SHSS Hosts 22nd Residential Institute

The Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (DCAR) and the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMS), in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), hosted the 22nd Residential Institute (RI) from Feb. 19 through Feb. 23 on main campus. During RI, students engaged in distance learning come to campus to attend classes live, meet with faculty, staff, and their colleagues, attend advising sessions, participate in workshops and presentations, and social activities.

The Keynote Speaker was Paula Bruner, Esq., who spoke about "Resolving Workplace Discrimination Issues Legally," at the Keynote Dinner on Saturday evening, Feb. 20 in the Maltz Building. Bruner, is a senior appellate attorney in the EEOC's Office of the General Counsel and has represented the EEOC in 10 of the 13 federal circuit courts as lead or amicus counsel. She has addressed issues under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University. As special assistant/attorney-advisor to former EEOC Chair Naomi Earp, Esq., Bruner was the architect of the EEOC's new national initiative E-RACE (Eradicating Racism and Colorism from Employment).

Other events at RI included meetings of the Environmental Conflict Group and Latin American and Caribbean Group facilitated by Elena Bastidas, Ph.D.; a discussion by the Culture and Conflict Group facilitated by Mark Davidheiser, Ph.D., a discussion on Haiti at the Social Justice Roundtable facilitated by Judith McKay, J.D. Ph.D.; discussion by the African Peace and Conflict Network facilitated by Mark Davidheiser, Ph.D.; a discussion by The Middle Eastern and Islam Group facilitated by Dustin Berna, Ph.D.; discussion and get-together at the African Working Group facilitated by Hamdesa Tuso, Ph.D.; and discussion at the International Relations/Diplomacy/Activism Working Group facilitated by Dustin Berna, Ph.D.

In addition, MACS presented The Writer’s Corner and the Writer's Corner Consultation, as well as a workshop on "Blogging to Enhance your Practice," featuring Richard Toumey, M.F.A. Also, the students in the College of Student Affairs (CSA) program were invited to a reception at the home of Dean Brad Williams.