Educators from across the state will have the opportunity to come to California State University, Bakersfield this week to discuss issues involving social justice.
For the first time, CSUB will host the California chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education’s annual conference on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m in the Icardo Center. The conference will include several speakers and workshops focusing on topics such as ethnic studies and providing more support to LGTBQ+ students.
The association is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing and advocating for equity and social justice through multicultural education.
“This conference provides a safe space for educators, activists and students to come together and have a healthy dialogue about social justice issues and how to best serve our community,” said Dr. Bryan Bowens, a member of the chapter’s board and a CSUB alumnus.
The conference’s keynote speakers are civil rights activist Dolores Huerta and Dr. Bre Evans-Santiago, assistant professor and chair of CSUB’s Teacher Education Department. In addition, President Lynnette Zelezny, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vernon Harper and Social Sciences and Education Dean James Rodriguez will provide a welcome message to help kick off the event.
Dr. Bowens, who is working with Dr. Evans-Santiago to organize the conference, said he advocated to the board for CSUB to host the conference as he felt its size and proximity to hotels and restaurants would make it a good fit.
“We’re going to have people from all over the state coming to Bakersfield,” he said. “This is a big thing for CSUB that will help put it on the map and show what it has to offer.”
Dr. Evans-Santiago said the conference gives the university the chance to show that it is committed to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
“This is an opportunity for CSUB to stand up and say that this is what we believe and here we are to show that,” she said.
This event is the first in-person conference the California chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education has had in about three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Evans-Santiago said she is glad that CSUB gets to be the first institution to bring people together again.
“I’m just so proud to be a part of this university and to be able to share that with others now that we’re able to come together again. What an amazing way to celebrate,” she said.
However, the conference is not just meant to be fun, Dr. Evans-Santiago said. The goal is to improve educational outcomes for students.
“It’s a good time to have something so positive and celebratory, but at the same time accepting a charge,” she said. “I hope it makes people think about what they can do individually to better serve underrepresented students and be ready to take next steps. We want to inform you and share information, but we also want you to leave ready to do action.”
Dr. Evans-Santiago said that can take a variety of forms, such as new policies or revised teaching strategies.
“We need to make moves to make education better for all students and continue to increase student success,” she said.
Admission to the conference is $40 for educators, $20 for community members and $10 for students. Click here to register.
For more information about the National Association for Multicultural Education, visit nameorg.org.
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