Description

Our words and actions play a crucial part in how relationships in the workplace are cultivated. This webinar will create a BRAVE SPACE for people to engage with the topic of tokenism and how it can present in the workplace through speech and actions of colleagues and supervisors. Be prepared to bring your experiences and questions. Back by popular demand from ASCA Annual Conference 2024!

This session is approved to offer CE credits for Student Affairs Educator Certification. This session will offer 1 CE for Student Conduct Specialty or Core (Social Justice & Inclusion).  The code is CSAEd-SC-58 or CSAEd-169.

Presenter Bios

Erika Crawley (She/Her/Hers) Erika Crawley brings over 7 years of experience in higher education - student affairs with expertise in conflict resolution, program management, assessment, and student and employee advocacy. As an Assistant Director for Student Conduct and Community Standards at Cornell University, Erika  has served her campus community as Women’s Representative for Employee Assembly - a governing body that advocates for policy change for employees across campus and as the Executive Vice Chair for the University Assembly - a governing body that supports the Office of the President in implementing and reviewing university policies for the continued growth and development of the University community. Erika is passionate about equity and inclusion in the workplace, as illustrated through her service in ASCA as Equity & Inclusion Vice Chair for Regions 5 and 10, Co-Chair for Historically Underrepresented Institutions, and currently as the Chair for the Equity & Inclusion Committee. Contact: ec754@cornell.edu

Kavaris Sims (He/Him/His) Kavaris Sims is a native of Austin, Texas, and serves as a student affairs professional specializing in serving underrepresented student populations. Kavaris is a first-generation high school graduate who views "true" education as a means of generational advancement. He received a Bachelor's Degree in computer science and a Master of Education degree in Urban Education from Langston University. In addition, he is currently enrolled in the Adult and Higher Education Ph.D. program at the University of Oklahoma, with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2026. Kavaris serves as the Associate Dean of Student Life for Community Standards and Student Support within the Office of Student Life at Ferris State University.

With an interest in exploring Black Male experiences while navigating Student Conduct within the collegiate environment, Kavaris views his academic and professional work as a catalyst for innovation to support marginalized student groups. He believes doing so requires coalition building that fosters brave space development amongst students, staff, and faculty. To recite the renowned author and activist, James Baldwin's "Not Everything That is Faced Can Be Changed, But Nothing Can Be Changed Until It Is Faced," Kavaris enters this critical discussion with the understanding that success and change go hand in hand you can't have one without the other, if we always do what we have always done, we will always be who we always were. Creating safe climates is our priority; however, an educator's "true" role is to seek methods for challenging systems and ways of knowing. Contact: ascadirectorhui2023@theasca.org