Conference Schedule

Conference Registration, Check-In and Reception          (Tivoli 440)

Panel Discussion:  Emerging Issues and Compliance with the Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  (PE Events Center Lobby)

Panel Members: Dusti Gurule, Regional Representative for Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, Marzette (Marzy) Bedford-Billinghurst, Program Analyst, Women’s Bureau, Nicole A. Huggins, Denver District Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Patricia McMahon, Program Manager-Outreach & Technical Assistance, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission- Denver Field Office (EEOC), Panelist TBD, U.S Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Recruitment and Retention: Outreach, Engagement and Managing a Diverse Workforce

One of the key components of an entity’s employment equity program is the improvement of the workforce climate for women and non-whites.  The quality of life for professional employees improves when administrators and supervisors understand their employment equity-related responsibilities, and routinely use management practices that include impartial, ethical, and civil rights compliance ingredients for an effective utilization of a diverse workforce.   Lynne Eisaguirre, the session leader, will discuss the key ingredients of managing a diverse workforce:  outreach, non-traditional recruitment, and retention of personnel representing diverse and multi-cultural backgrounds.  

Presenter:  Lynne Eisaguirre, Author and Professional Speaker   (PE Events Center Room 207)

Prevention, Investigation and Resolution for Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace

Grievances and charges of discrimination often result as organizations enhance diversity within their workforces by including workers who represent value systems and cultures that differ from policies, procedures and practices that are common in the American workplace.   However, there are steps, through training and education, that can minimize the number of grievances and charges of discrimination that are filed.  Resolving complaints internally and at the lowest possible level is desirable for both the organization and the complainant.  During this session, Barry Gomberg, Esq., will discuss how an effective affirmative action program can ensure that such charges are non-meritorious, and minimize risk of litigation. 

Presenter:  Dr. Barry Gomberg, Director of AA/EO at Weber State University, Ogden, UT   (PE Events Center Room 208)

Partnerships in Industry and Higher Education – Preparation for a Highly Qualified and Diverse Workforce

Despite unprecedented opportunities for talented women and persons of color, disparities continue within select racial and ethnic group communities.  Participants in this session will explore the partnership of industry and higher education as the toolbox needed to prepare for a highly qualified and diverse workforce, and to access needed resources for disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups for the move up in the socio-economic ladder. This breakout session will discuss how affirmative action and diversity practitioners can gain better understanding of the external factors that sustain disparate resources among American racial and ethnic groups.

Presenter: TBD   (PE Events Center Room 207)

Workplace Violence 

This breakout session will provide participants with a roadmap to identifying, assessing and defusing attack related behaviors and violence in various workplaces; including those linked with bullying and other forms of harassment. Discussion leader Dr. John Nicoletti, a Clinical/Police Psychologist who specializes in such behaviors in various workplaces, campuses and schools, will also offer guidance on conducting direct and indirect risk assessments.

Presenter: Dr. John Nicoletti, Clinical and Police Psychologist (PE Events Center Room 208)

The Future of the American Association of Affirmative Action 

This session will provide for interactive discussions with the participants the following questions raised by Scott Jaschik to James P. Sterba  regarding his new book “Affirmative Action for the Future “.

• How do you define affirmative action today?
• How vulnerable is affirmative action in higher education today?
• What is "outreach," "remedial" and "diversity" affirmative action?
• Which are more important the moral arguments or the legal arguments for affirmative action?
• How is the success of some Asian American groups in higher education changing the debates on affirmative action?
• Do you think opponents of affirmative action can be convinced to change their views?
• Why is affirmative action important today?

   Presenters: TBA (PE Events Center Lobby)     

Networking Reception (PE Events Center Lobby) 

Panel Discussion – “Affirmative Action and Diversity Specialist: The “Town” is Big Enough for Both of Us. Defining Roles and Identifying Opportunities to Advance Diversity and Inclusive Excellence in Your Organization.  

Panel members: Dr. Fernando Guzman, Guzman Consulting, Dr. Percy Morehouse, Executive Director Equal Opportunity, Metro State College of Denver, Dr. Myron Anderson, Associate to the President for Diversity, Metro State College of Denver, Jackie Baldyga, Senior Vice President, The Kaliedoscope Group, LLC., Dr. Claire Damken Brown, founder and president of Damken Brown and Associates, Inc.,  and Carol A. Nichols, Senior EEO and Employee Relations, Xcel Energy.  (Tivoli 440)

10:00 – 10:30 am