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Wednesday, February 19th, 10am – 11:30am: Decolonizing the Workplace for Organizational Wellness
Intersectional wellness views wellness not as a luxury- but as a human right, because when individuals are well, so are their communities. Intersectional wellness is a framework for living, being, and dreaming outside of the system of grind culture – a web of systemic oppression that negatively impacts the spiritual, mental, and physical wellness of people of all of humanity, but has a larger impact on marginalized communities.
Intersectional wellness incorporates wellness for the whole by particularly supporting marginalized groups with accessing greater access to health and wellness services in order to heal from systemic oppression. It reimagines justice as a pathway toward promoting rest, reflection, healing, and joy for vibrant and diverse communities.
Reframing the future of work by centering healing and wellness is a reclamation of traditionally marginalized student and staff voices within the field of academia in order to promote an overall culture of wellness for the entire educational ecosystem.
Questions to be explored in this keynote include:
- How have standard work practices been traditionally centered around colonization, grind culture, and toxic productivity?
- What is intersectional wellness and how might it usher in manageable and scaffolded tools and strategies for decolonizing the workplace?
- How can academic administrators promote a culture of wellness by prioritizing their personal healing and well-being?
Heather Amunet Archer is an author, workplace wellness coach, and sound healer who promotes a culture of wellness across individuals, communities, and institutions. Heather has spoken with over 20,000 professionals about incorporating wellness tools to thrive at work by intersecting diversity equity and inclusion as well as workplace wellness tools, sound healing, mindfulness and art therapy.
She has worked with clients ranging from HR professionals, entrepreneurs, top executives, college students, and stay-at-home moms to support them on their wellness practice and mindful and intentional living. She has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s degree from New York University.
Heather is a published author and has been featured in Yoga Journal, Hierophant Publishing, The Shift Network, Yoga Alliance, and has spoken alongside of thought leaders such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Deepak Chopra, adrienne maree brown, and Shawn Ginwright.
Thursday, February 20, 9:00am – 10:15am –Standing in the Gap: Bridging the AI Digital Divide Via Strong Leadership
In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our world, how do we ensure that progress aligns with the principles of equity, ethics, and social justice? Drawing from personal experiences of overcoming the digital divide and professional expertise in research and open access advocacy, Trudi Radtke will illuminate how community college leaders can navigate AI’s transformative potential. Join us as we employ a dose of healthy skepticism counterbalanced with curiosity to review AIs claims versus outcomes and determine how to ethically, equitably, and effectively discuss and deploy AI in higher education.
Trudi Radtke (they/them)
Trudi Radtke is a visionary
leader in education technology, open access advocacy, and AI integration, with over a decade of impact on California’s community colleges. As an OER specialist, Trudi has spearheaded the creation, remixing, and revision of over 100 open textbooks, significantly reducing barriers to education for students statewide and beyond.
Their advocacy extends to state, federal, and international levels, including crafting policy briefs for U.S. Congress and driving systemic change through equitable access policies. A research fellow for the California Alliance for Open Education and a speaker at national and global conferences, including OE Global, Trudi combines expertise in open educational resources, instructional design, and emerging AI technologies.
Currently leading the AI initiative for the Ventura County Community College District and serving on the Instructional Technology Council’s AI task force, Trudi’s work is reshaping how technology empowers inclusive, impactful learning environments. Their commitment to equity, accessibility, and innovation reflects both their professional achievements and personal journey as a first-generation college graduate and former community college student.
Friday, February 21, 9:45am – 10:45am – Fashion as Resistance: Exploring Queer and Trans Body Euphoria
Fashion as Resistance is an immersive keynote that delves into the intersection of fashion, identity, and empowerment for queer and trans individuals. This keynote examines the intricate relationship between fashion and the expression of bodily autonomy, self-authorship, and body euphoria within the queer and trans community. Through a series of interactive visuals, participants will discover the historical and contemporary significance of fashion as a tool for resistance, self-expression, and reclaiming agency over one’s body. The keynote utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating critical analysis, personal narratives, and creative expression to foster a holistic understanding of the powerful role that fashion plays in the lives of queer and trans individuals.
Dr. Van Bailey is an award-winning educator and trailblazer. Their speeches, content and workshops relate to LGBTQ+ visibility, mental health, youth advocacy, and intersectionality. They have experience overseeing offices that address implicit bias, LGBTQ+ equity, and diversity and inclusion. Dr. Bailey was listed in the Out 100 and Business Equality Magazine’s 40 under 40. Additionally, they have been featured in BuzzFeed, the Grio, DapperQ, Out Magazine, ASOS, Hushpuppies, NBC, USA Today, NPR, iHeartRadio, and the Boston Globe.
They are a mental health advocate and are looking to carve out more spaces for queer and trans people to thrive in the world. Dr. Bailey holds a BA from Denison University in English and Black Studies, a MA from the Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University – Northridge.
