Center for Educational Equity and Diversity
Walla Walla University School of Education and Psychology
The Center for Educational Equity and Diversity (CEED) was established to increase research and improve practice on issues of diversity and equity in the Walla Walla University (WWU) School of Education and Psychology (SEP). It is a center founded to interact with the public, both on the WWU campus and the greater Walla Walla Valley community.
The Walla Walla University administration, faculty, and staff are firmly dedicated to principles of equity in action (Maynard-Reid, 2010). The belief that we are all God’s children, created in His image, gives inestimable value and worth to every individual, no matter their race, gender, cultural or social background, and inherent intellectual or physical abilities. Therefore, the WWU-SEP is committed to fostering the unique gifts of each individual and celebrates their diversity (Dunzweiler et al., 2016, p. 3).
Download the Pilot to Policy Grant, Proposed Outcomes & Status document.
Recent events
CEED Movie Event: Wonder
Recently, CEED held a free movie event for students on campus showing the movie Wonder in which pizza, snacks and drinks were provided.
The movie highlights August 'Auggie' Pullman who has a rare medical condition that has left him with a facial deformity. We follow along as Auggie attends middle school for the first time after homeschooling and learns to maneuver through challenges of developing friendships, managing bullies, and being confident in your own skin. This film equipped viewers with a hands on strategy for responding to diversity through kindness and acts as a reminder that there is "no point in trying to fit in, when you are meant to stand out."
Keep an eye out for our upcoming events!
Addition to CEED Faculty Team
It is our pleasure to welcome Professor Melody Ezpeleta to our CEED Team. She is serving as our Psychology Faculty Representative. Professor Ezpeleta has a B.S. in Psychology from Walla Walla University, and an M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. Her personal and professional experiences within various school systems has instilled a passion to give back to the community through active collaboration with others.
We are excited to welcome her to the team!
2021-2022 CEED Student Assistant
We are excited to introduce our new CEED Assistant for the 2021-2022 school year, Aleah Clarke. Aleah is a WWU Junior Elementary Education major and she is looking forward to assisting our team with our upcoming projects. Keep an eye out for announcements about our events this spring!
2020-2021 New CEED Assistant
We are happy to introduce our new CEED Assistant for the 2020-2021 school year. Ashley Beardsley, a WWU senior business administration major, is excited to join the CEED team. With the pandemic, this year has been a bit different than normal, but the CEED team has been working towards goals remotely for this upcoming year, despite challenges that have arisen.
Logo Rebranding
From November 2019 through April 2020, we worked diligently with Frank Ramirez, the owner and director of an organization called modest., to create a logo that we believe encapsulates our work here at CEED. modest is a "creative agency that provides digestible solutions unique to client needs".
Below is the artist's interpretation of our new logo:
"The development of a tree is determined by its foundation. Illustrated is a hand nurturing a seedling. Providing equitable opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds will bring forth fruitful returns. As educators we are never given a 'new' student, they have already built perspectives of the world. They are the seedlings. As educators we are guiding students with our knowledge, abilities and available resources. We are the hand."
CEED Holds First Advisory Board Meeting in October
Last spring CEED hosted an info session for interested WWU and local community members willing to either join our first advisory board or be involved in future CEED events. Over 15 people attended with a positive response for future engagement. The first CEED Advisory Board will officially meet on Wednesday, October 30. Thanks to all who continue to support the mission of CEED and increase research and improve practice on issues of diversity and equity in the School of Education and Psychology and greater community.
Welcome 2019-2020 CEED Staff
We are happy to welcome our newest CEED staff. Joyleen Mabika (pictured below right) is a senior at WWU and joins us as CEED Coordinator. WWU junior, Daniela Argumedo, (pictured left) is our new CEED Assistant. Both work hard to move the mission of CEED forward with grace and positivity. Welcome to the CEED team!
EL Training for Future Student Teachers
Diana Erickson, a local dual language training consultant, conducted three one hour EL training sessions for the EDUC 450: Introduction to Student Teaching class in May, 2019. Twenty teacher candidates learned how to utilize research-based strategies to implement in their future classrooms. Teacher candidates expressed that these training sessions were especially helpful in providing examples and context for how to plan their instruction to engage English learners in their classrooms. Each training session was accompanied by a dinner.
Spring Equity Workshop: McERA
On Thursday, May 9, 2019 CEED hosted a workshop with members of the Multi-Cultural Education Rights Alliance (McERA) from Seattle, Washington. This workshop featured a panel of discussion members from multi-cultural backgrounds who work with students and teachers in the Seattle Public Schools, as well as a Walla Walla community member. Dawn Bennet, Juan Cordova, Cindy Sandino-Chang, and Kathy Mulkerin answered questions about creating equitable spaces in multi-cultural classrooms. The panel members' stories and experiences illustrated the impact of connecting with individuals, asking questions, and building an open space for community in schools and classrooms. Workshop attendees included educators from multiple schools in the Walla Walla Valley, Blue Mountain Action Council members, WWU faculty and staff, and WWU students.
A follow up question and answer session was held Friday morning at The Atlas coffee house to continue the conversation and dialogue with McERA on building community and taking equitable action. More than 15 educators, students, and community members attended.
Dawn Bennet to host PD Workshop in May
Dawn Bennett from the Multicultural Education Rights Alliance will be hosting CEED's Spring Equity Professional Development Workshop on May 9 from 4–6 p.m. This workshop will include stories from Dawn Bennett and guest educators from the Seattle on the role of diversity and equity in education. The event will be hosted in WEC 209 and is free for all to attend. RSVP at CEEDpd.eventbrite.com.
CEED prepares for research journal launch
The Center for Educational Equity and Diversity (CEED) is preparing to launch its first research based, peer reviewed e-journal, diversus. The purpose of the journal shall be to disseminate scholarly work to an audience of educators with interest in the promotion of equity and diversity in educational settings. The audience will be hospitable to, but not limited to Christian educational settings, and would encourage articles that address the issue of diversity in the Pacific Northwest USA as well as the wider American and Christian community. A sampling of topics the journal might include are special education and inclusion in education, representation of women and ethnic minority groups in STEM fields, discrimination due to race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexuality, and access of underserved population groups to educational opportunities. Diversus is seeking research articles, research reviews, book reviews, and commentary by educators or others interested in educational equity and diversity. Contact austin.archer@jdzruiran.com.
ELL Training Event
On Monday, October 22, 2018 CEED co-sponsored a training event with the WWU Student Teaching class. This event featured two guest speakers, Melissa Lopez and Helen Cantero, from Davis Elementary. Both Lopez and Cantero run bilingual buddy programs in their classrooms. At this training, students learned about effective ELL teaching strategies to implement in their classrooms, and also enjoyed a pizza dinner. A question and answer session followed.
Katie Kissinger Workshop
In May, CEED hosted a workshop by Katie Kissinger, author of Anti-Bias in the Early Childhood Classroom: Hand in Hand, Step by Step. Over 60 participants attended the event, held in our School of Education and Psychology Curriculum Library. The event included group discussion and refreshments, along with Katie’s own engaging stories about her experience as an anti-bias educator. Katie’s stories illustrate the power of open dialogue and equitable practices in creating safe and welcoming classrooms. The passion Katie has for seeing the ability in all her students inspired the future and current educators in attendance.
Erin Jones: Understanding My Why
CEED had the honor of hosting professional educator Erin Jones for a community event. In 2013, Jones was recognized at the White House as a "Champion of Change and in 2015 was Washington State PTA's "Outstanding Educator." During this thought-provoking event, Jones shared her life story and led an interactive workshop which taught strategies for increasing equity and diversity in education. The event was held on May 22, 2017 from 4–7 p.m. in the Winter Educational Complex, Room 209.
Toy Hack Workshop
CEED sponsored the Society of Bioengineering and the Education Club in hosting a toy hack workshop where students modified toys to make them more accessible for children with disabilities. The event was held on Sunday, February 25, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm in the Project Lab on the 3rd floor of Kretschmar.
Free Movie Event
Fall quarter, CEED hosted a free movie event for the community. The film shown was Spare Parts, the inspirational true story of a down-and-out teacher and his students entering a NASA sponsored Lego robotics competition. Free pizza, hot drinks and desserts were provided.
News
4/11/2022
Donald Blake Center Conference
4/05/2022
Distinguished Scholar Lecture
3/10/2022
Granting Cultural Competence