "Hidden Burdens and Success Stories of Latinx/a/o Faculty Members," presented by Patricia Aguilera-Hermida, assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Harrisburg; Raffy Luquis associate professor of health education at Penn State Harrisburg; and Teresa Delgado, professor and chair of religious studies at Iona College, alumna of the Hispanic Theological Initiative, and member of the Board of Trustees at Colgate University
  • "Straight Talk for Recruiting a Diverse Faculty," presented by Shakoor Ward, professional development coordinator at Penn State
  • "Creating an Institutional Culture of Support for the Latinx/a/o Community," presented by Patricia Arredondo, chair of the Board of Directors at the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education
Last Updated April 15, 2021