Winona State University will host Leon Rodrigues, chief diversity officer for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), in an open forum for students, administrators, faculty and staff titled “A Vision of Diversity in the MnSCU System” at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, in the Student Activity Center in Kryzsko Commons.
The presentation will focus on WSU as a multicultural institution, and the need to prepare students with skills to engage and function in an inclusively diverse, successful society. Rodrigues will discuss Inclusive Excellence, a new paradigm in higher education institutions that focuses on implementation of philosophies and practices that encourage diversity on campus.
MnSCU is the most diverse higher education system in the state, reflecting the aspirations and needs of every community it serves. Rodrigues was named MnSCU’s chief diversity officer in January 2014. He previously served as chief diversity officer, special assistant to the president, associate professor, and associate dean for Diversity and Community at Bethel University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Cape in South Africa, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota. In his role as chief diversity officer, Rodrigues is responsible for managing and coordinating the policies, procedures and programs that govern affirmative action, diversity and equal opportunity for the MnSCU system.
This event is sponsored by Winona State University Inclusion and Diversity Office, Southeast Technical College and KEAP Diversity Resource Center.
For more information, contact Alexander Hines, Director of Inclusion and Diversity, at AHines@winona.edu.
