By Yasmin Kadir

This May, the Equity in Graduate Education (EGE) Consortium convened for its annual meeting, bringing together faculty and administrators from more than 25 institutions across the country to reflect on progress, share lessons learned and foster cross-campus community.

The agenda was constructed around stepping back from our local contexts and pressures to consider what historical, international, legal and narrative perspectives offer to guide institutional change work during this time — and how that work is inherently systemic, involving the national, campus and departmental levels. Keynote speakers and facilitators included Dr. Eddie R. Cole (UCLA), Dr. Daniela Veliz (Pontif. Universidad Católica de Chile), Art Coleman (EducationCounsel), and Simon Greenwold (StoryAs), who offered insight and inspiration.

Dr. Cole provided a powerful overview of how institutional leaders drove progress during the civil rights movement and overcame political barriers to equal educational opportunity. Dr. Veliz traveled from Chile to remind us that political repression is temporary and progress takes time; our agency and efforts in mentoring the next generation matter now more than ever. Mr. Coleman presented highly-anticipated guidance on how to be legally attentive as we sustain our efforts. These keynotes laid the framework for a substantive workshop session led by Mr. Greenwold who taught participants how to develop their storytelling skills as they document and persuade their work moving forward. These discussions underscored the importance of aligning practices with the values of equity and inclusion while adapting frameworks to diverse contexts and policies.  

In addition to meeting as a large group, attendees met in three tracks and as campus teams to take stock of progress to date and strategize around their goals for the year ahead. 

As the meeting concluded, participants expressed renewed energy and clarity about the Consortium’s vision of building capacity for systemic change. Inspired by the example of leaders from other times and places, attendees expressed intentions ranging from “staying flexible” to “avoid backsliding on my campus” and “keeping the faith.”  

EGE continues to serve as a hub that touches and develops the motivation and self-efficacy as leaders, through both peer support and subject-matter experts. This year’s gathering reminded everyone that progress is not always linear — but that it is always stronger in community — and especially with the gifts of space for intentional learning and reflection on actions taken so far.

We are grateful to Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for supporting the consortium’s work and making our annual convening possible!