ST. LOUIS • MISSOURI • USA

About the Conference Sessions | Call For Programs| Submit a Program | Keynote Speakers | Registration | Lodging | Schedule at a Glance

Overview of Conference

We live in an ever-increasingly diverse and thus complex society, both here and abroad. Contributing to this complexity are the identities shaped by differences within and intersections among one's race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, class, ability, and religion. These and other meaning-making frameworks challenge us as educators to question and analyze what we believe we know and how this is reflected in the present work we do with students on a daily basis.

As just one example, the 2000 U.S. Census questionnaire for the first time provided individuals the choice to select more than one option for race. In response, 6.8 million or 2.4% of Americans chose to do so. While the majority of the 2.4% respondents chose two races, more than 400,000 people selected three. In 1991, 3.2% of college students were categorized as "unknown" from their admissions applications if they selected more than one race or left the race question blank. In 2001, this number had risen to 5.9%. Regrettably, there is still no reliable data on the actual number of biracial or multiracial students on college and university campuses. How does the 2000 Census data inform us about today's students?

This conference is designed to assist college student educators reconceptualize identity development to be more inclusive of intersections among students' multiple identities and to create more inclusive learning environments. Some of the issues that might be raised at this conference include: How does the cross section of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, class, ability, and religion shape our students? Ourselves? How do we attend to the tension between building multiracial communities on our campuses while balancing the needs of students individually? How can we create learning environments within and across these identity categories while attempting to "do no harm, but benefit to all?" To what extent does the current generation of college students care about differences within and among these social constructs? How does the lack of knowledge about oppression, power and privilege affect intergroup dynamics and communication? How can educators assist students who are unaware or don't care about societal privilege as it relates to the construct of race and other identities?

Plan to join us as we explore these and other critical questions. Students, both graduate and undergraduate, are also welcome to attend and participate!

About the Conference Sessions

Pre-Conference Workshops
“Social Identity Development 201: The Fourth Decade of Research”
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of identity development theories.  We will review a range of theories and approaches to understanding students’ social identities, such as developmental stage theories and social constructionist perspectives on identity.  We will look at the development of individual identities, such as race, ethnicity, and social class, as well as relationships among multiple social identities.  We will also explore some ideas about how identity is related to other domains of development.  This workshop is geared toward individuals who have not had formal training in college student identity development theory or who wish to become more familiar with the current body of knowledge about identity development. 

“Walking the Talk: Creating Effective Campus Programs about Multiracial Identities”
Fortunately, we know more about multiracial student development than ever before. However, it is imperative that we put theory into practice. This workshop will provide a brief overview about multiracial student identity and an opportunity to discuss issues facing this student population. You will be guided through the creation of an effective campus program, including questions to consider and resources to draw upon as they plan their event. All participants will walk away with elements of a program that they can implement on their campus. In addition to planning your own program, you will have the opportunity to see what other participants have developed in order to generate further ideas and inspiration.

Plenary Sessions will offer participants the opportunity to hear Conference Faculty talk about "big idea" issues. These will be organized as moderated panel discussions with 3-4 Conference Faculty around a central topic. Limited time for Q & A will be available for participants at the end of the session.

Moderated Panel Discussions:
“Evolving Research on Multiple Identities”
Dr. Elisa Abes, Assistant Professor, Miami University of Ohio (moderator)
Dr. Susan Jones, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
Dr. Dafina Stewart, Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University (OH)

“Evolving Research on Multiracial Identity”
Dr. Andrew Jolivette, Assistant Professor, San Francisco State University
Dr. Kris Renn, Associate Professor, Michigan State University
Dr. Matthew Taylor, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Dr. Charmaine Wijeyesinghe, Diversity Consultant

“Campus Best Practices for Multiracial and Multiple Identities”
Dr. Kelley Kenney, Professor, Kutztown University and Chair of the American Counseling   
    Association’s (ACA) Multiracial & Multiethnic Interest Network
Ms. Amanda Suniti Niskode (moderator)
    Ph.D. student, Indiana University, and co-chair of ACPA’s Multiracial Network
Mr. Ken Tanabe, Founder of Loving Day (recognizing the 39th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia,
    the 1967 Supreme Court decision that overturned miscegenation laws in Virginia and 15 other
    States)
Mr. Vernon Wall, Social Justice Educator and Senior Consultant, Washington Consulting Group

Concurrent Programs will be selected from among proposals submitted for presentation at the conference by graduate students, faculty, and administrators. In each of the 5 blocks set aside for concurrent programs there will be at least one session covering each of the Conference Tracks (research, assessment, best practices, and professional development).

Small Group Dialogues will allow participants the opportunity to speak with each other and/or Conference Faculty informally about particular topics of concern or interest regarding multiracial and multiple identities. During both of the two session blocks set aside, there will be the opportunity for participants to create their own dialogue forum by signing up at the beginning of each day.

Graduate students will also have the exclusive opportunity to meet with Conference Faculty for discussion and informal networking and mentoring during the last time slot of the conference.

Learning Outcomes

Your participation at this exciting and cutting-edge conference will help you:

1. Reconceptualize identity development to be more inclusive of differences within and across identity categories, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, class, ability, and religion.
2. Learn strategies to enhance the quality of the learning environment within and across these identity categories.
3. Explore with colleagues the ways in which we can effectively create or build multiracial/multiple identities communities while also supporting students individually.
4. Learn methods to integrate research, practice, assessment, and professional development to best serve students and the profession.

The conference format will consist of plenary and concurrent sessions, small group discussions, poster session, and fun networking opportunities.

Target Audience

This conference is designed for a diverse audience:

• Student affairs professionals at all levels - entry, mid-level and senior student affairs officers
• Faculty (both undergraduate and graduate)
• Academic administrators
• Students, both undergraduate and graduate
• Community leaders, including K-12

Keynote Speakers

ACPA is pleased and fortunate to have two excellent keynote speakers for this conference. Both speakers have conducted extensive research in multiracial and multiple identities and have written numerous publications on these topics.

Conference Planning Team

Dr. Elisa Abes, Miami University (OH)
Dr. Kristen Renn, Michigan State University
Ms. Amanda Suniti Niskode, Indiana University and Chair, ACPA Multiracial Network
Dr. Dafina Stewart, Bowling Green State University (OH)
Dr. Jacqueline Skinner Jackson, ACPA International Office

Registration

Early Bird Rates are listed in yellow.

Discount for Campus Teams
ACPA is pleased to provide campus team discounts for this conference. Save $10.00 off each registration when registering two individuals from the same institution. Save $20.00 off each registration when registering three or more individuals from the same institution. To receive the team discount, a registration for each team member must be mailed or faxed in together to receive the applicable discount. The fax number for the ACPA International Office is 1 202.296.3286.

Lodging

The conference will be held at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. ACPA has acquired a special room rate of $106 single/double. To make your reservation, please call 1 877.845.7354 and reference ACPA Conference on Multiracial and Multiple Identities. The hotel is located at One South Broadway at Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri USA 63102. The deadline date to receive the special rate is January 23, 2008.

City Attractions
The hotel is just steps away from its most famous landmark, the Gateway Arch, the Riverfront, numerous restaurants and all of St. Louis's major attractions.

Transportation
The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport provides service to the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

MetroLink, a light rail system, is available from the airport. You can catch MetroLink from either the Lambert Airport Main Terminal or the Lambert Airport East Terminal. Take the train to the Stadium metro stop. The Stadium metro stop is a 3-5 minute walk from the hotel. Take the wheelchair accessible ramp and the hotel will be to your right. Go through the rear of the hotel to the registration desk. The cost to ride the MetroLink is $2.00.

Taxi service from the airport will cost $25 - $30 one way.

Please note the hotel does not provide shuttle service to and from the airport.

Continuing Education Credits

ACPA is a certified provider of CEU credits awarded by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). This conference and other ACPA professional development programs are eligible for NBCC credit. Download the NBCC form. Questions? Please contact Jacqueline Skinner Jackson, Director of Educational Programs, at jjackson@acpa.nche.edu or 202.835.2272.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

Registrations can be paid by check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. All fees must be prepaid. Purchase orders are not accepted. Refunds will be given for cancellations, received in writing at ACPA by January 4, 2008 less a $25 processing fee. After January 4, there are no refunds. ACPA reserves the right to charge a service fee of $20 for returned checks. A processing fee of $20 per registration will be charged for credit cards declined or to change payment methods after the initial payment is processed. Registrations are non-transferable. The conference may be cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, the fees will be fully refunded; however, ACPA will not be responsible for other additional costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines and/or travel agencies.

Questions?

Contact Jacqueline Skinner Jackson, Director of Educational Programs and Publications at ACPA, 1 202 835 2272

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