Diversity Dialogue Series Continues March 25, 2013 at Manhattan Center

by Cecil Harris

Students have an opportunity to speak candidly about social issues in a stimulating, nonjudgmental setting at the next meeting of the Diversity Dialogue Series at Adelphi University’s Manhattan Center on Monday, March 25, 2013.

“The Intersectionality of Race, Class and Gender,” presented by Godfrey Gregg, Ph.D., will be the topic for the one-hour event starting at 6:00 p.m. The moderator will be Laura Quiros, Ph.D., LMSW, assistant professor in the School of Social Work, who runs the series.

“I choose the topics, but I like to home in on the expertise of other faculty members,” Dr. Quiros said. “Dr. Gregg, a faculty member at Manhattan Center, will give a dynamic PowerPoint presentation on his experiences as a black man in America, and then students will have ample time to talk and ask questions.”

A Diversity Dialogues event generally takes place once every semester at both Manhattan Center and Garden City. In February, students at Garden City discussed the differences and similarities in working with LGBT and heterosexual couples.

“The students have the freedom to speak about topics that they cannot speak about in the classroom,” Dr. Quiros said. “The sense of openness really enhances the student experience for them.”

Topics discussed at previous Diversity Dialogues Series events include diversity in the African American community, diversity in the Latino community, second-generation students at Adelphi and community organizing. The last-named topic was of particular interest because President Barack Obama used to be a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side.

Faculty members are encouraged to bring their classes to Rooms 260 and 261 for Monday’s event, which promises to be a lively discussion on the intersections of race, class and gender and the implications for education, nursing and social work professionals, Dr. Quiros said.