Monroe County Community College is hosting a Zoom conversation of Diversity and Equity in Education on Tuesday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. The community, along with students, faculty and staff of the college, to attend this free Zoom event. Visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/events/diversity-equity-in-education for Zoom login information.
"MCCC’s first goal in its newly framed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan is to establish a sustainable DEI infrastructure," said Dr. Scott Behrens, vice president for enrollment management and student success for MCCC. "During this special presentation we will be exploring important questions such as, what does diversity and equity in education look like? And why is this so important? To delve into this topic, we are hosting a panel of the foremost experts in diversity and equity in education to share their expertise and experience as leaders." Behrens will serve as moderator for the discussion.
The Diversity and Equity in Education panel of presenters includes:
Dr. Alessandro (Alex) Anzalone currently serves as campus president for Martin County at Indian River State College, vice-president of FL Contract Growers Inc., and he is an opera singer. Dr. Anzalone received Hillsborough Community College’s 2020 Champions of Diversity Exemplary Administrator Award and Florida Advanced Technical Education Center’s Manufacturing Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award in 2013. He has also been president of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Puerto Rico Chapter and standing co-chair of the Florida Engineering Technology Forum.
Dr. Truman Hudson Jr. is a social economist, author, educator and community builder who has co-designed curricula and programs for diverse student populations at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Oakland University and Wayne County Community College District. His community-building efforts have yielded over $968 million in resources for various educational and community economic development projects. Dr. Hudson has served as the director of research and development for industry and community partnerships for the Center for Disparity, Equity and Solutions at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and outreach coordinator for Wayne State University’s College of Education. Currently, Hudson is investigating youth perspectives on COVID-19, social justice movements, and efforts to transform and increase equity in education.
Dr. Dale K. Nesbary has served as President of Muskegon Community College since 2009. MCC was named best community college in Michigan in 2017 by BestColleges.com and in 2021 by Intellegent.com. The college raised record amounts of grants, gifts and community funding in support of $55 million infrastructure investment, the largest since opening its main campus in 1967. He has published three books and over 30 academic papers, primarily in finance, technology and policing. In 2021, he was the first recipient of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County’s Impact Award in recognition of his exceptional work to advance education, foster a dynamic local economy and promote prosperity for all in Muskegon County. He also received the 2021 Muskegon BEAT Living Legend Award.
Chris Rutherford is acting director of community mobilization strategy for the Michigan College Access Network. Chris has dedicated nearly 30 years to working in education and education-serving organizations. His diverse background in K-12 education, government, corporate, higher education and nonprofits gives him a unique set of skills and experiences. Chris recently worked at the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, where he co-led its national Promise of Place strategy as well as its High School Excellence Initiative. Chris also serves as chairperson of the board of directors for Broadside Lotus Press, which is the nation’s oldest African American-owned publisher of African American poetry. An economist by training,
Dr. Kojo Quartey is president of Monroe County Community College in southeast Michigan, a position he has held since 2013. He holds a doctoral degree in applied economics from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a master’s degree in economics from Morgan State University. Dr. Quartey is a published author on topics of international and economic development. His previous positions were provost at the City Colleges of Chicago, dean of the College of Business at Davenport University, dean at Talladega College and several leadership positions at Lincoln University Missouri. He is involved in numerous community and volunteer activities.