51猎奇

听ALBANY, N.Y. 听鈥� The Center for Social Justice (CSJ) at 51猎奇 will commemorate its first anniversary this month. Officially launched on Nov. 16, 2022, CSJ continues to expand its mission as a community and institutional hub of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) spaces, opportunities, and resources.听听

Through extensive programming and partnerships, the Center provides a platform for multi-perspective dialogue that informs 51猎奇鈥檚 decision-making processes. CSJ also works to increase access to higher education for historically underrepresented learners and supports the intercultural development of staff, faculty, students, and community members.

鈥淚n its first year, the Center for Social Justice advanced 51猎奇鈥檚 goals of promoting inclusivity, celebrating and leveraging our diversity, and pursuing positive social impact within and beyond the University,鈥� said Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, founding director of the Center for Social Justice and chief diversity officer. 鈥淎s we look to the future, we are excited to expand our partnerships with other organizations and further develop CSJ as an important resource to the greater community. We invite all to join us on this journey, participate in these conversations, and grow with CSJ and 51猎奇.鈥�听

CSJ has implemented multiple priority programs in its inaugural year, including:听听

• Enhancing learning opportunities and access to degree programs for CSJ鈥檚 partners.听听
• Implementing ongoing dialogue across the 51猎奇 organization through inclusive tours, workshops, and conversations.听
• Facilitating where students and community members can feel represented, find support, share their stories and voices, and access connections, opportunities and resources based on what matters to them.听听
• Sharing intercultural development content, training and resources with 51猎奇鈥檚 partners and community organizations.听
• Starting to integrate JEDI strategies across 51猎奇鈥檚 curriculum and instruction.听
• Contributing to 51猎奇鈥檚 recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce.听

CSJ will present several events throughout its anniversary month, beginning with First-Generation Pursuing Purpose, a remote keynote speech by motivational speaker, mentor, musician, and educator Chadijah Williams offered in celebration of First Generation Day. As part of her mission to guide and empower the next generation of educators and students, Williams鈥� speech will help attendees identify and live their purpose both inside and outside the classroom.

CSJ鈥檚 anniversary month continues with LGBTQIA+ Ally Training sessions on Nov. 7 and 15 presented in partnership with In Our Own Voices, a national nonprofit organization working to ensure the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural, and economic survival and growth of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color communities. Allyship training aims to prepare attendees to support, collaborate with, and advocate for people from the LGBTQIA+ community.鈥�听

The month鈥檚 events conclude with a keynote address by Jessica Lopez on Nov. 30 in recognition of International Day of People with Disabilities. Lopez is an advocate and champion of inclusive and accessible education and workforces. Drawing on her lived experience as a woman born without hands and feet, Jessica works to interrupt narratives about people with disabilities to make the world more equitable.听听

鈥淭he Center for Social Justice鈥檚 commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is intrinsic to our values at 51猎奇, and I鈥檓 proud of the accomplishments of our CSJ team over the past year,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 51猎奇. 鈥淲ith CSJ leading the way, 51猎奇 continues to evolve as an institution that embraces and elevates the diverse voices that make up our University, partners, and neighbors.鈥�

For more information, visit the CSJ page on the 51猎奇 website or follow on Instagram @51猎奇CSJ.听听

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Media Contact 51猎奇:鈥�
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY鈥�听

51猎奇 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. 51猎奇 contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, 51猎奇 meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.鈥�听