Metropolitan State University of Denver is furthering its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by generously supporting Colorado State University’s Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Summer Institute from July 27-30.
MSU Denver experts and leaders
Chalane Lechuga, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Chicana/o Studies, and Adriana Nieto, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Chicana/o Studies, have been selected as presenters. Alumna Kali Fajardo-Anstine, author of “Sabrina & Corina” and “Woman of Light,” has been asked to deliver the keynote address.
Lechuga and Nieto will further share their expertise by participating in a panel on directing and overseeing DEI-focused programs and initiatives and leadership challenges and resolutions.
University looks to increase educators of color
In joining this event and contributing to larger conversations on women of color leadership in higher education, Lechuga and Nieto hope to gain information and contribute to supporting the retention of women of color at MSU Denver and faculty, members in particular. In 2021, there were 67 faculty members at MSU Denver who are women of color, and of those, 25 identify as Latina or Native American/Indigenous. Of these 25 faculty members, 17 are tenured and three are tenure track.
“This is one opportunity to support the retention of women of color at MSU Denver, and Latina and Native American/Indigenous women in particular, while also fostering the development of women of color leaders in higher education,” Lechuga said. “There is ample opportunity to continue to recruit and retain women of color employees across the institution relative to our student population, which is 50.3% students of color.”
RSVP by Friday to attend the MALCS event
The Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Summer Institute and its annual event emerged to give Chicana/Latina and Native American women an opportunity to support scholarship by often focusing on the needs of their communities. It also provides support to students of color through mentoring, support, advice on navigating higher education and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
The event is open to all women, trans and gender-nonconforming people who identify as Chicana, Latina, Afro-Latina, Native American and/or Indigenous working toward the support, education and dissemination of Chicana/Latina and Native American women’s issues.
Registration ends Friday, and there are about 50 spots remaining.