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I recently had the privilege of interviewing my colleague at HvA, Maurits Brans, a dedicated educator and advocate for diversity and inclusion (D&I). Our conversation delved into his experiences and insights on how to implement DEI training programs effectively, while also considering the role of creativity and dialogue in fostering innovation. Maurits emphasized that D&I should not be seen merely as a progressive initiative but as a fertile and dynamic foundation for creativity. By welcoming diverse voices and communities, D&I fuels innovation and helps achieve organizational goals. He advocates for adopting an outcome-based approach, ensuring that D& programs not only resonate with diverse audiences but also drive meaningful, measurable outcomes and impact. A key takeaway from our discussion was the importance of moving beyond rigid frameworks and embracing a more flexible, inclusive nudging mindset. This shift fosters creativity and empowers educators, students, and employees to collaborate in ways that make everyone feel valued and heard. Creativity and dialogue serve as essential tools in this process, helping to create a space where diverse ideas thrive, and innovative solutions emerge. Let’s continue the conversation on how we can leverage D&I as a catalyst for organizational growth and success!

📖 National Learning and Development Month is observed every October to promote continuous learning and personal growth. Observing this month can be as simple as taking a class, volunteering to help children learn, or joining a school board. 🏫 Education is a critical factor in achieving success. National Learning and Development Month, celebrated each October, reminds us of the importance of supporting Education and learning at all stages of life. 🧠 It's important to remember that Education is not just for children. Acquiring knowledge is a lifelong pursuit. Education and learning play a crucial role in human progress. Refrain from relying on others to do the hard work for you. Take the initiative and never stop learning. 📝 🚨 Join us on Wednesday, October 30th, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET for our first-ever Diversity University. We'll combine experts and diverse organizations for conversations on various topics related to DEI in the workforce. ✅ Please take a look at the great sessions on our agenda! 📅 Register at: https://bit.ly/3XumXhv 📝

Join the Lyra Colorado team at The Attainment Network’s 3rd annual Career-Connected L/Earning Conference on September 18 and 19. This collaborative conference brings together over 500 leaders in education, industry, government, and philanthropy to share insights and progress on our shared goal of building education-to-workforce systems that meet the needs of today’s economy. The rapid evolution of clean energy technologies requires a whole new level of collaboration to prepare diverse learners for success in the growing workforce. Building lasting change requires working in partnership – and we know this is challenging, hard work for the organizations tasked with preparing workers. Be sure to join our sessions about the Regional Green Jobs Report and Expanding Climate Education through Policy. The conference will also include insights from other organizations and industries on how they are addressing challenges in the education-to-workforce system, including the leadership role employers must play, promising practices on upskilling current workers, using virtual reality for career exploration, and more. Check out the Session Overview for a snapshot of the opportunities to learn how we can work together to build a robust education-to-workforce pipeline of workers with the skills and education needed to fill critical jobs in clean energy. The Career-Connected L/Earning Conference provides opportunities to connect with leaders at Colorado’s school districts, postsecondary institutions, local employers, government, and philanthropy who are embracing the hard work of true partnership needed to transform our education-to-workforce systems. We hope to see you this September in Greeley! #EdColo Register here: https://bit.ly/3U5mT7q

Industry leading approach..? We agree - this is such an important approach to take, which hints at good EDI strategy. We'd love to support Buckinghamshire New University and you, Professor Damien Page, to embed this EDI-focused approach in your recruitment/hiring practices in future. It's a good start, but it needs to be followed through in all aspects of the organisation to create significant change. https://lnkd.in/eGm-Ru-R

Grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and proud of the work being accomplished. Excited to continue building on this momentum! 💎 Key Achievements & Contributions in September 2024 ▪️Cross-Departmental Leadership: Catalyzed a cross-departmental conversation around the development of a campus-wide interactive map toward advanced accessibility goals in alignment with DOJ & ADA mandates, with further contributions from colleagues to bring key players together for implementation. Led cross-functional follow-up on the web accessibility plan, ensuring progress on campus accessibility taskforce initiatives, enhancing institutional compliance and inclusivity. ▪️Global Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitated a global strategy meeting with key stakeholders for a Spring 2025 initiative, building on the institution’s strong foundation in global initiatives and further advancing its position for continued international growth. ▪️Operational Excellence: Managed the Office of Accessible Education and maintained essential services during adverse conditions (e.g., tropical storm), demonstrating agility and leadership under pressure. Delivered key outcomes in student retention by optimizing intake processes, ensuring streamlined procedures for both students and staff. ▪️Thought Leadership & Institutional Impact: Presented at the Student Leadership Conference on Accessibility & Universal Design, reinforcing institutional values and providing strategic direction for campus-wide efforts. Recognized as a BJDEI Champion, exemplifying commitment to belonging, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. ▪️Stakeholder Collaboration & Mentorship: Collaborated with senior leadership, including the Director of Institutional Assessment to align on strategic priorities, and long-term departmental goals. Established mentorship connections with emerging professionals on campus, fostering leadership development and supporting diversity initiatives through meaningful, one-on-one guidance. ▪️Student-Centered Leadership: Managed crisis situations, providing timely intervention and ensuring students received essential support. Guided parents through campus success strategies, reinforcing trust in institutional procedures. ▪️Positive Performance Review: Recognized for consistently meeting performance goals, with a strong focus on strategic vision, leadership development, and accessibility advancements.

Looking forward to taking part in The Open University’s Elevate Equity event next Wednesday, 22 May. I’ll be sharing the insights and experience gained through EY Foundation’s work with employers to build a more diverse workforce and harness young talent.   Given the findings of a recent report from The Open University, which detailed that: 📊 46% of employers struggle to recruit young people, and 53% have trouble retaining them 📊 54% of organizations lack specific initiatives or programmes for employees under 25, exacerbating the skills gap 📊 58% of leaders report a skills mismatch, with declines in soft (54%) and technical skills (55%) among young workers There is clearly more that can be done to bring both sides of the labour market together, to the benefit of both young people and employers, making discussions like these and the action that is taken off the back of them all the more important. Elevate Equity is a day of keynote speakers and panel discussions exploring how employers can attract, develop and grow young talent. You can sign up to attend virtually or in person here: https://lnkd.in/eVYMvqp5

Calling all employers in the North West! 💼 As economic growth and prosperity hinge on the ability to draw in and retain top talent, there's no denying the pivotal role that universities play in this equation. The University of Chester recognises this and we're dedicated to ensuring our graduates are not just equipped to enter the workforce but are also keen on contributing to the economic fabric of the North West region.  🚀 We're excited to announce our new Student Education Plan, a strategic blueprint that defines our commitment to educational excellence for our 14,000+ strong student body. This plan is more than just an academic guideline - it's our vision for powering regional growth by aligning our curriculum with the real-world skills employers are seeking.  🗣️ However, to shape a plan that truly resonates with the dynamic needs of the marketplace, we need insights from the people who understand these needs best - you, regional employers!  🤝 Join us at one of our four Employer Roundtable Discussion Events in February 2024, where you can contribute to shaping the curriculum that will empower the next generation of skilled professionals. Your expertise is invaluable in highlighting the technical, interpersonal, and occupational competencies that will define the future of work in our region.  ✨ Take this opportunity to influence our educational strategies and ensure that our graduates are your future standout employees. Help us embed #FutureSkills that are critical to your industry's success. We're eager to collaborate with you to build a vigorous regional economy, powered by well-prepared University of Chester graduates.  📅 Don't miss out on this chance to make a difference!   ▶️ Spread the word by sharing this post with your network. ▶️ RSVP to secure your spot at a Roundtable event. Email e.clare@chester.ac.uk to sign up.  #UniversityOfChester #TalentDevelopment #RegionalGrowth #EmployerEngagement #SkillsGap #EconomicDevelopment #HigherEducation #WorkforceReadiness #ChesterGraduates #NorthWestBusiness 

how to do work with compassion

Want to take some meaningful action with your DEI policy? Consider this framework by CCL! 🤔 CCL’s research-based ‘R.E.A.L.’ framework provides concrete recommendations for actions that you and your organisation can take. 📈 ✅ R - Reveal Relevant Opportunities → This step is about figuring out where your specific institution is lacking in effective DEI policies. Different initiatives will vary in effectiveness by organisation, based on what actually needs changing. If you’re working on issues that don’t need to be solved, you’re making as much progress as a hamster on a wheel. ✅ E - Elevate Equity → Remember that giving everyone an equal opportunity doesn’t mean giving everyone equal treatment. Just like schools give dyslexic students extra time or reading aids, your organisation might have to consider accommodations based on a multitude of demographic factors. Consider giving your applicants and employees contextually appropriate solutions. ✅ A - Activate Diversity → Make sure you’re actively trying to encourage contribution from many walks of life. Whether that’s from your employees or customer base, engage with these differences *actively* and intentionally to achieve best results. ✅ L - Lead Inclusively → Be intentional about the skills that you’re learning as a leader. If you’re attempting to lead a DEI initiative, improving your own knowledge of the problem will help you tackle it as best you can. Setting the bar for inclusivity high with your own behaviour is a great way to create a new norm in your organisation’s culture. —————————— 🌟 Hi! We’re BIB. We connect Host Boards with Board Apprentices, with the aim of upskilling a diverse base of candidates to be the board leaders of tomorrow. 🌟 We’re currently looking for Host Boards! There is no cost and the onboarding process is seamless. Come and be part of building the pipeline of diverse talent. Email BIB@engagetransform.co.uk for details! 🌟 We’re currently accepting Board Apprentices! If you are interested in becoming a Board Apprentice yourself, please email us at BIB@engagetransform.co.uk for details! —————————— #DiversityAndInclusion #BlackandBrilliant #Womenempowerment #StructuralRacism #DEI #Equity #Inspiration #DiverseTeams #CulturallyDiverseBusinesses #CandidateAttraction #Equity

Reflecting m my first EDUCAUSE annual conference in over 5 years, it was great to meet up with friends and mentors, many I had not seen in person since our 2020 travel hiatus (I am trying to consciously move away from the pandemic label). What struck me, after walking the vendor floor, is that we as a sector are paying for all those t shirts and flashing lights, while dealing with the growing cost of higher education. A strong vendor ecosystem can help support our institutional goals of inclusion and engagement, but what happens if incentives are misaligned?.My goal is not to single out any vendor, but instead to pose a question: what if the cost of each box of shirts was the difference between a student completing a degree or not? What is our role as leaders in higher education on this? I welcome your thoughts.