Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Heart to Heart Conversations

Heart to Heart Conversations: A Space for Connecting and Sharing Stories

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) hosts the Heart to Heart sessions for faculty and staff, where participants can share their stories and perspectives.  Heart-to-Heart Conversations create inclusive and brave spaces where employees are encouraged to engage in conversations about diversity & inclusion to create a more profound sense of belonging. These dialogues will provide opportunities to understand each other better, increase employee engagement, and build more effective teams. While diversity and inclusion can mean different things to different people across different cultures, the importance of belonging is universal. Cultivating an environment where all employees feel like they belong is a goal that everyone can embrace.

In recent Heart to Heart Conversations participants engaged in deep conversations about critical social justice issues in the current national news.  We continue to learn about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the lives of our students, staff, and faculty. Some disparities and inequities among populations are glaring, and many of the challenges that people face are daunting. Many of us are feeling the emotional, social, and economic effects of the pandemic. 

Our latest topics included:

  • Removal of monuments and controversial products
  • Buildings and sports team name changes occurring across the country
  • The resurgence in the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., and
  • The reopening of elementary schools and colleges in the fall

Please join Tracey DuEst, Aleshia Zoogah, Whitney Costner, Matescia Stroud, Amber Rogers, and Debra Bryant as they provide opportunities for staff and faculty to dialogue and hold space for each other in the spirit of our Ignatian values.

Fall 2021 Dates 

September 28 Registration

October 19 Registration

November 30 Registration

3:00-4:00 PM via Zoom