Dr. Walaa Awad, Program Director of Science and Professor at Baker College, took the stage at the 36th Annual National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) in Oʻahu, Hawaii, delivering a transformative presentation on “Integrating Diversity and Inclusion into Science Curricula in Higher Education.” Among the 1,400 proposals submitted, Dr. Awad’s proposal was one of the few selected, showcasing the crucial importance of embedding diversity in the context of her presentation. Representing Baker College among 5,500 attendees, Dr. Awad described the experience as both an honor and a powerful opportunity to engage with passionate educators and leaders from across the nation.
“My goal was to highlight the importance of diverse curricular content, teaching effectiveness, and evaluating support structures and strategies to foster diversity innovation in science curricula,” Dr. Awad said. “It was inspiring to discuss the pressing need for celebrating diversity and taking concrete actions to embed it within our educational frameworks.”
The conference offered Dr. Awad the opportunity to engage with fellow educators on the importance of legislative and policy support for DEIJ initiatives. “Hearing where other institutions stand and learning about their strategies to address these challenges was enlightening and motivating,” she said. The event included impactful keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and panel discussions that provided invaluable insights into fostering inclusive environments in higher education.
Dr. Awad expressed how the conference reaffirmed Baker College’s commitment to advancing DEIJ efforts. “By helping students understand their own privilege through other people’s experiences and providing opportunities for them to explore their own beliefs and positions in society, we can prepare them to recognize and challenge systemic barriers in their communities,” Dr. Awad added.
Additionally, Dr. Awad presented at the Michigan Open Educational Resources (OER) Conference in Grand Rapids, MI where she discussed “Enhancing Equity Through OER.” The presentation focused on how OER can bridge educational gaps, promote inclusive teaching, and support students’ success by alleviating financial burdens. Through her participation in NCORE and OER, Dr. Awad continues to bring innovative perspectives on DEIJ to Baker College, helping shape a more inclusive future for all students.
The Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS) was founded in 1961 and is based at the University of Oklahoma Outreach / College of Continuing Education. SWCHRS is devoted to the study, understanding, and resolution of human conflict and to promoting understanding and cooperation among people of different racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. One of the major programs SWCHRS produces is the annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE®).
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.