SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2025
WELCOME
The University of Mount Union welcomes you to the Alliance for Community and Equity (ACE) Summit. This Summit focuses on building an inclusive community by overcoming inequities. The Summit provides an opportunity to discuss strategies, frameworks, and programs that can be implemented into action to enhance the climate and culture of institutions and organizations.
The ACE Summit is open to any institution or organization that is striving to be an inclusive community – one that is culturally aware, confronts bias, and critically reflects on practices, procedures, and policies toward identifying and changing existing inequities. The ACE Summit provides institutions and organizations with sessions that are grounded in equity and inclusion and provide learning strategies and tools that address the compelling issues we face as a democracy and as a global community. Participants in the ACE Summit will leave with strategies for developing an environment that recognizes, navigates, and bridges gaps of inequities and creates opportunities to enhance diversity toward a more inclusive institution or organization where all constituents can belong.
The goal of the Alliance for Community and Equity Summit is to create space for conversations among educators, students, administrators, policymakers, and community members. We invite open dialogues that are civil and respectful and that promote the free exchange of ideas and practices that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. ACE informs us of our shared responsibility and commitment to develop systems, structures, and policies that are focused on building inclusive communities.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
8-8:45 a.m.
8:45-9:30 a.m.
9:40-10:40 a.m. Breakout Session 1
10:50-11:50 a.m. Breakout Session 2
Noon-1:15 p.m.
12:30-1:15 p.m.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
2:40-3:40 p.m.
3:45 p.m.
Breakout Session 3
Breakout Session 4
Giese Center for the Performing Arts (Various locations, see details on pp. 4-5)
Giese Center for the Performing Arts (Various locations, see details on pp. 5-6)
Giese Center for the Performing Arts (Various locations, see details on pp. 6-7)
Giese Center for the Performing Arts (Various locations, see details on pp. 7-8)
KEYNOTE
ERICA BOOKER
FOUNDER
DISRUPTER UNIVERSITY
8:45-9:30 a.m.
Brush Performance Hall
Giese Center for the Performing Arts
WE ALL WANT TO THRIVE: CULTIVATING COMMUNITIES OF SAFETY AND BELONGING
Dr. Erica Booker, a proud graduate of Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, began her journey of servant leadership at the University of Akron. As a former Division I collegiate and professional basketball player, Dr. Booker brings a deep understanding of teamwork, communication, and commitment. These experiences laid the foundation for her successful career as an educator, educational leader, and human resources professional.
As an HR manager, Dr. Booker leverages her research to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives focused on recruiting and retaining Black and Brown educators and behavioral health professionals, as well as advancing culturally responsive education and practices to cultivate thriving cultures where lived experiences are explored and honored. She holds several certifications, including SHRM-CP, Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, and the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory, and she is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. More recently, Dr. Booker earned a professional certificate from Enneagram, allowing her to coach the personal and professional development of staff and leaders. In a former role as a DEI learning specialist, she supported the development of culturally responsive practices across departments, fostering inclusive environments.
Dr. Booker has also designed a culturally responsive social emotional curriculum that places students at the heart of the learning experience, empowering them to engage as active participants in their education. She currently leads Equitable Training Solutions, her consulting company, which coaches leadership teams and educators in sustaining learning communities where staff, students, and families are empowered to develop brave learning spaces.
Her engaging keynote address focuses on creating inclusive communities where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered. Participants will embark on a transformative journey of culturally responsive practices, leveraging storytelling and active listening to deepen connections with themselves, their teams, and their communities. The session emphasizes culturally responsive practices and equity, providing actionable strategies for fostering environments that prioritize belonging. Attendees will leave with insights into building stronger, more supportive communities and the tools needed to drive meaningful change in today’s diverse world.
Dr. Booker will then build off of this keynote during her breakout session later in the day.
PANEL DISCUSSION
MIKE GALLINA ’82
VICE PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
AULTCARE
12:30-1:15 p.m.
Kresge Commons
Hoover-Price Campus Center
SCALING THE INCLUSIVITY SUMMIT – ENGAGING YOUR SHERPA SPIRIT!
Prior to joining AultCare, Mr. Mike Gallina’s career spanned 30 years in the field of education – 24 as a school administrator with the final 19 years in the role of superintendent in the Minerva Local and North Canton City Schools, respectively. He is a 1978 graduate of Minerva High School, where he excelled in the classroom and in athletics. He was the valedictorian of his senior class and was the captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams during his senior year. He was an all-league selection in football and baseball.
Mr. Gallina then attended Mount Union, majoring in elementary education with a concentration in learning disabilities. He was a four-year baseball letter-winner at Mount Union and a tri-captain of the team during his senior year. He was also named the Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education in 1982.
In 2009, Mr. Gallina was chosen by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation as Ohio’s Superintendent of the Year. Additionally, he has been elected into both academic and athletic halls of fame at Minerva High School and into the North Canton Hoover High School Hall of Distinction. At Mount Union, he was honored by the M Club Athletic Hall of Fame with their Award of Excellence, and he has been inducted into both the Stark County and Tuscarawas County Amateur Baseball Halls of Fame.
Mr. Gallina is a motivational and keynote speaker, having provided talks, presentations, and retreats all across Ohio and several other states. He serves on numerous boards and civic organizations in and around northeast Ohio, with the Canton and North Canton areas as his primary service area. He and his wife, Lynnette, continue to reside in North Canton.
This session will engage panelists in a discussion that will tap into how educators, students, community leaders, and everyday people support each person in an inclusive environment ensuring that everyone has the space to show up with their unique experiences, perspectives, and curiosities. Scaling the Inclusivity Summit is not a one-time event; it’s a lifelong pursuit. It asks you to be a guide, a listener, a co-creator, and a learner. The Sherpa Spirit is one of continuous engagement, where every step you take toward greater inclusivity becomes a testament to your commitment to lifting others up. It’s about walking with others through the rugged paths, offering support when needed, celebrating achievements together, and always looking for ways to open new routes for the next group of climbers.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
9:40-10:40 A.M.
WHAT ARE WE TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION ABOUT MASCULINITY?
Room 107, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Glen Harris
Director of Prevention, Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Jeff Puster
Engaging Men and Boys Specialist, Ohio Domestic Violence Network
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Masculinity in our society overemphasizes ideals such as physical strength, aggression, sexual conquest, and the dominance of men. There are abundant examples and research of how hypermasculinity has devastating effects on women and children. However, much less attention and discussion has focused on how hypermasculinity affects other men. We will highlight some of the characteristics of how forms of masculinity are connected to violence (power/control) and how that connection can lead to violence against others and populations/communities viewed as “less than.”
THE SIXTH LEVEL: USING THE POWER OF WOMEN’S PSYCHOLOGY TO LEAD CHANGE
Room 114, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Elaine Russell Reolfi CEO, CommQuest Services
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Many organizations have good intentions to drive positive change and build an inclusive workplace and community but overcoming obstacles and aligning people can be difficult. The Sixth Level of Leadership is a model derived from the narratives of 16 women (including the presenter) who practice Self-in-Relation
theory, which defines the psychology of women as oriented to connection and care. This model supersedes Maslow’s fifth level, self-actualization, which is based on men’s psychology and is consequently incomplete. Its four differentiators – mutuality, ingenuity, justness, and intrinsic motivation – redesign leadership and promote collective interest to create healthy social dynamics that, in turn, optimize results.
7 SECRETS FOR BEATING EDUCATOR BURNOUT
Room 109, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Kenny “Coach Jo Jo” Smith Educational Coach, I-AM Possible Enterprise
SESSION DESCRIPTION
The 7 Secrets for Beating Educator Burnout Professional Development Workshop is a highly interactive and engaging session designed to empower educators with effective tools and strategies to combat burnout and foster professional wellness. Through group activities, reflection exercises, and practical action planning, this workshop aims to help participants cultivate a positive mindset, build resilience, and establish sustainable wellness habits.
SUPPLEMENTAL ADVISING: A FOUNDATION FOR COLLEGES TO RETAIN DIVERSE STUDENTS
Room 180, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Darnell Tucker ’15 Student Diversity and Equity Outreach Coordinator, Stark State College
SESSION DESCRIPTION
As we’ve reached a crucial time within education, we saw that the number of Ohio public high school graduates enrolling in Ohio public colleges and universities decreased by about 14%. As diversity practitioners, a key role that we can play in this equation is not looking at the recruitment numbers but looking at how our work in inclusion can impact the retention numbers. Join me as I go over my current work of establishing a supplemental advising program at Stark State College for our various populations on campus such as those who are academically underprepared and other underserved populations.
ALLYSHIP: MOVING BEYOND PASSIVE INCLUSION
Gallaher Theatre, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Shilpa Kenjale
Director of Programs, SHIFT Consulting
SESSION DESCRIPTION
“Good allyship is a willingness to not center yourself and your own experiences, but to instead listen to, trust, act on, and amplify the feelings and experiences of the people around you.” (Sherryl Knepp 2021). This workshop serves to build on the conversations that members of the Ohio Athletic Conference had in the fall where they examined some privileged and oppressed identities that lead to power differentials and inequity. Participants in this workshop will learn the concept of allyship and the various types of allyship that one can learn and use to stand up for teammates in tough situations, even when it’s uncomfortable.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
10:50-11:50 A.M.
UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK: WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME NOW?
Room 107, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Tadarrelle Lett
Coordinator/Academic Diversity Outreach, Kent State University
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This interactive workshop is designed to equip participants with the tools necessary to thrive in an increasingly diverse society by adopting culturally sustaining pedagogies and an asset-based approach to identity development. The purpose of this workshop is to provide culturally appropriate affirmations as well as an understanding of the importance of centering marginalized voices in all spaces.
THE
WINNERS CIRCLE: A NEW RACE. . . TOOLS AND EXERCISES TO IDENTIFY BIASES AND STEREOTYPES THAT INHIBIT INCLUSIVITY
Room 114, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Marcus Bentley CEO, L.A.V.A. Athletics
Delone Carter Coach, Grit Fit
SESSION DESCRIPTION
The session will give the participants tools and exercises on ways to utilize traumatic experiences as learning opportunities that may be transformed into fuel for success in sports, academics, professional workplaces, and everyday life.
CULTURALLY SUSTAINING PRACTICES FOR TEACHING ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS
Gallaher Theatre, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Mary Beth Henning
Professor of Education, University of Mount Union
John Bennett
Partnership Coordinator, The Lippman School of Akron
Maggie Davis ’25
Student, University of Mount Union
Miya Gotto ’25
Student, University of Mount Union
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Looking for more authentic, engaging, and contemporary ways to teach about Native American culture? Come see lesson plans, primary sources, augmented reality, music, and artifacts that can make learning about Indigenous people come alive. Cooperative learning stations and conceptual teaching will be demonstrated. Join this interactive session with UMU preservice teachers who developed and taught ethnobotany and music lessons to 4th graders in Alliance City Schools. All resources will be made available to participants through ahtove.org.
YOU ARE WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE
Room 109, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Ace Epps
Vice President/Community Manager, JP Morgan Chase
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session is about understanding who you are and how learning to understand others will lead to a more impactful life and career.
MACARONI AT MIDNIGHT
Room 180, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Don Bartlette
Public Speaker, Bartlette & Associates
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session focuses on the presenter’s journey as a Native American child with a speech disability and struggles in facing racism in a small white community in North Dakota. It tells of struggles to be included in that community and how diversity was not respected. The presenter will share how a white woman intervened to help integrate the presenter into that community and to succeed academically, then to graduate from three universities in spite of problems with inclusivity.
BREAKOUT
SESSION 3
1:30-2:30 P.M.
DEI IN HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
Room 107, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Josey Johnson
Student, Otterbein University
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Healthcare coverage has systemic indifferences among different groups, sometimes marginalized, that plague healthcare coverage for patients, limiting their treatment and provider access.
THE SIXTH LEVEL: USING THE POWER OF WOMEN’S PSYCHOLOGY TO LEAD CHANGE
Room 114, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Elaine Russell Reolfi CEO, CommQuest Services
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Many organizations have good intentions to drive positive change and build an inclusive workplace and community but overcoming obstacles and aligning people can be difficult. The Sixth Level of Leadership is a model derived from the narratives of 16 women (including the presenter) who practice Self-in-Relation theory, which defines the psychology of women as oriented to connection and care. This model supersedes Maslow’s fifth level, self-actualization, which is based on men’s psychology and is consequently incomplete. Its four differentiators – mutuality, ingenuity, justness, and intrinsic motivation – redesign leadership and promote collective interest to create healthy social dynamics that, in turn, optimize results.
ECOURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS TO HONOR DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCES
Room 109, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Nyree Wilkerson Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Hudson City Schools
Cindy Neroni Intervention Specialist, Hudson City Schools
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This interactive session will demonstrate an adaptation of the Courageous Conversation practice Hudson City Schools uses to meet our mission of maximizing the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of each child in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment. Teaching staff have received
professional development in several areas related to the successful implementation of courageous conversations, including building community agreements, the why and how of proactive circles built around specific themes, and specific strategies for successful classroom implementation. Through experiential learning, participants will leave the session with practical strategies for building inclusivity by honoring diversity of thought and experience.
EXCLUSIVELY INCLUSIVE OR INCLUSIVELY EXCLUSIVE? THE
OXYMORONIC NATURE OF AMERICAN SCHOOLS
Room 180, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Peter Schneller
Emeritus Professor, University of Mount Union
Darese Sparkman ’25
Student, University of Mount Union
Andrew Datz ’25
Student, University of Mount Union
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This presentation will offer an interactive discussion of American schools for pre-K to 12th grade, as well as undergraduate and graduate school. Areas for consideration include academics, curriculum, students with exceptionalities, athletics, classroom activities, disciplinary concerns, school-to-prison pipeline, social activities, school culture, admissions, zero tolerance, expulsions, Greek life, extracurriculars, gifted/talented programs, microaggressions, DEI, etc. The focus of the conversation will be “Can our schools be truly inclusive?” Come equipped to discuss difficult issues and questions such as, “Is grouping students by age inclusive?”“How could school sports include all who want to participate?”“How could grades be considered inclusive rather than divisive?”
WE ALL WANT TO THRIVE: CULTIVATING COMMUNITIES OF SAFETY AND BELONGING
Gallaher Theatre, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Erica Booker
Founder, Disrupter University
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session, a continuation of the morning’s keynote address, focuses on creating inclusive communities where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered. Participants will embark on a transformative journey of culturally responsive practices, leveraging storytelling and active listening to deepen connections with themselves, their teams, and their communities. The session emphasizes culturally responsive practices and equity, providing actionable strategies for fostering environments that prioritize belonging. Attendees will leave with insights into building stronger, more supportive communities and the tools needed to drive meaningful change in today’s diverse world.
BREAKOUT SESSION 4
2:40-3:40 P.M.
CATALYSTS FOR CHANGE: ADVOCATING FOR INCLUSIVE PLAY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Room 107, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Sanampreet Gill
Research Assistant/Educator, Kent State University
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session emphasizes how teachers’ roles extend far beyond the classroom and into the community, positioning them as vital advocates for civic and social change. Drawing from the philosophies of educational theorists, including George Counts and John Dewey, the presentation highlights the teacher’s responsibility in fostering democratic engagement and promoting holistic development of students. The focus is on the development of Summit County’s first fully inclusive playground, a project led by a collaborative committee of parents, teachers, and medical professionals. This session explores how partnerships – school districts, city council, and legislators – supported the mission of outdoor play for all!
7 SECRETS FOR BEATING EDUCATOR BURNOUT
Room 114, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
Kenny “Coach Jo Jo” Smith Educational Coach, I-AM Possible Enterprise
SESSION DESCRIPTION
The 7 Secrets for Beating Educator Burnout Professional Development Workshop is a highly interactive and engaging session designed to empower educators with effective tools and strategies to combat burnout and foster professional wellness. Through group activities, reflection exercises, and practical action planning, this workshop aims to help participants cultivate a positive mindset, build resilience, and establish sustainable wellness habits.
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS TO HONOR DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCES
Room 109, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Nyree Wilkerson Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Hudson City Schools
Cindy Neroni Intervention Specialist, Hudson City Schools
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This interactive session will demonstrate an adaptation of the Courageous Conversation practice Hudson City Schools uses to meet our mission of maximizing the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of each child in a safe, nurturing, and diverse environment. Teaching staff have received professional development in several areas related to the successful implementation of courageous conversations, including building community agreements, the why and how of proactive circles built around specific themes, and specific strategies for successful classroom implementation. Through experiential learning, participants will leave the session with practical strategies for building inclusivity by honoring diversity of thought and experience.
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: CREATING AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH STUDENT PROGRAMMING
Room 180, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKER
William Warren ’11
Program Coordinator of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Shaker Heights Schools
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session will provide information on how educators can build a framework to create student programming dedicated to fostering an equitable and inclusive school environment where everyone feels valued and represented. Using existing student programming in the Shaker Heights City School district as a model, these long-standing clubs and programs have contributed greatly to student academic achievement, more equitable access, and providing inclusive spaces for students to find affinity and their sense of belonging.
WE BELONG TOGETHER
Gallaher Theatre, Giese Center for the Performing Arts
SPEAKERS
Andrea Ramsey
Director of the Office of Multicultural Services, Malone University
Laila Robinson
Student Co-Director of the Office of Multicultural Services, Malone University
Bryson Davis ’08
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal and Restorative Justice, Malone University
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session will focus on student empowerment in developing collaborative equity-focused experiential learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff on the topics of equity, belonging, and inclusion. We will explore how students, faculty, and staff can collaborate to create spaces for genuine dialogue and intentional interaction to enhance understanding and growth among all stakeholders.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please take a moment today to offer your feedback regarding our summit and its sessions by completing our summit evaluation form for each session. You can locate the form by scanning the QR code provided below with your mobile device.
ACE SUMMIT COMMITTEE
Andrew Boothe
Ellen Campbell
Tara Canestraro
Dr. Mandy Capel
Shawnta Forester
Melissa Gardner
Dr. Nicole Johnson
Carla Sarratt
Abby Schroeder
Caitie Scott
SPECIAL
THANKS
Logan Aguiniga
Gerald Brugh
Kristen Croteau (AVI)
Scott Ginder
Beth Gotter (AVI)
Mark Kolenz
Cindy Miner
Dave Smith
Tina Stuchell
Emily Vega (AVI)
Nancy Hill ’79 and Mark Schaefer ’79
The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)
Patrick Heddleston ’86
