We invite you to join us for a day of critical dialogue, connection, and pedagogical growth at our upcoming symposium:

At the Crossroads of Identity and Discrimination: A Pedagogical Symposium

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM)

Location: Highlander Union Building, 3rd floor 

Registration: https://forms.gle/MY1SNZoWH5bmMyfn9 *This is a free event, but registration is required.

Why Attend? This symposium is designed to move beyond theory and into practice. By bringing together students, staff, and faculty, we aim to explore how UCR’s diverse identities navigate systemic barriers and how our collective research, teaching, and advocacy can address inequalities in the Inland Empire and beyond.

Featured Keynote Speakers We are honored to welcome two national leaders in the field of higher education equity:

• Royel Johnson, PhD: Renowned scholar on student success and racial equity in education.

  Director of the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) and Associate Professor at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education (HUB 302 @ 9AM) 

• Paulette Granberry Russell, JD: President of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).

  President Emerita of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE 2020-2025) (HUB 302 @ 4PM) 

Featured Panelists: 

More Than a Percentage: What it Means to be an MSI

(Breakout Session 1 @ 10AM, HUB 379)

Panelists:

Dr. Jamal Myrick

Prof. Myisha Cherry

Maite Zabala-Alday

Prof. Rican Vue

Prof. Jennifer Nájera

Connecting the Dots: Shared Struggles toward Institutional Change

(Breakout Session 1 @ 10AM, HUB 265) 

Panelists:

Victor Moreira

Stephen Morales

Briana Biswas

Prof. Gerald Clarke

Bias in the Lab, Field and Library: Creating Inclusive Research Environments

(Breakout Session 2 @ 11:15AM, HUB 379) 

Panelists:

Dr. Flip Tanedo

Briana Savage

Alvaro Alvarez

Dr./Prof. Denise Martinez

Crossing Borders, Building Community

(Breakout Session 2 @ 11:15AM, HUB 265) 

Panelists:

Sonia Garcia Avelar

Kelly Eldridge-Hinosawa

Luis Miranda

Prof. Amos Lee

The Role of R1 Research in Social Justice Work

(Breakout Session 3 @ 1:45PM, HUB 379) 

Panelists:

Prof. Rita Kohli

Prof. Kēhaulani Vaughn

Michael Madrigal

Harley Clifton

Beyond Binaries and Colorism

(Breakout Session 3 @ 1:45PM, HUB 265) 

Panelists:

Deejay Brown

Kimberely Flores

Serafin Aguilar Jr.

Prof. Raquel Rall

Who Should Attend?

• Students looking to strengthen their network of partners committed to social justice.

• Faculty interested in how R1 research capacity can be a tool for equity and seeking to improve their inclusive teaching practices. *Faculty may send students for extra credit. Onsite Registration available for last minture access. 

• Staff and Administrators navigating institutional barriers and seeking community-based solutions. Staff may send student assistants/interns for professional delevlopment.  Onsite Registration available for last minture access. 

Meals & Networking: A continental breakfast, full catered lunch, and networking breaks will be provided to all registered attendees.