Symposium on Inclusive Excellence
Together We Are.
The annual Symposium on Inclusive Excellence encourages students and staff to learn, grow, and commit as a campus to comprehensive, ongoing engagement with our diverse community. An entire day in February is reserved for a featured keynote speaker or expert panelists and educational sessions that inspire open dialogue.
Keynote Speaker
Simone is the author of 7 published books, including the seminal Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome and the upcoming Audiction: Self-Medicating on the Autism and Neurodiversity Spectrum (2027). She has given keynote speeches at autism conferences around the world, and presented at the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul South Korea. Simone is also a composer, musician and producer who has released several recorded works and regularly gives live performances as Artemis X.
American by birth, Simone has lived in various countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Some of the most significant publications including the New York Times, the Sunday Times (London), The Daily Mail, AERA (Japan), New York Magazine, VICE, WIRED and Time Magazine, have interviewed Simone or reported on her work.
IIL Committee
The Committee for Inclusive & Intercultural Learning (IIL) actively promotes and maintains an inclusive and equitable environment for all members of the LVC learning community.
IE Symposium History
2026: Perspective: Reframe Your Reality
Keynote Panelists:
- Dr. Protika Bhattacharjee, Co-chair of Business & Economics, Assistant Professor of Economics
- Shelly Bliss ’27, D’29, Exercise Science / Doctor of Physical Therapy student
- Tyler Hartl ’24, Community Organizer & Event Planner, OnePA
2025: Resilience: Building Stronger Together
Keynote Speaker: Kristal Turner-Childs, Retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Pennsylvania State Police
2024: Creating Belonging: A Call to Action
2023: Inclusive Excellence: Preparation for 21st Century Careers and Communities
Keynote Panelists:
- Shauntey James, Ph.D., J.D., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Penn State Harrisburg
- TaLisa Ramos-Watts, MSW, LSW, CCTP-I, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education, PA Department of Education
- John Lawn, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
- Dr. Matthew Silvis, Medical Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Vice Chair of Clinical Operations of Family and Community Medicine, and Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State Health
2022: Journey Together
Keynote Speaker: Saul Flores, philanthropist, photojournalist, and speaker who is nationally recognized for his social impact projects
2021: Privilege & Activism
Keynote Speaker: Tim Wise, prominent anti-racist writer and educator
2020
Keynote Speaker: Ruth Naomi Floyd, vocalist, composer and music educator with theme of social justice
2019
Keynote Speaker: Marvin Worthy, diversity and community engagement consultant
2018
Keynote Speaker: Calvin Sun, MD is an Emergency Medicine resident physician, civil rights activist, dancer, and entrepreneur based in NYC
2017
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Charles H.F. Davis, Director of Higher Education Research and Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education
2016
Keynote Speaker: PA Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine, became the highest-ranking openly transgender government official in U.S. history when she was confirmed by the Senate as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health in March 2021
2015
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Kimmel, one of the world’s leading experts on men and masculinities and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at Stony Brook University
2014
Keynote Speaker: Yewande Austin, Founder/President of the Global Institute for Diversity and Change