Black Laurentian Initiative, Staff, and Alumni Present at AAC&U Conference
Several members of the St. Lawrence community participated in the 2022 American Association of Colleges & Universities Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success on March 17-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
During the “More Than Just Words” themed conference, Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Kimberly Flint-Hamilton, Director of HEOP Bill Short, Hamidou Sylla ’21, and Michael Paulino ’20 led a roundtable discussion titled, “Student Advocacy Leads to Concrete Action at St. Lawrence University.” The group told the story of the St. Lawrence’s Black Laurentian Initiative and its efforts to build coalitions among St. Lawrence student groups, faculty, and staff to implement change.
“Our roundtable discussion was full with ‘standing room only,’” said Flint-Hamilton. “Several participants were eager to take the ideas we shared back to their own campuses.”
With the support of funding from the Black Laurentian Initiative, Penda Sarr ’24, Fousani Hamidou ’24, Mabelin Garcia De La Rosa '22, Rafael Escoto '24, Titilayo Aluko '25, Lucky Amonding '23, Iman Maani '22, Kelly Daphness '23, and Colby Lauria '25, attended the in-person conference.
“It was a great opportunity to meet other young people at other institutions that were doing similar work as the BLI when it comes to equality, justice, and inclusion,” said Vice-President of the BLI Penda Sarr in an interview with The Hill News.
For the group, attending the conference was an opportunity to remain steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the St. Lawrence community.
“I’ve connected with several St. Lawrence students and each is energized and has some ideas they brought back for SLU,” said Short.
The AAC&U is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the vitality and democratic purposes of undergraduate liberal education.
