The Academy as Contemplative Practice
Dates: September 23, 2020, 1:30pm-3:30 pm
October 28, 2020, 3:00pm-5:00pm
November 4, 2020, 11:30 am-1:00pm
Format: Virtual
Host: Institute for Advanced Study, IU Bloomington
How do we create an IU that is bold, intentional, dynamic, adaptive, interdependent, and transformative? (from Adrienne Marie Brown, 2017, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds). Is it possible for “…a group of people to theorize to develop a set of agreements to guide a transformational change” within the university, one that is predicated on wholeness? (from Laura Rendon, 2009, Sentipensante (sensing/thinking) pedagogy: educating for wholeness, social justice, and liberation).
Join The Graduate Mentoring Center and special guests to explore Rendon’s core question: “What is the experience of creating a teaching and learning dream (pedagogic vision) based on wholeness and consonance, respecting the harmonious rhythm between the outer experience of intellectualism and rational insight, emotion, and awareness?
We invite you to read Sentipensante with us (October 8 and 22, November 5 and 19) in preparation for Dr. Rendon’s visit and for a longer conversation about how to transform higher education. IU faculty, staff, and students, you may access the book at ebook central through IU libraries. A limited number of books will be available for students or others who need a hard copy.
Please REGISTER below for each session separately to receive meeting information.
Questions? Need a hard copy of the book for the reading group? Please email iugmc@indiana.edu
September 23, 2020, 1:30pm-3:30 pm (REGISTER)
David W. Robinson-Morris, Ph.D.
David W. Robinson-Morris, Ph.D. is the founding Director of The Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit at Xavier University of Louisiana, Assistant Professor in the Division of Education and Counseling, and serves the university’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research with a dual concentration in Higher Education Administration and Curriculum Theory. Dr. Robinson-Morris is the author of Ubuntu and Buddhism in Higher Education: An Ontological (Re)Thinking published by Routledge in November 2018. He is a member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Psi, Omicron Delta Kappa. His service includes membership in the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE), American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association of Fundraising Professionals, (AFP), and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE).
October 28, 2020, 3:00pm-5:00pm (REGISTER)
Melissa Carter, MBA
Melissa Carter is the Associate Director for Global Spiritual Life at New York University and is the Head of Mindfulness Education and Programming for MindfulNYU. She is an Adjunct Professor for the Silver School of Social Work and is the New York Trauma-Informed facilitator for Connection Coalition. She is a Mama Glow-trained doula. Melissa has been featured in Billboard magazine's "Top 30 Under 30 Executives" as well as The Naked Podcast and The Trailblazer Podcast. Over the last ten years, Melissa has traveled to 15 different countries to lead workshops on the intersection of spirituality, social justice and mindfulness, and their interconnectedness with belonging, self-care, intuitive and emotional intelligence, and their impact on one’s suffering & liberation.
November 4, 2020, 11:30am-1:00pm (REGISTER)
Laura I. Rendón, Ph.D.
Laura I Rendón is Professor Emerita--University of Texas-San Antonio. As a nationally-recognized speaker, her presentations focus on topics such as student success, Latinx STEM students, deep learning experiences and self-care and healing. Rendón developed “validation theory” that is now used to frame research studies and programmatic activities. Rendón is also a teaching and learning thought leader in the field of contemplative education. She is the author of Sentipensante (Sensing/Thinking Pedagogy): Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice and Liberation. In 2013 the Texas Diversity Council selected Rendón as one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas. In 2019 the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center recognized Rendón as one of the nation’s most Distinguished Latina Scholars. Rendón is a member of the Board of Directors of the John N Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education and a fellow of the Mind and Life Institute.