The Alverno Community Conference, an annual day of learning that provides an opportunity for the extended Alverno community to share current research around a central theme, will be held on Friday, November 11, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and will explore the theme: Embracing Diversity: A Mindful Approach to Inclusion. Through workshops, discussions, and creative activities, the conference aims to create a safe and nurturing atmosphere for an authentic dialogue on diversity and inclusion. Participants can choose from 24 topics – all connected to diversity and inclusion – during two sessions.

The day will begin with a keynote presentation by Lee Mun Wah, executive director of Stirfry Seminars & Consulting, a diversity training company that provides educational tools and workshops on cross-cultural communication and awareness, mindful meditation and conflict mediation techniques. His presentation, What Stands Between Us, will explore how the community can break down walls created out of fear and truly make a connection through honesty, curiosity and a willingness to be open to new ideas and relationships.

Following the keynote presentation, concurrent breakout sessions will take place from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Some of the topics for breakout sessions include unlearning racism, the biology of sexual identity, cultivating inclusive leadership, forgiveness, and Milwaukee’s future as a global city.

Participants will also have an opportunity to help create a weaving using strips of newspaper from around the world. The art project will demonstrate how people of different backgrounds and cultures can be woven together as one. The drop-in art session is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information about the 2016 Alverno Community Conference, or to register, visit http://www.alverno.edu/communityconference/. Additional questions can be directed to 414-382-6087, or email institute@alverno.edu.

About Alverno College

Alverno College, a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women, exists to promote the personal and professional development of its students. The college has earned accolades and respect internationally for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, and has consulted with three U.S. presidential administrations on accountability and outcomes in higher education. For the last seven years, Alverno College has been ranked one of the top five schools in the Midwest doing “the best job of educating undergrads” by U.S. News & World Report. Educators from throughout the world visit Alverno to learn about its proven, student-centered teaching methods.

Alverno offers more than 60 major areas of study, including graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology and business that are open to women and men. For more information about Alverno, visit www.alverno.edu or call 414-382-6100.