Join our interactive session on leveraging Generative AI (GAI) to enhance accessibility in STEM education. Delve into Systems Thinking and discover how GAI transcends visual barriers for the visually impaired. We’ll engage in practical exercises, demonstrating AI’s utility in adapting educational tools for inclusivity and complying with the ADA. Educators will learn to implement these accessible solutions—and experience AI’s transformative impact on creating an inclusive learning landscape. Let's learn and innovate together for a more inclusive future in STEM.

*Attendees should bring a laptop or smartphone to practice what will be demonstrated in this session.

This session will begin with a brief overview of SPCE’s mission, vision, values, history, and impact. The session will continue by taking a deeper dive into each of SPCE’s programs: Youth Programs, Lifelong Learning Institute, Professional Development, and the Adult Degree Program. Each program director will discuss their program’s mission, audience, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging.

This presentation focuses on the impact of having a Hispanic caucus for faculty and staff in a predominantly white institution. We explore the impact of the caucus on its members, both professionally and personally. We also examine how caucus’ membership helps build a comunidad on and off campus. Our findings indicate that the caucus positively impacts its members and allows them to build a sense of belonging, well-being, and comunidad. In conclusion, affinity groups are vital for underrepresented populations. Therefore, higher education institutions should prioritize allocating resources and creating safe and inclusive spaces specifically for Hispanic faculty and staff.

Stories can be a catalyst of positive change and used as weapon of dehumanization. In this session, we will discuss the power that stories play in how we understand each other and the world. We will explore storytelling as tool for critical self-reflection, a way to build community, and a means to advocate for equity.

Through a panel of participants and creators, this session highlights the College of Health and Behavioral Studies’ LEAD Fellows Program, which is a year-long opportunity for self-defined diverse, and underrepresented faculty/staff to explore higher education leadership in keeping with an inclusive excellence foundation. This program prioritizes a JEDIB [Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging] framework. Fellows develop their understanding of higher education through engagement with JMU leaders. Information about diversity in higher education leadership will be provided.

For many employers Neurodiversity may be a new term. However, if organizations are going to be inclusive they cannot exclude such a significant demographic as the neurodivergent. In this session, we will explore common misconceptions of those with various neurodiversity abilities and the benefits of hiring neurodiverse employees. Participants will discover ways that employers can work with community partners, such as the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), to provide meaningful employment opportunities for those with disabilities and how positive mentorship programs help to foster long-term success in the workplace for neurodiverse employees.