The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable

GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
Associate Director of DEI Native American Initiatives at DU & Leader New Beginnings Pow Wow - Dr. Stevie Lee


Dr. Stevie Lee, Diné tribal member, is currently the Associate Director, DEI Native American Initiatives (NAI) at the University of Denver. She is working to elevate the undergraduate and graduate Native student voices at DU and center their narratives. Her work in higher education, student affairs, and teaching has opened the door for more inclusive practices and conversations at DU.

What key moments defined you as a leader?

One key moment that defined me was during my doctoral program. I realized that continuing to further my education meant I was going to be able to work with many different Native and Indigenous communities and families. Having recently graduated with my Ph.D. has helped me to define what it means to lead. I lead by working with Native and Indigenous students, their families, faculty, and staff. I do my best to listen to their concerns and collectively discuss relevant issues.

What kind of community-driven projects have you spearheaded/participated in that you are personally proud of? What did you take away from these experiences?
 
One of the annual community events I help create and implement is our annual Pow Wow at the University of Denver. It typically takes place around Mother’s Day in May. We call this the New Beginnings Pow Wow, and this year will be the 12th annual. The Pow Wow at DU has always been about education by allowing the student body to participate and learn about Native American traditions and people. Most importantly, this Pow Wow was founded to celebrate and start all our “New Beginnings”: starting college, a new job, graduating from high school, middle school, college, etc. Even new friendships or a new stage of fatherhood, motherhood, engagement, marriage, whatever your New Beginning story is. This Pow Wow has emphasized the importance of those New Beginnings; wherever we are in our lives, we are here to be grateful and to celebrate the coming of life. I always look forward to being in a space with our relatives and serving our Native & Indigenous families, so they may dance, sing and heal together.

How do you connect with your ancestral roots in your professional and personal life?
 
I connect by keeping in touch with my relatives as much as possible, through phone conversations, emails, and letters. With my work, it is difficult to find the space and time to visit. The global pandemic also limited travel. I also pray and hold space for those living and for those who are in the spirit world. I am thankful for the Diné traditional teachings growing up and when I find opportunities, I share those teachings with students and other relatives.

As an Indigenous leader, what motivates you to move forward in times of adversity? Where do you find your passion?
 
I have hope and faith in humanity; even during the height of the pandemic, I witnessed people around me give grace to others to themselves. I watched as communities stood together and worked to see each other’s humanity. I find my passion in working with those around me to create equitable spaces and visibility for our underrepresented communities and families.

One of my dear friends shared some great advice, “Many young people are preparing for a world full of jobs, opportunities, challenges, and pathways that may not even exist yet. The best way to prepare for them is to learn to trust yourself and use that to develop your abilities to help others. Trusting yourself to build community will get you further than any title or degree will.” Although I honor and appreciate my educational experiences, I believe there is truth to this quote. We must be willing to grow and learn to trust ourselves and our abilities to work with others. These life skills will take us far. I hope to share what I have learned from my lived experiences and how I navigated education. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and advice with all of you. Please continue doing the work of centering Native and Indigenous voices.
University of Denver 2022 Pow Wow

SAVE the DATE: Join us in Denver June 7-9

June 7 Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner,
First Gen Leadership Program

June 8, 9 GlobalMindED Conference
2023 Denver, Colorado

Watch the brief video below that The PhD Project produced highlighting the experience at GlobalMindED from several key demographics; students, faculty, and business leaders
Making Impact: Leveraging Collaborations and Partnerships to Advance STEM Equity

Moderated by Dr. Susan Swayze, Founder & CEO Diversity Think Tank. Dr. Swayze is a DEI strategist and expert researcher who created Diversity Think Tank to help organizations identify transformative solutions and accomplish audacious goals. Susan is a highly sought-after speaker on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion with special emphasis on holding conversations about bias, race, and gender pay equity. She has inspired audiences in Africa, Brazil, Canada, and across the U.S. An accomplished scholar, Dr. Swayze has authored three books and more than 50 scholarly works. Speakers include:

Melvin Stallings, President, Cyber Green Group
CGG is a workforce training non-profit for teachers and students in STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math) that trains, educates, and creates innovators of the future. Mr. Stallings is also a Curriculum Development Specialist and has written many math and science curriculums for high schools throughout the US. He has presented professional development workshops at local and national conferences and managed various STEAM initiatives for over 1,500 students in subject areas like Cyber Forensic, Biomedical Engineering, Coding, and the Art of Green Science across the US.

Dr. Janelle M. Johnson, Associate Professor of STEM Education, Metropolitan State University
Dr. Johnson is co-editor of “STEM21: Equity in Teaching and Learning to Meet Global Challenges of Standards, Engagement, and Transformation” (2018). Her research focuses on interdisciplinary STEM equity and inclusive approaches to teaching and learning. Janelle taught K-12 math and science with English Learners primarily in Guatemala, and now teaches multicultural education and science methods at the university. Dr. Johnson is on the board of the Colorado Assoc. of Science Teachers, the Director of the Colorado STEM Ecosystem 2.0, and she served on the Council of State Science Supervisors ACESSE Network in the disrupting ableism affinity group.

Lisette Torres-Gerald, Senior Research Associate and Program Coordinator, TERC
Dr. Torres-Gerald is a scientist and disabled scholar-activist at TERC, a non-profit made up of teams of math and science education and research experts. Her academic research focuses on addressing racial and gender inequity in science and higher education. Lisette is an active member of Science
for the People and a co-founder and executive board member of the National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities. Dr. Torres-Gerald is also an advisory board member of Science Friday’s Breakthrough Dialogues Program and the Invisible Disability Project (IDP)

Rubi Amateco, Biology Student, Metropolitan State University
Highlights from the Resolve to Solve in Atlanta below. You can watch a YouTube video of the entire day,thanks to WABE/PBS Atlanta.
Rose Scott with Dr. Glenda Glover, Dr. David Thomas, and Dr. M. Brian Blake
Michael Render, AKA "Killer Mike"
June 2022 Conference Summary in Photos and Videos
We had an inspiring conference in June after two years of virtual gatherings due to COVID. If you missed that, you can still be a part of the experience through the photos from the 2022 GlobalMindED conference, as well as seeing the complete program for connections and inspiration.



Video remarks:
Honoring the 2022 Inclusive Leader Award Winners. Please see their stories:
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