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 and continuing 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.

Everyone Belongs Here graphic with hearts

Symposium on Inclusive Excellence 2024

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024

The 2024 Symposium theme was Creating Belonging: A Call to Action and featured Dr. Terrell Strayhorn as keynote speaker. Faculty, staff, and students dedicated their time to provide the LVC Community with a variety of educational and interactive afternoon sessions to further our commitment to Inclusive Excellence.

This year’s Symposium followed a kick-off social justice lecture by Rev. Dr. Bernice King in September.

2024 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Terrell Lamont Strayhorn is one of the most prolific and influential scholars in the fields of education, psychology, and the academic study of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Named of the country’s “Top Diversity Scholars” by Diverse Issues in Higher Education and a remarkable “Bridge-Builder” between academic- and student affairs by one of ACPA’s commissions, Strayhorn has authored 12 books, including the award-winning College Students’ Sense of Belonging (2nd ed, 2019), and over 200+ peer-reviewed journal articles and academic publications. His research has been cited, endorsed, or financially supported by over $10 million from the most premiere agencies in the world including Lumina Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, National Science Foundation, to name a few. One of his core passions is translating research-to-practice in ways that improve the material conditions and lived experiences of our most vulnerable populations. He accomplishes this mission largely through the more than 2000+ public talks, distinguished lectures, and keynotes he has delivered across the globe.

A respected thought-leader and highly-sought speaker, Strayhorn’s ground-breaking research has been cited in many outlets including The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Huffington Post, Essence, and Diverse Issues, to name a few. He is President and CEO of Do Good Work Consulting Group, a minority-owned business that partners with hundreds of colleges, universities, corporations, and agencies each year to enhance culture, build inclusive environments, and boost belonging in ways that raise morale, increase retention, improve people’s journey, and help organizations hit their bottom line. He’s a Contributing Writer for Entrepreneur, Thrive Global, AllBusiness, and Psychology Today, where he leads the “Belonging Matters” blog.

Strayhorn is Professor of Education and Psychology; Director of the Center for the Study of HBCUs, and Principal Investigator of The Belonging Lab at Virginia Union University, where he also serves as Associate Provost for Faculty Development. He is Diversity Scholar-in-Residence at Harrisburg Area Community College, Fellow of AGB’s Institute for Leadership & Governance, and board member for several non-profits including Rainbow Labs, Oregon Outreach Inc., Career Analysis Academy, Psychologists of Color Inc., and the MCT Educational Foundation. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Company: Do Good Work Consulting Group
Website: www.dogoodworkllc.org
Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram

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.