October 5, 2020
KSUnite: Difference Makes Us Stronger occurs on Oct. 13
Kansas State University students, faculty and staff will once again join together for the annual KSUnite event to mark our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging on campus. KSUnite: Difference Makes Us Stronger will occur from 11 a.m.-3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in an entirely virtual presentation. This year's KSUnite will include a welcome video, two plenary sessions with nationally known speakers and two periods of breakout sessions.
In response to requests for off-campus, nationally recognized speakers to be a part of the event, the planning committee has arranged to bring in two speakers to present plenary sessions as part of this year’s KSUnite event. The first session will be an interactive live art presentation by proactive artist Bunky Echo-Hawk during which he will create a piece of his artwork for the new Morris Family Multicultural Student Center. The second session will be a presentation on institutional racism titled “History Reconsidered” by Clint Smith, an author, poet and activist.
There will be a total of 18 breakout sessions covering a variety of topics at one of three levels of engagement: Introductory, Intermediate and Immersive. These sessions include:
An Atheist Asks: What am I Missing?
Engagement: Intermediate
Black and Indigenous Activist Kansas
Engagement: Introductory
"The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" book discussion
Engagement: Introductory
Choice of Weapons: Art to Open Minds
Engagement: Introductory
Civic Discourse as a Disposition for Engaging Difference
Engagement: Introductory
Collaborating to increase recruitment and retention of diverse students in undergraduate and graduate education in STEM Fields
Engagement: Intermediate
Collegiality & Inclusivity: Tips for and Practice Being an Ally
Engagement: Intermediate
Diverse Voices in the Media: Lessons from Reporting on LGBTQ Kansas
Engagement: Introductory
The Diversity Bonus: Differences Make Teams Stronger
Engagement: Intermediate
From Deficit to Possibility: Indigenous Presence at K-State and the IFSA
Engagement: Introductory
K-State's Undergraduate Diversity Learning Outcome
Engagement: Intermediate
Listening As a Path To Openness
Engagement: Intermediate
Preparing for Class Discussions on Issues Related to Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice
Engagement: Introductory
Surrounding Yourself with Difference: The Trusted 6
Engagement: Intermediate
Understanding the Cognitive Toll Lost to Poverty, Racism and Marginalization
Engagement: Immersive
Unpacking Whiteness: Moving Beyond Allyship
Engagement: Intermediate
Unpacking Unhealthy Relationships in 2020
Engagement: Introductory
Using Data to Inform Our Actions and Improve Educational Equity at K-State
Engagement: Intermediate
The welcome video will be made available at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with the first plenary session, Echo-Hawk, to follow at noon and Smith’s plenary session at 1 p.m. Breakout sessions will be split into two periods of nine sessions each with period one beginning at 2 p.m. and period two following at 3 p.m.
Due to the loss of face-to-face class time in this current COVID-19 pandemic and the virtual nature of the event, we have decided not to put additional strain on instructors and classes will not be canceled for the KSUnite event this year.
For more information on the KSUnite schedule, speakers and presenters, please visit the KSUnite webpage.