Re-Designing Organizations to Increase Equity and Student Success in Postsecondary Education
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) welcomed Dr. Kristin A. Renn, Professor and Associate Dean at Michigan State University, as the keynote speaker for the annual Cynthia S. Johnson Student Development Institute. The Institute was made possible by the Cynthia Johnson Endowment, which promotes progressive social change in higher education by nurturing a community of scholar practitioners. The Educational Leadership Department and Division of Student Affairs were also co-sponsors of the event. In their keynote address, Dr. Renn presented an ecological systems approach to redesigning organizations to identify and address barriers to success for first-generation, low-income, and racially minoritized students.
A panel discussion with Q&A followed the keynote presentation, and was facilitated by Dr. Anna Ortiz, Professor within the Educational Leadership Department at CSULB. Panelists included keynote speaker Dr. Kristen A. Renn, Dr. Sabrina Sanders (Director of the Toro Reengagement Program at CSU Dominguez Hills), Dr. Lui Amador (Dean of Student Equity & Success at Cerritos College), and Dr. Paul Henderson (Executive Director of University Academic Advisement & California Promise at CSU Long Beach). The Institute also highlighted the dedication and commitment of Dr. John Hamilton, who received the Cynthia S. Johnson Mentor Award, presented by Dr. Angela Locks.
Finally, the Institute allowed time for current graduate students from the Student Development in Higher Education program to meet with Dr. Renn. Students were able to engage in a discussion with Dr. Renn in a much more intimate and focused setting.
