Higher education is at a turning point.  Underrepresented STEM students (including women, first generation students, low-income students, disabled students, students of color, and students at the intersections of these identities), are often perceived from a "deficit" perspective, i.e., lacking the preparation, learning abilities, and cultural capital necessary to achieve academic success.   In today’s world, educational institutions and businesses alike have started thinking about the need for inclusive practices that respond to and celebrate diversity and are trying to re-envision STEM education through anti-racist and culturally responsive lenses. Because equity transcends disciplinarity, we invite participants from all academic and professional arenas, to join us in this collaborative learning conference.

Supported and hosted by Holyoke Community College and the National Science Foundation (NSF #2030890), along with several partners, the ARISE inaugural Spring 2024 conference will bring together key stakeholders—educators focused on (a) advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on campuses and (b) awareness, preparation and needs of nonprofits, businesses and industries and other members of the community.

The conference program will offer participants the opportunity to reflect on implementing inclusive or culturally responsive strategies in their classrooms and institutions, to share best practices or research around equity and inclusion as it relates to teaching, and create systemic change around STEM higher education practices.

Focused on expanding knowledge about STEM DEI initiatives, the conference will include:

• Strategies, best practices and resources you can bring back t o your institution

• Training on inclusive, anti-racist, culturally responsive practices as a factor of creating change at the institutional level

• Interactive problem-solving workshops and activities

• Peer-to-peer networking