The Faculty Speaker Series presentations are delivered by our own faculty at both Aspen University and United States University. Each series covers four presentations that relate to a broader topic in the faculty member's area of expertise or interest.

The theme for this year's Speaker Series is

"Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion"

Abstract

There is a great need for the higher education climate to address the issues of cultural competence, disparities, diversity and inclusion, and implicit bias to reach the students of the 21st century. These skills are essential to supporting a learning environment that provides an inviting and supportive relationship for students. Cultural competence is paramount for faculty members to understand as this provides an awareness of the lens through which students view the world. Disparities speak to challenges that students face in class and can dramatically skew how students respond to challenges. Diversity and inclusion and implicit bias are essential to the skillset of faculty as they prepare students to work in the 21st century environment. Diversity and inclusion coupled with an awareness of implicit bias are necessary for success in a changing environment. Faculty need these skills to successfully meet the needs of today’s students.

· Cultural Competence (Wednesday, Oct 13 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lofnS2lFGZaSbqKeoYIWNnBprWbnhKLZ/view?usp=sharing

· Disparities (Wednesday, Oct 27 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1Bv0O_M5JWbG41euy6Y7SzXJD4_qYMv/view?usp=sharing

· Diversity and Inclusion (Wednesday, Nov 17 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fhy2LZ5a7y36U37cAvjEi3EK3plySVos/view?usp=sharing

· Implicit Bias (Wednesday, Dec 8 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l7ofofuARyQpS14R_9ZJ8Az_sFXQHJeK/view?usp=sharing

Presenter’s Bio

Colleen Marzilli, PhD, DNP, MBA, RN-BC, CCM, PHNA-BC, CNE, NEA-BC, is a nurse with over 15 years of nursing experience and over 10 years of experience teaching. Her research is in cultural competence and implicit bias, and she is passionate about researching these issues to provide the necessary tools and education to address these concepts in teaching, patient care, and to empower success in the 21st century. She has presented nationally and internationally on these concepts and issues, and eagerly seeks to educate others on these issues.

Why You Should Attend

The presentation will provide the audience a basic overview of cultural competence, disparities, diversity and inclusion, and implicit bias. These skills are essential for success in the 21st century, and faculty members can benefit from reviewing these concepts. Benefits extend beyond the classroom and extend into the 21st century workforce.

Abstract

Stigmatization and discrimination of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) nurses did not stop with anti-discrimination policies; they simply took a different form. Changing laws, unfortunately, does not necessarily change the culture of an organization. 25% of LGBTQ nurses report experiencing discrimination based solely upon their sexual orientation in the healthcare setting from their peers. Hostile work environments contribute to a decrease in productivity, increased errors, fewer quality patient outcomes, burnout, and turnover. Slightly over 60% of nurses support non-discrimination and protections of their LGBTQ colleagues. Intentional and purposeful improvements must take place to remedy this disparity; inclusivity and fostering a culture of acceptance in the clinical setting benefits everyone.

· LGBTQ+ (Tuesday, Dec 14 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fPtbxV9Nn_x1TH_xggZosv82Tny0cmVY/view?usp=sharing

· Nursing (Tuesday, Dec 28 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WFSkOrx6RfxMWnuRHQQgaHMWhiyiOcRe/view?usp=sharing

· Transformational Leadership (Tuesday, Jan 11 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KkmzC40MKJBn5pHY9XJo8Is2MH2xq6FP/view?usp=sharing

· Structural Empowerment (Tuesday, Jan 25 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h61YbxgcJls48RA3k80SzcFX1p01YkVk/view?usp=sharing

Presenter’s Bio

Hi, my name is Dr. Andrea Reed, and my pronouns are she/her. I live in Richmond, Virginia, with my husband and three children. Clinically, I have a fairly diverse background in nursing ranging from emergency medicine to lactation. I received my DNP from the University of Missouri- Kansas City, where I examined the impact of structural empowerment in non-acute healthcare settings in 2019. I am very passionate about advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the workplace and menstrual equity.

Why You Should Attend

Nurses who are empowered to practice as their authentic selves, experience increased job satisfaction and performance. An increased understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ nurses will increase empathy and competency in the workplace. Ultimately, inclusion creates a thriving and sustainable work culture.

Abstract

While all individuals are different, a general understanding of their culture can be gained by examining the tales that a culture holds dear. These tales, often told to individuals as children, form the basis of their belief system and thought processes. With a basic understanding of where people are coming from, we can start the conversation and process of real understanding.

· America - The Rugged Individual and The Underdog (Tuesday, Feb 22 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CVwfXRE6DYHihzE3tOedC-RYb4YqBdfr/view?usp=sharing

· The Far East - Honor, Patience, and Self-Respect (Tuesday, March 8 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/12V01YYweBgKd6wzc_HwmqY4Vn5ddu6re/view?usp=sharing

· Europe - We Are All Alike - Except When We're Not (Tuesday, March 15 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANgWdMo-T9lGdNEouXFEYpJcjGTsIGUs/view?usp=sharing

· Middle East and India - Life is Hard and Really Hard (Tuesday, March 22 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m4MU8Xq8Ia4A9JwYxIzl69FQPYZ2lZs3/view?usp=sharing

Presenter’s Bio

A former professional storyteller for more than 10 years throughout Southern California, Steven Gregory has told multicultural folktales to ages from 4 to 100. Thanks to a love of reading as well as both his bachelor's and master's degrees in literature, he's read thousands of tales from all around the world. Combined with travel throughout the United States and many parts of Europe, as well as conversations with individuals from all over the world, Steven has been able to take what many people just call "stories" and find depths to them that few have realized.

Why You Should Attend

In a world that is increasingly "small," cultural understanding is a must to ensure not only that we do not offend, but that we reach out to others from a place of understanding, appreciation, and respect. We might not all travel the world, yet we can still experience parts of it and realize that the way we see the world is not the way others see it.

Abstract

Eight minutes and forty-six seconds snuffed out George Floyd’s life and highlighted the two realities of black and white Americans. The treacherous forced ‘adoption’ or involuntary immigration of Africans from their homeland initially set the stage for lifetime enslavement and ongoing second-class citizenship. Attachment theory and Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory (IPARTheory) explore the parent/child dyad. As with the significance of parent/child dyad in attachment and IPARTheory, so too is the United States black/white dyad relationship. Nation attachment, often measured by patriotism, reveals itself through pride of nation. This work explores the black attachment by using America as an attachment figure.

· Expanding on attachment theory (Tuesday, April 5 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jze25OCEhbHVIlvJS28fot3Su_fnLJ6u/view?usp=sharing

· Making the case for Nation Attachment (Tuesday, April 19 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tzij7xlQ9TfjnYyRkIrV-GCnZxf0zSA3/view?usp=sharing

· Classification, Maltreatment, Patriarchy (Tuesday, May 3 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HZnHUf4pZWc53fF3E-yjvBKBlxqPqAj2/view?usp=sharing

· Moving toward Inclusion (Tuesday, May 17 @ 9:00am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e43UDBR7MiC_KFc1yfydCqjvSAdXpuch/view?usp=sharing

Presenter’s Bio

Dr. Doraine Baul-Pinson is currently an adjunct professor at various universities. She is in private practice as a licensed independent mental health practitioner and clinical supervisor. Dr. Baul-Pinson has been in the mental health field for 18 years where she serves clients in the Omaha area. Dr. Baul-Pinson also worked as a military family life counselor where she worked with military personnel around the world. Dr. Baul-Pinson possesses a doctorate degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Counseling from Capella University. She received her master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Much of her work has involved families where parental mental health disorders proved challenging and often placed these parents in the legal system due to child abuse or neglect, truancy and other issues. She has also worked with military veterans who participate in her Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Program, and she collaborates with probation services to provide counseling, education and group therapy. Dr. Baul-Pinson also works on community projects such as support groups and mediation for restorative justice.

Why You Should Attend

People often get upset when African Americans protest by kneeling or some other means to show their discontent with their country. African Americans tend to lack the same pride for America than their white counterparts. My series will consider how a lack of nation attachment plays a role. I will show how the criteria for attachment theory works in terms of a nation. I will show the research of how nations become attachment figures, the connection to African Americans, the system based on classification, maltreatment, and patriarchy. Lastly, I will consider possible solutions.