Ducks Creating Change

Multicultural Alumni Conference
May 20–21, 2016

Ducks Creating Change is the theme of the 2016 Multicultural Alumni Conference. The conference will feature entertaining and informative sessions about influencing social change as well as personal and professional growth presented by students, alumni, and faculty alike. For alumni, it will be an exciting time to return to campus, reconnect with fellow Ducks, meet and motivate current students, and learn more about the UO's many diversity initiatives. For UO students and faculty, it will be a wonderful opportunity to build your professional network and hear how your fellow Ducks are creating change in their communities.

Schedule and Locations:

A tentative schedule for the event is listed below. All updates on confirmed speakers and panelists will be reflected on this page. All events will be held at the Ford Alumni Center in Eugene, Oregon, May 20–21. Activities will include variety of both professional and social events such as reception, dinner, panel discussions, and faculty presentations.

Click here to download the full conference program. 

Friday, May 20, 2016

4:00–5:00 p.m. Conference Check-In and Registration

4:00–5:00 p.m. Coffee Hour Networking 

5:00–7:00 p.m. Conference Kick-off and Reception
Featuring a keynote address from UO President Michael H. Schill, and student and alumni speakers. Special musical performance by Ahiru Daiko.  

Saturday, May 21, 2016

8:30 a.m. Breakfast and Welcome from Yvette Alex-Assensoh, Vice President of Equity and Inclusion
Sponsored by Alacrity Services. 

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Alumni and Student Presentations

9:15 a.m.  Recruitment through a Multicultural Lens

The main roles of the Student Ambassadors Program include conducting tours, taking part in recruitment events, and being a student representative for the UO. Multicultural recruiter-ambassadors focus their recruitment efforts on underrepresented students. Hear about their strategies, programs, and goals for increasing overall student body diversity.

Presenter:  Tracee Spears '16, Student Ambassador Program

9:40 a.m. Building Business Leaders

An initiative spearheaded by the college's undergraduate advising office, Building Business Leaders connects underrepresented minority students to the Lundquist College of Business, engages underrepresented minority students in an exciting experience while in the pre-business program, and open doors to career opportunities in business and accounting fields.

10:20 a.m. Creating an Inclusive Environment, One Bathroom at a Time
The University of Oregon is changing the way it labels some of its bathrooms. Over one hundred restrooms on campus are now considered "gender inclusive."
Presenter: Maure Smith-Benanti, Director LGBTESSP

10:45 a.m. Black Student Task Force

11:10 a.m. Breaking Down Stereotypes

11:35 a.m. Podcasting as Empowerment: Share Your Voice with the World to Create Change
Presenter: Dennis Worden '06, Creator, NextGen Native

Noon–1:00 p.m. Keynote Luncheon with Joseph Wahl '80
Sponsored by Partners in Diversity and Portland Business Alliance
Presenter: Joseph Wahl '80, Assistant Director, Office of Equity and Human Rights, Portland Business Alliance

1:00 p.m.  Ducks Creating Change
Representatives from the University of Oregon will focus on helping participants synthesize the information from the panels to concrete actionable items. The discussion will cover the following topics:
1. Becoming an advocate and ambassador for the UO;
2. What individuals can do to make a difference;
3. What Ducks can do to create change at the UO and in their communities.
Presenters:  James Chang, UO Alumni Association (moderator)
Joelle Rankins-Goodwin, DART
Sam Matta, UO Career Center
Megan Knowles, UO Advancement
Tyde Kaneshiro, UO Alumni Association

1:35 p.m. Student Breakout Sessions

Sponsored by Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber 
Rehearsals for Life
Multicultural Center 
"Why do I need networking skills?" presented by Ayasha Thurman '16
Delta Upsilon

2:05 p.m. Closing Session and Raffle

Registration:

$10 - UOAA members (login required)
$20 - General
Free - Current UO students, faculty, and staff
Conference fees cover admission to all Friday and Saturday activities, including speaker presentations, continental breakfast, receptions, and keynote luncheon.

Click the registration button below or call the UOAA at 800-245-ALUM to register over the phone.



Online registration is open through May 20.

Additionally, we are working to secure child care options for attendees and partial travel stipends for out-of-town attendees. Contact Shannon Rose for details.

Click here to complete an application for a travel stipend to attend the conference. 

Questions?