Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

About the speaker:
Dr. Steven D. Parker

Dr. Steven D. Parker (he/him) is a transdisciplinary researcher-practitioner-leader in the fields of postsecondary education, government, and mental health. As a social worker, he has years of experience working alongside folx who are underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized across the nation. He has centered his work as a psychotherapist around individuals who live with neurodevelopmental dis/Abilities as well as trauma-based dis/Abilities. Leveraging critical praxis, Dr. Parker has served as an executive administrator in postsecondary education and government where he has strategically focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, social and racial justice (DEIA+). His work includes critical strategies that address systemic disparities while reconstructing systems to omit oppression.

Schedule

Monday, January 19, 2026
The following events are free and open to the public.

• Convocation: 10 – 11:15 a.m., Church-Chapel (livestream)
• Final Celebration: 3:15 – 4 p.m., Recreation-Fitness Center

Students and employees are also invited to engage in some additional activities on Monday.
Please note that only Roundtable 1 is open to faculty and staff, the rest of the events are for students only. 

• Roundtables: 1-2 p.m.
  • Roundtable 1 (Open to Faculty & Staff): Critical Race Theory: A Round Table for Advocacy Enhancement
  • Roundtable 2 (Students Only): Roundtable Discussion – Interpersonal Reflection to Recognize, Rejuvenate and Redeem
• Workshops (Students Only): 2:15-3:15 p.m.
  • Workshop 1: Cultivating A Sense of Belonging for Multicultural Communities
    
  • Workshop 2: Exploring mindfulness and somatic interventions in response to stressors

More details about the roundtables and workshops are available below.

 

 

 

Session Information

Roundtable 1 (1-2 p.m., Koinonia Room)
Open to Faculty & Staff

Title: Critical Race Theory: A Round Table for Advocacy Enhancement
Presenter: Dr. Steven D. Parker, M.A., M.S.W., Ed.D., L.M.S.W.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a modern tool used to explain oppressive behavior(s) in society. CRT moves beyond racial theory as an applicable practice when advocates understand how to operationalize its tenets for “good trouble.” Participants will engage in discussion through thought-partnership to better understand the usability of CRT in advocacy work.

Roundtable 2 (1-2 p.m., Connector Lounge)
Open to Students only

Title: Roundtable Discussion – Interpersonal Reflection to Recognize, Rejuvenate and Redeem
Presenter: Dennis Dueño, M.A.| Associate Director, HEOP

This roundtable will provide reflective thought-partnership for those who attended the keynote speech. Participants will be able to reflect on how their learning from the keynote may influence their work, studies and personal lives in 2026. The facilitator will spark critical thinking and interpersonal dialogue.

Workshop 1 (2:15-3:15 p.m., Connector Lounge)
Open to Students only

Title: Cultivating A Sense of Belonging for Multicultural Communities
Presenter: Dennis Dueño, M.A.| Associate Director, HEOP

A sense of belonging, a phrase used vastly in business practice, and postsecondary education in an attempt to enhance ethos. Including belonging in mission or vision statements is ineffective when the term belonging is ambiguous and there are no intentional actions to reinforce the statements. Multiculturalism must be factored in and intentionally implement multicultural competence for ourselves and our people in order to cultivate belonging in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

Workshop 2 (2:15-3:15 p.m., Connector Game Room)
Open to Students only

Title: Exploring mindfulness and somatic interventions in response to stressors
Presenter: Alejandro Whalen, M.S., L.G.P.C. | Clinical Mental Health Therapist

This workshop will integrate best practice modalities for mental health related to stress. Bias is a part of life across the globe. Bias can be targeted at all folx with serious consequences on mental and physical health. Black folx and other people of color have experienced social bias (e.g., racism, oppression, red lining) disproportionately in this nation and arguably around the world. It is critical that people of color take care of their mental health to ensure healthy coping strategies are in place when met with social bias. This workshop will engage participants in ways that lead to healthier thinking and application of healthy coping strategies.