Leading EDJ 2025: FIFTH YEAR!

Embracing Difference, Embodying Access, Emphasizing Progress: Leading with Love

Hollins’ annual Leading Equity, Diversity, and Justice (EDJ) Conference aims to create an intentional and meaningful space to reflect, learn, and facilitate action toward making Hollins a more equitable and just community.

2025 marks the FIFTH YEAR for Leading EDJ, and the conference will run from Thursday afternoon, February 13, through Friday, February 14. The theme is Embracing Difference, Embodying Access, and Emphasizing Progress: Leading with Love.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13

3:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Sessions
6 p.m.: Opening Session: Presidential Panel Discussion

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

10 a.m.: Keynote Address: Ibtihaj Muhammed
11:30 a.m.: Session Block A
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch
1:45 p.m.: Session Block B
3:30 p.m.: Session Block C
4:45 p.m.: Session Block D

Questions? Contact Student Success, Well-being, and Belonging at 540-362-6072 or hackleyhuntdm@hollins.edu!

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Schedule of Events

Thursday, February 13

Thursday Afternoon Sessions — 3:30 – 5:00 pm

The International Student Experience in the Global Context (90 minutes)

LOCATION: VAC AUDITORIUM
PRESENTERS: CATHERINE FONG with Asma Darwish, Yuzuki Ogawa, Aidana Bakytbek kyzy, Liah-Rae Tucker, Melissa Batyi, Eisha Ayub, Phuong Anh Ha
This roundtable group discussion will illustrate what it means to be an international student on a local and national scale. Diving into topics such as visa limitations, life after graduation, and national policies that affect us, we invite international students and Hollins staff to identify and strategize some solutions to the aforementioned topics. Participants will leave with an understanding of the nuances and challenges international students face personally, systematically, and globally.

Curious and Brave: Conversations Across Difference (90 minutes)

LOCATION: DANA 114
PRESENTERS: DINA HACKLEY-HUNT and KATIE ZAWACKI
Using the Study Circle method adopted by Points of Diversity-Roanoke Valley, this workshop will demonstrate a proven method for developing cross-cultural connectedness. Attendees will engage in small group deliberation with trained facilitators to learn how to respectfully listen to others’ viewpoints while sharing their own. Participants will be able to define culture; describe patterns of cultural differences and connectedness; address ways to create community; and more.

Hometown SHEroe: The Story of Henrietta Lacks (60 minutes)

LOCATION: GOODWIN
PRESENTER: ANITA PRICE
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) is an educational and cultural institution committed to promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the art and history of African Americans for Roanoke Valley citizens and visitors. This session will focus on telling the story of Henrietta Lacks. With roots in Roanoke, Henrietta Lacks—whose body produced super cells that led to some of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century—legacy on medical advancements, health care ethics, and patients’ rights remain visible today. Attendees will be able to understand the story and history left on us and recognize the origins of distrust felt by historically underserved communities nationwide while being able to advocate for a more inclusive and caring health care institution for everyone.

Storytelling & Connections (60 minutes)

LOCATION: HOLLINS ROOM
PRESENTER: ELANI SPENCER
In Storytelling & Connections, participants will engage in a story circle with other conference attendees. A story circle is derived from the Civil Rights movement. It encourages people to share their personal experiences and journeys with their community in a safe environment. This story circle will follow the theme of “Embracing difference” and participants will discuss how they have embraced differences in their own lives. They will then write poetry about the experiences shared in the story circle, followed by sharing their work with each other open-mic style. Participants will learn how sharing their story can be therapeutic and bring individuals closer together. They will also learn how to turn their experiences into art, and how that art can make a difference.

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Opening Session — Presidential Panel: “Her-story in Leadership: A Presidential Perspective on Leading in Uncertain Times” — 6 – 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: HOLLINS THEATRE
PRESIDENTIAL PANEL: Mary Dana Hinton of Hollins University, Ann McElaney-Johnson of Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, and Suzanne Elise Walsh of Bennett College – Moderated by Kianna Marshall
In the 1960s, some 230 women’s colleges populated the United States higher education landscape. By 2000, that number was down to 64. By 2019, it was almost half that at 38. And now, in 2025, only 26 women’s colleges remain. Three presidents of women’s colleges will share their experiences and insights as they discuss how women’s colleges in America are more important than ever even as their numbers continue to dwindle and enrollment challenges have become a threat to hundreds of colleges.

In celebration of the fifth-year anniversary of Leading EDJ, a presidential panel of three esteemed presidents of women’s colleges across the nation will provide leadership lessons and illuminate the critical need for women’s colleges and continued investment in the next generation of leaders who attend the institutions they lead. The panel will be moderated by Kianna Marshall, who serves as vice president for advancement at United Way of Roanoke Valley. Marshall served for many years as the host of Living Local on WFXR and is the 2021 recipient of the Platinum award for “Female Star of the Star City” by the Roanoker Magazine. 

The event will begin at 6 p.m., with a Q&A to follow at approximately 7 p.m.

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Friday, February 14

Keynote Address — Ibtihaj Muhammad: “The Fight for an Unlikely Dream” — 10 – 11:30 am

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Friday Session Block A — 11:30am – 12:15 pm (45-minute Sessions)

Reframing the History of the Sacred Nile

LOCATION: DANA 102
PRESENTER: CHESTER HIGGINS
Join former staff photographer with the New York Times, Chester Higgins, as he uncovers the spiritual inheritance and buried sacred history of faith in Africa before Genesis and slavery. This session will take participants on a journey through the Nile River, highlighting the African influence on ancient faith development.

Who Do You See? Consideration of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity

LOCATION: VAC 119
PRESENTER: LISA SPENCER
The session will leverage the work of Local Colors, a nonprofit that celebrates international diversity and fosters values of inclusion, equity and multicultural understanding, and explore how we consider race, ethnicity and cultural diversity.

Healing Space: “Dream, America”

LOCATION: EDW MUSEUM
PRESENTER: LAURA JANE RAMSBURG
The exhibition “Dream, America” features six socially and politically engaged artists who created artwork in response to recent American political events. Ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, nostalgia, and faith inform their contemporary viewpoints on the accepted historical chronology. Where groups feel excluded from a national narrative, this exhibition seeks to include them and validate their viewpoints. In this session, the exhibition will be open as a healing space. After participating in this session, attendees should be able to confront, acknowledge, and evaluate their emotional responses to American political events of the last decade.

Soothing the Inner Critic: Allowing Self-Acceptance to Bridge Differences and Create Opportunities

LOCATION: GREEN DRAWING ROOM
PRESENTER: LARISSA POWERS
Through storytelling and meditation, participants will be guided through a visualization exercise designed to expand our collective ability to embrace difference. Session participants will learn that embracing difference and creating opportunities for progress and access start from within.

My ‘Pinball Brain’: How to Support Neurodiverse Colleagues

LOCATION: DANA 142
PRESENTER: DEVON LINEBERRY-JENNINGS
This session discusses neurodiverse perspectives in a neurotypical world. How can others help support those who are neurodiverse? After participating in this session, attendees will be able to define what neurodiverse-affirming choices are, explore neurodiverse communication in the workplace, and carry at least one strategy they learned into the world to help others in the neurodiverse population.

Writing in Non-English Languages

LOCATION: DANA 114
PRESENTERS: QURRAT UL AIN RAZA ABBAS and GILLIAN LIONBERGER
A reading of the original works featuring a non-English language, from a native speaker and a second-language speaker of a non-English language. Participants will develop their confidence in creating and engaging with work in a non-English language.

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LUNCH BREAK — 12:15 – 1:15pm

Human Connection to Navigate Complex Conversations

+++ SPECIAL INVITATION ONLY +++

LOCATION: BALLATOR
PRESENTER: JESSICA ELMORE, ED.D.
This session is designed for participants who seek to improve their skills in handling challenging discussions. Participants will learn practical strategies for managing difficult conversations and maintaining professionalism under pressure.

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Friday Session Block B — 1: 45 – 3:15 pm (90-minute Sessions)

Challenging White Saviorism

LOCATION: BABCOCK
PRESENTERS: DECCA KNIGHT and KRISTIN TADLOCK BELL
This session delves into the complex and often misunderstood concept of White Saviorism. Participants will explore the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of White Saviorism, examining how well-intentioned efforts to “help” marginalized communities can inadvertently perpetuate systemic inequalities and reinforce harmful power dynamics.

A Change is Gonna Co… is Here: Resilient in Change

LOCATION: VAC 119
PRESENTER: ASHLEY GADDY ROBBINS, PH.D.
This session will discuss the impacts of change in higher education and how the faculty and staff can be resilient and adaptable as shifts occur. Participants will also leave with information and tools to continue to do intentional work, get excited about the possibilities, and sustain impact.

From Charity to Justice: Reframing [Black] Philanthropy for Systemic Change

LOCATION: DANA 102
PRESENTER: FATIMA SMITH
This workshop will lead attendees in an examination of the limitations of traditional philanthropic models and explore a new approach that centers justice and community empowerment. We will discuss: The Role of Black Philanthropy: How Black communities have historically been givers, and how we can harness this power to drive social change as well as The Impact of Nonprofits: A critical examination of the role of nonprofits in addressing social issues, and whether they always serve the best interests of the communities they serve. The Power of Trust-Based Philanthropy: A deep dive into the principles and practices of trust-based philanthropy, which prioritizes relationships, transparency, and community-led decision-making. Centering Black and Brown Communities: Strategies for empowering Black and Brown communities as thought leaders and decision-makers in shaping their own futures.

Equity in Action: Negotiation Strategies for Progress

LOCATION: DANA 114
PRESENTER: KARA BELLE ARNOLD
This session is designed to empower participants with negotiation skills that drive equity and progress. Participants will explore the systemic barriers that hinder equity in negotiation, particularly for women and marginalized groups, and learn strategies to address these challenges effectively. The workshop will engage participants in interactive activities rooted in a mission to close the gender pay gap by equipping attendees with actionable tools to advocate for themselves and others. Participants will leave with a practical mini-guide summarizing the strategies discussed, empowering them to create equitable change in their workplaces and communities.

Timeline of Progress of the Palestinian Liberation Movement

LOCATION: VAC AUDITORIUM
PRESENTERS: SHAKIRRA PAYNE-FELDER with Charlotte Rossler, Lillian Burns, Vic Lucas, Blair Turner, Sarah Bell, Charlie Miller, Liannae King, Salima Driss
This session will provide participants opportunity to engage in a focused discussion tracing the history, protests, and successes of the Liberation movement of the people of Palestine. Using art, literature, organization mission statements, etc. facilitators hope to communicate the beauty and complexity of the shift towards solidarity of the Palestinian people.

Rest is Our Right: How Self Care is Necessary, Needed, and Non-Negotiable

LOCATION: DANA 142
PRESENTER: JAIMIE GOODMAN
This workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore Self- Care from a S.A.F.E.(Supported, Acknowledged, Fearless, and Encouraged) internal space. In this workshop, participants will explore places of diversity, equity, and inclusion in holistic honoring of oneself thorough day to day practices that help to improve resilience outcomes for themselves and others.

Healing Through Creativity: Music, Writing, and Somatic Approaches for BIPOC Support

LOCATION: GOODWIN
PRESENTER: LA’TOYA NICOLE EDWARDS, PH.D.
This interactive workshop explores the therapeutic potential of creative expression—specifically music, writing, and somatic practices—in supporting the mental health and well-being of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Participants will engage in experiential activities that highlight how these creative modalities can serve as tools for healing, self-discovery, and community connection.

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Friday Session Block C — 3:30 – 4:30 pm (60-minute Sessions)

Building Your Foundation: Creating an Authentic Path to Embracing Difference and Driving Personal and Collective Progress

LOCATION: VAC 119
PRESENTER: MEGAN DOLDRON, PH.D.
This session will explore how building a personal foundation—rooted in self-awareness, resilience, and intentionality—enables individuals to embrace their uniqueness, recognize and respect differences, and contribute meaningfully to an inclusive community. By focusing on both internal development and external engagement, participants will learn how to establish a solid grounding for themselves, how to “carve out a place” in diverse environments, and how these steps cultivate acceptance of others.

Come To Believe: A Model For Creating Equity in Education and Opportunity for Those With The Greatest Need

LOCATION: BABCOCK
PRESENTER: CARLOS MARTINEZ from COME TO BELIEVE
What would a college look like with belonging at the forefront? The CTB model is a two-year college program embedded within a four-year university that is specifically designed to meet the needs of diverse, first generation students from low-wealth backgrounds. This presentation will primarily discuss three key elements of the CTB model: culturally sustaining pedagogy, student-driven co-curriculars, and faculty-staff collaboration as examples of the model’s overarching emphasis on belonging, and how this emphasis contributes to student success.

Unlocking History: The Harrison Museum’s Journey to Embracing Difference, Embodying Access, and Emphasizing Progress

LOCATION: GOODWIN
PRESENTER: SYREETA COMBS and E.B. SMITH
This interactive session will explore the Harrison Museum’s multifaceted approach to “Embracing Difference, Embodying Access, and Emphasizing Progress.” Participants will learn about the museum’s work in collecting and preserving artifacts, oral histories, and art that document the rich history of African Americans in the Roanoke Valley. The session will highlight the museum’s commitment to community collaboration, showcasing partnerships with local organizations to provide engaging cultural experiences and educational programs. Additionally, the session will delve into the museum’s strategies for making historical resources accessible to all, including initiatives to overcome language barriers, accommodate disabilities, and engage diverse age groups. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the museum’s needs and opportunities and how Hollins personnel can contribute to helping to create a vibrant community hub and promote social justice.

Building Sandcastles: A Golden Shovel Workshop

LOCATION: DANA 142
PRESENTER: CHANLEE LUU
In this workshop, participants will read poets with a vast array of identities, use a prompt to write a golden shovel to a poet of their choice, and discuss the ways in which this experience shaped their understanding of poetry and the self.

Living Into Our Values: A Panel Discussion About the Search Advocate Program at Hollins

LOCATION: VAC AUDITORIUM
PANEL: MEREDITH COPE-LEVY, WENDY-MARIE MARTIN, DARLA SCHUMM, and REBECCA SEIPP
Participants will learn about the Search Advocate (SA) program at Hollins which includes faculty and staff who volunteer as process advisors, providing tools, resources, and training to guide committees in conducting equitable and inclusive searches. In this panel discussion, search advocates will speak about their motivation to undergo SA training, their diverse experiences with searches on campus, and their hopes for the future of the SA program. They will also share some best practices that any search committee can enact without a formal SA presence. If you’ve ever been curious about the SA program, or wondered if you would enjoy being an SA, then this session is for you!

Let’s Connect – Traveling to Rural and Underserved Students to Increase their College-Knowledge

LOCATION: DANA 102
PRESENTER: RICH KLINDWORTH, ED.D.
Do you believe in the power of higher education? Are you willing to go above and beyond your job requirements to do whatever you can to ensure students who have the ability to go to college don’t fall through the cracks? This session will highlight the successes and challenges of a college-knowledge program, designed to increase college access and opportunities for bilingual (English/Spanish) students and their families. In this session, participants will learn about recruitment and student success strategies used to increase Hispanic enrollment in college. Learn more about ECU’s Let’s Connect program at https://youtu.be/lSO8Vy99Ls0

The Art of Apology

LOCATION: DANA 114
PRESENTER: LINDSEY MOSER
This session focuses on the power of an authentic apology and its role in resilient relationships. This workshop will help participants understand their “apology origin story” and why forgiveness and authenticity are crucial components of thriving and healthy relationships. The learning outcomes for this workshop is that participants will be able to articulate their apology style, the 5 major types of apologies, and role play a healthy interaction related to wound healing that is applicable to their real relationships and contexts.

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Friday Session Block D — 4:45 – 6:15 pm

Exploring Perceptions Cultural Humility in Study Abroad Programming

+++ 60-MINUTE SESSION +++
LOCATION: VAC 119
PRESENTER: SHANNON FUHRMAN (JOINING VIRTUALLY)
The presenter will join via Zoom to share their research results from a qualitative study of undergraduate students attending Christian higher education institutions where student perceptions of cultural humility were explored. The presenter will also share practical steps to grow cultural humility as a soft skill in study abroad programming and will provide key insights into new curriculum that could improve study abroad programming for all colleges and universities. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be better able to plan for and implement strategies to ensure students feel supported during global excursions in short-term and long-term study abroad settings; design relevant and inclusive study abroad orientation programs; promote a culture of humility during student and faculty-led conversations regarding global engagement.

Queerversations: Conservations About Queerness 

+++ 60-MINUTE SESSION +++
LOCATION: VAC AUDITORIUM
PANEL: ALISON SIBOL, ARI COGSWELL, CHARLOTTE ROSSLER, KENDRA HANKINS, and MEREDITH COPE-LEVY
Panelists will discuss topics such as queer history and how it is relevant today, inclusive language use, how best to create inclusive spaces, identities and being out/open, what to do when misgendering occurs, etc. Audience members will walk away with knowledge concerning these and other queer topics talked about from a variety of different perspectives. There will also be time for audience members to ask questions.

Hollins Living History Project Explained

+++ 60-MINUTE SESSION +++
LOCATION: GOODWIN
PRESENTER: CHINA MOORE ’24
The Hollins Living History Project is a historical and performance-based walking tour held in the quad of the Hollins University campus. Featuring a collection of stories told from the perspective of enslaved individuals. Narratives crafted from archival research conducted in collaboration with fellow Hollins alumni, faculty, and engaged community members. Elucidating the testimonies of those enslaved at Hollins, their descendants, and the Hollins Community.

Third Annual Hollins Cultural Showcase: Changing the Narrative (Play Readings Celebrating Diverse Voices)

+++ 90-MINUTE SESSION +++
LOCATION: THEATRE
PRESENTER: ALAYA LEWIS and Student Performers
FACULTY ADVISOR: WENDY-MARIE MARTIN
(90-minute session) The Hollins Cultural Showcase presents a dynamic exploration of contemporary theater through staged readings from diverse and underrepresented voices in theater. This carefully curated collection of short plays and one-acts celebrates the intersection of cultural heritage, lived experience, and artistic innovation.