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.
Meet The PhD Project Dr. Tessa Garcia-Collart, Rising from a Hopeful, Honduran Student to a Professor at University of Missouri-St Louis.
GlobalMindED is proud to have The PhD Project and all of their extraordinary faculty as part of our Inclusive Success Network. Please watch the 2022 conference recap to see this collaboration and action.

Continuing with our celebration of inspiring Latino/a leaders, we are honored to introduce Dr. Tessa Garcia-Collart today. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Missouri-St Louis. Having been raised in Honduras, she has climbed a high ladder to reach her dream of being in the university system in the United States. We hope her story of hope, positivity, and reflection inspire you all to keep dreaming big and never be dismayed by a "no".

What is your personal narrative? What key moments in your life led you to where you are?
I was born and raised in Honduras by two loving and wonderful parents who credited education as the means by which they were able to emerge from poverty and become professionals in the medical field. I grew up watching them evolve and excel in their careers, my father, a gastroenterologist and my mother, a university professor in the school of nursing. I always listened intently to their own stories, and watched as they worked hard and educated themselves to achieve excellence both in the medical field and as parents of four children. Their journeys impacted me in so many ways, but I particularly became captivated with education and always thought of it as the baton that my parents would pass on to me so that I could run the next part of the relay race. I realized that if they had been able to achieve so much in their own lifetimes, how much further could I go if I empowered myself through education?

I believe life is like a race and one gathers inspiration along the way to take one more stride, and then another one. I realize I still have a long way to go, but I have had my fair share of defining moments thus far. However, my focus on education is the common thread among those key moments that led me here. It fueled my strong-will and determination to prepare and seize every opportunity, even when the odds were not in my favor.
 
How has your identity as a part of the Hispanic and Latin culture impacted your life? How do you stay connected to this in the work that you do? 
Being from Honduras has always been such a source of pride for me. I am always proud to share my Honduran roots with those around. I love living life through two languages. I enjoy the richness of my Hispanic heritage and my Latin culture. I carry my country and culture with me everywhere, to the classroom, faculty meetings, and they are present even in my own research. They provide me with a strong sense of service to my community and are certainly a motivating force in all that I do.

How did your own educational experience shape your career path and journey? 
I remember as a young child sitting in the library of my elementary school in Honduras, reading through the promotional magazines of US universities and thinking about the improbability of being able to educate myself in one of those institutions. The remoteness in distance and in economic possibilities easily overshadowed this quiet dream represented in the photographs of the buildings and historical corridors; university houses full of knowledge, history and opportunity. Today, many years later, I find myself full of emotions that are difficult to express in words. I am no longer the student of that library in Honduras, now I am the professor at one of those universities that one day seemed so far away.
 
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business from Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana in Honduras, I completed an MBA in Global Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in the United States. During this time, I was working as a Product Manager for Stanley Black & Decker in the Latin American division. Handling an American brand in Latin America provided me with ample opportunities to discover better ways to market and promote this brand to global audiences. I had to figure out ways that I could use sound marketing strategies that worked in Latin America (and in Spanish) for such a well-established American brand icon. Along with this opportunity, many questions emerged: what are better ways to market to Hispanic and Latin consumers in the United States, and in Latin America? Is there a difference? What role does the Spanish language have in marketing to Hispanics and Latinos? Many other similar questions followed. It was this intellectual curiosity combined with my own fascination with education, fueled throughout my early years, that prompted me to consider pursuing a PhD and conducting empirical research in this area. As if this wasn’t enough, the director of my MBA program at Thunderbird introduced me to The PhD Project, and it was during The PhD Project annual conference in 2015 that knew this was the path for me going forward. Academia has become my home and has provided me with many opportunities to engage in a life-long education journey that I thoroughly enjoy through research and teaching.
 
In what ways do you continue to promote equity and inclusion of the Hispanic and Latin community? How can others join you in being more inclusive? 
Personally, I am very intentional about educating others about the Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as the Spanish language so that we can create truly equitable and inclusive environments for all. I acknowledge that my position as a university professor and researcher is quite a unique podium that helps me speak up for others in my community, which at the same time opens up space for those coming behind me.
 
I also believe that the path to becoming more inclusive as a society involves two things: First, asking questions and being open to learn about the nuances of other cultures. Second, being open to the reality that we will make mistakes in the process, and to correct these with a humble and positive spirit. I also think that as educators, we need to teach our students, especially those from minority populations that getting rejected and receiving a “no” as an answer is an opportunity to grow and improve. It should motivate us, not deter us. In the classroom, these premises inspire me to effectively teach my students so that they may also be empowered and equipped with all the necessary tools to pursue their own life goals.
 
In research, I find there is a pressing need to understand the interaction of race, culture, and ethnicity with current marketing practices. As always, there is space to be and do better, while highlighting new and more inclusive marketing strategies to improve societal and individual wellbeing. There is so much value in being able to utilize research as a tool to become more educated as a society, and in a way that is equitable and fair.
 
What advice would you give to future Inclusive Inspirational Leaders?
I would suggest three things: find your purpose, be authentic, and define what drives you. First, we must be clear in our purpose because when things get tough and difficult, our purpose still stands and helps guide us through the hard times. So while we may lose sight of less important factors along the way, having a purpose is a guiding north star throughout our lives. Second, we must become authentic leaders who genuinely care about our mission and others. And third, we must answer what is that which drives us to wake up in the morning and lead others to achieve their full potential.
Join us in Atlanta on November 4 at Georgia Institute of Technology

Join college presidents, college leaders, faculty, advisors, business leaders and college students at the GlobalMindED Resolve to Solve Series, sponsored by Georgia Tech. You can join us live for $295 (breakfast and lunch included) and $195 for students. Anyone who cannot join live are eligible to livestream the event for free anywhere in the U.S. thanks to our partner and PBS affiliate, WABE. Sign up through the QR code and join us level the Higher ED hierarchy as we co-create solutions with students at the table.
In case you missed them, here are links to this week's Equity Events in STEM, K-12, and Higher Education:
  • Watch "Barrier Breaking to Engineering and STEM for Diverse Students"
  • Watch "Safe from the Gate: Empowering Kids to Make Better Decisions Online"
  • Watch "What is Hispanic Heritage Month? And What Does it Mean for Equity, Justice, Opportunity, and Culture?"
Details and Links below
Barrier Breaking to Engineering and STEM for Diverse Students
Dr. Steve Efe Asst. Professor, Civil Engineering Morgan State University leads the discussion with guests:
Dr. Janne Hall Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Engineering Texas Southern University
Janelle Mason Graduate Student, Computer Science North Carolina A&T State University
Tiresius Johnson Student Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Kimera Peterson Civil Engineering student Morgan State University
Safe from the Gate Empowering Kids to Make Better Decisions Online
Erika Twani CEO & Co-Founder Learning One to One leads the discussion with guests:
Paul Castro Superintendent, A+UP Charter School
Dr. Liz Sweigart Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Safe Kids AI
Amr Yehia Operations Director, The Digital School
Kristie Adams Chief Learning Officer, Family Scholar House
What is Hispanic Heritage Month? And What Does it Mean for Equity, Justice, Opportunity, and Culture?
Dr. Ryan Ross; Student Affairs Equity and Inclusion for CCCS, CEO Urban Leadership Foundation of CO leads the discussion with:
Mariana Del Hierro; Executive Director Re:Vision
Crestina Martinez; Long Term Recovery & Major Initiatives Director Adams County Government
Rachel Garcia; CEO Colectiva 
Dr. Roberto Montoya; Chief Educational Equity Officer Colorado Department of Higher Education
SAVE the DATE 2023: June 7 Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner
First Gen Leadership Program
June 8, 9 GlobalMindED Conference
2023 Denver, Colorado

CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN
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:
GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
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