Equity in Missouri Higher Education

The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development will host the Equity in Missouri Higher Education Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. The Summit will feature the release of a report on the state of equity in Missouri higher education, presentations and breakout sessions related to equity in student access and progress.

See the full Summit agenda here.

2019 Equity in Missouri Higher Education Report

Registration Opens: 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast: 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.

Speakers: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Zora Mulligan, Commissioner of Higher Education
• Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., Vice President of Higher Education Policy, Education Trust
• Angelette Prichett, Director of Academic Affairs, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
• Erik Anderson, Director of Innovation and Performance, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development

Breakout Sessions 11:15 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.

• Using Data to Drive Institutional Transformation to Improve Retention and Graduation for Underrepresented Students
  • Trent Ball, Assistant Vice President for Academic Diversity and Outreach, Southeast Missouri State University
  • Alan Byrd, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at University of Missouri-St. Louis and Co-Chair of St. Louis Graduates
  • Moderator Allison Williams, Senior Vice President-Programs, Wyman and Co-Chair of St. Louis Graduates
• Reintegration Into the Workforce: Bringing Workers off the Sidelines

• Nancy Wiley, Federal Grant Manager, MOSTART Program, State Technical College of Missouri
• Shelle Jacobs, Reentry Coordinator, Missouri Department of Corrections

• Paving the Way to Rural Postsecondary Access & Success
  • Lisa MacDougall, Principal, Philanthropy & Social Impact, BDT & Company
  • Rebecca Merlenbach, College Access Advisor, The Ayers Foundation, Union High School
  • Tracy McGrady, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ozarks Technical Community College
  • Jerron Johnson, Director, Missouri College Advising Corps
  • Emily Davis, Student, University of Missouri

Results from the Oct. 29 hack-a-thon sessions will be reported during lunch on Oct. 30 from 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions 2:00 - 2:50 p.m.

• Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Students with IDD
• Jonathan Lidgus, Director UMSL-Succeed
• Rachel Heinz, Director of Bear POWER, Missouri State University
• April Regester, Associate Professor, University of Missouri-St. Louis
• Michael Brunkhorst, Director of Thrive, University of Central Missouri
• Alexis N. Petri, University of Missouri-Kansas City
• Using High Impact Practices and Practical Steps to Improve Retention and Graduation Rates for Underrepresented/Marginalized Students
• Donell Young, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement & Success, University of Missouri
• Trent Ball, Assistant Vice President for Academic Diversity and Outreach, Southeast Missouri State University
• Amy Gossett, Director of the Honors Program, Lincoln University
• Barriers to Access for Immigrant Students
• Jessica Piedra, Attorney, Law Office of Jessical Piedra, LLC
• Maria Franco, Student, University of Missouri-Kansas City

There is no cost to attend the Equity in Missouri Higher Education Summit, however advance registration is required to secure your spot. Hotel rooms at the special conference rate are available for the night of Tuesday, Oct. 29 when booked through this link: Summit Hotel Reservation.

Pre-conference event

A pre-conference hack-a-thon and networking dinner will be held Oct. 29. This pre-conference event will feature speaker Lasana Hotep, inaugural Dean of Student Equity and founding Executive Director of the Equity Institute at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. To receive an invitation to this event, please contact Sarah Salmons at sarah.salmons@dhewd.mo.gov.

Please contact Alicia Erickson at alicia.erickson@dhewd.mo.gov if you require special accommodations during the hack-a-thon or summt.