5th Annual Conference on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Education: Why DEI? It Matters!

Presented by Gwynedd Mercy University's College of Arts, Sciences & Professional Studies

Join us virtually for GMercyU's 5th annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Education Conference. The event is free and offers Act 48 credits. It is open to PreK-12 and higher education educators, administrators, and staff, as well as interested students, parents, and community members.

Register here

Program Theme: Why DEI? It Matters!

Our 2025 conference focuses on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education during these challenging political times, focusing on the theme, “Why DEI? It Matters!” Our students’ diversity can encompass multiple characteristics, such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, and citizenship status, among others. Our conference focuses on institutional, instructional, co-curricular, and community strategies for advancing Social Justice targeted toward educators and administrators in PK-12 and higher education, as well as staff members who support students in these settings.  View program brochure here

Program Overview

After opening remarks, our first evening begins with a keynote address, Equity Under Fire: Why DEI is More Essential Than Ever, presented by Dr. Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, followed by a selection of three concurrent presentations. Our second evening starts with three concurrent presentations and ends with a panel presentation, Liberation Lies in the Details: Navigating Anti-DEI Legislation in Innovative and Legal Ways, presented by Dr. Eric Kyle and Dr. Alyssa L. Provencio. In addition, we offer asynchronous poster presentations, which may be accessed during the conference and for up to a month afterward.

Schedule 

Keynote Address
Equity Under Fire: Why DEI is More Essential Than Ever

For over a decade, states across the nation have worked to build equitable systems that increase educator diversity and cultivate culturally relevant and sustaining educators, all to improve outcomes for young learners. In Pennsylvania, for example, PEDC’s transformative efforts have led to significant progress. However, a growing wave of anti-DEI policies and administrations now threaten to dismantle this critical work. They will not succeed. The progress made over the last decade has been in support of equity for all learners. It is crucial to help invested partners understand that when schools affirm and uplift Black and brown students, it benefits everyone. A truly equitable education system strengthens communities, fosters inclusive learning environments, and ensures that EVERY student has the opportunity to thrive. At PEDC, we remain steadfast in our mission, using a framework of targeted universalism and collective impact to build and strengthen systems, even as these policies threaten students and educators alike. Now more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to equity, ensuring that our progress is not undone but instead continues to drive meaningful and lasting change across Pennsylvania and the nation.

Outcomes:

• Understand the Impact of DEI Initiatives: Gain insights into the progress Pennsylvania has made in increasing educator diversity and fostering culturally relevant and sustaining education.
• Examine Current Challenges to DEI: Explore how policy shifts and anti-DEI efforts threaten equitable education and what they mean for students, educators, and communities.
• Learn Strategies for Resilience and Advocacy: Discover how targeted universalism and collective impact can be leveraged to sustain and strengthen equity-focused initiatives.
• Engage in Action-Oriented Dialogue: Discuss ways to mobilize educators, policymakers, and communities to protect and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Commit to Sustained Change: Identify concrete steps individuals and organizations can take to ensure continued progress in educational equity, despite resistance.

Presenter: Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, Ph.D., Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium (PEDC) and Assistant Professor, Professional and Secondary Education, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

About Dr. Cole-Malott
Dr. Donna-Marie Cole-Malott is dedicated to transformative education, serving as the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium (PEDC) and as an Assistant Professor of Professional & Secondary Education and Instructional Design Technology at East Stroudsburg University. Her career has seen pivotal roles, including Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Higher Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Inaugural Director of the Institute of Educational Governance and Leadership (IEGL). Dr. Cole-Malott's research focuses on the lived experiences of Black girls, advocating for educator workforce diversity, nurturing culturally relevant educators, and addressing issues of race, equity, and educator diversity with unwavering dedication. A staunch advocate, she leads efforts to dismantle systemic racism and promote equitable outcomes for all students, shaping the very fabric of public education with visionary leadership and impassioned advocacy.