University of Phoenix is pleased to share that Saray Lopez, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion with the Office of Educational Equity, was a featured guest of “In the Margins” podcast by the publication Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Diverse is a sponsor of the University’s first annual free and virtual Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair, April 12-15, 2022.
The podcast episode, “Creating the Intentional Leader of Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond at the Inclusive Leadership Summit, University of Phoenix,” was hosted by Jamal Watson, Ph.D., editor-at-large. Watson and Lopez discussed the importance of establishing a learning community devoted to racial justice, equity, and supporting the environments where students and alumni live, and how the event contributes to this work.
“Diversity is in the DNA of our institution,” states Lopez. “We have a responsibility – and a passion – to create the spaces and opportunities for necessary conversations in order to create change and foster inclusive environments.”
Lopez discussed the role of the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) at the University of Phoenix, which offers opportunities for professional development and contributes to student experience and belonging, culturally responsive practices, and building community for career enhancement. In addition to the Summit, the OEE has implemented an Inclusive Café for ongoing faculty and staff conversations, and the monthly Educational Equity webinars open to the public, which provide thought-provoking conversations about equity and inclusion in the classroom, workplace and community. Additionally, Lopez shared the origin and vision of the summit and career fair, and outlined the keynote speakers, topics, and what attendees can expect.
Lopez and Tondra Richardson, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion were both recently selected as honorees of the 2022 class of leading women in higher education by Diverse. The March 3, 2022 edition highlighted Lopez and Richardson as two of 25 women setting the stage for future generations in the academy by tackling some of higher education’s toughest challenges, exhibiting extraordinary leadership skills and making a positive difference in their respective communities.
Lopez recently completed the New Leadership Academy Fellowship at University of Michigan in partnership with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. Lopez is a first-generation Ph.D. student and is passionate about creating access to education and career opportunities to enhance the quality of life of individuals regardless of their ethnicity, country of origin, socio-economic status, or any circumstance. Lopez currently serves on the board of Achieving My Purpose and on various regional committees including Tempe Union High District Community Diversity Advisory Committee, Arizona Multicultural Education Conference Committee, and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce DATOS Research Committee. Lopez was awarded the Inclusive Leader Award from the Diversity Leadership Alliance and Arizona Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) in November 2019.
Diverse featured the Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair in a March 15 article.
Register for the University of Phoenix Inclusive Leadership Summit here.
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