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💫 What I've Learned This Week in LXD: Inclusivity Edition • the importance of inclusive design and actively dismantling the barriers to inclusion • the design lenses that focus on addressing inequality, recognizing power and privilege, and acknowledging how individuals vary • realizing that learner variability is a given and using this to guide your creative process from the beginning I saw an interview with Reginé Gilbert, a James Weldon Johnson Professor at New York University, discussing the importance of inclusive design and why it often gets overlooked. ...and, of course, so much more! I'm learning so much from this industry so far.

"Y'all Play Too Much!" — Actually, maybe we don't play enough! I'm beyond excited to welcome Dr. Kareem Edouard, a pioneering voice in cultural inclusion and STEM innovation, to our next Grow Your Moxie Speaker Series on December 20th. If you're curious about how play shapes workplace culture (and trust me, it does!), this conversation is going to blow your mind. Dr. Edouard isn't just any expert — he's the Creative Producer behind PBSKids's "Work It Out Wombats!" and has transformed how major media organizations approach cultural authenticity. Jamie Woolf and I can't wait to explore with him: 🎯 The fascinating ways different cultures view work and play. 🎯 The journey from creative concept to real-world impact in the media space. 🎯 The hidden connections between cultural norms and work dynamics for a more inclusive and engaging environment. Join us for what promises to be an energizing conversation about reimagining workplace dynamics through the lens of play and cultural practices. Y'all Play Too Much: The Intersection of Work, Play, and Cultural Practices 📅 Friday, December 20, 2024 ⏰ 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern 💡 Early bird tickets ($79) are available until December 16th. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gDyKgbTa Seats are limited for this one, folks — and trust me, you won't want to miss it! See you there! 🙌 #GrowYourMoxie #WorkplaceCulture #Innovation #CreativityPartners #Leadership

This article magnifies all the reasons it’s important to have diverse teams. As the world evolves status quo is not what will make your service or product stand out. It’s essential to have multiple perspectives on teams and neurodiverse individuals provide that. Leaders need to understand how to leverage neurodiverse strengths for this to be possible.

💫 Blazing new trails means thinking differently. To thrive, institutions of all types need to challenge norms, leave the status quo in the past and flip the tables on convention. Here are a few ways we thought through a project or process differently this year: 🚘 Reimagining parking garages not just as functional necessities but as dynamic pieces of social infrastructure that can enhance the arrival to destination journey and create engaging social experiences. 🏀 The transformation of collegiate sports thanks to new legislation, evolving NCAA rules, athletic conference shake-ups, new investments, financial opportunities for student-athletes and more. 💻 How a changing higher education landscape is rife with opportunity to rethink the way we design campus spaces, and the behaviors they influence, to deliver the value students, educators and institutions expect.  These big ideas are part of our Big Rethink Ambition. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gh32pt3Y 

⏰ Let's Talk DEI. I'll be the controversial voice for those who are afraid to voice this important topic in the climate we're in today. Here in Texas, the words "diversity" "inclusion", "culture", and other similar terms have been eliminated everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms. ❗ AND THAT'S NOT OKAY. ❗ There's a HUGE misconception that DEI is meant to cause a divide and only affects marginalized populations, when in fact it's deeper. After spending the last 15+ years in communications, I've assessed how the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives can significantly impact school communications: 📣 Loss of Diverse Perspectives: DEI programs often encourage diverse voices and perspectives within educational institutions. Without these initiatives, there may be a lack of representation and understanding of the needs and experiences of various groups, leading to potential blind spots in strategies. 📣Impact on Culture and Climate: DEI efforts contribute to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for all. The absence of such initiatives may result in a less supportive culture, affecting how individuals engage with school communications and perceive the institution. 📣Communication Tone and Content: DEI programs often influence the language, tone, and content of school communications to ensure they are inclusive and respectful of diverse identities and backgrounds. Without these guidelines, communications may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes or exclude certain groups, leading to misunderstandings or alienation. 📣Handling Sensitive Issues: DEI initiatives provide frameworks for addressing sensitive topics such as discrimination, bias, and inequality. Without these structures in place, schools may struggle to effectively communicate about such issues, potentially exacerbating tensions or conflicts within the community. 📣Stakeholder Relationship: DEI efforts can strengthen relationships with various stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, and the broader community, by demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusion. The elimination of these initiatives can erode trust and confidence in the school's leadership and communication practices. Overall, the elimination of DEI initiatives can have far-reaching implications for school communications, affecting the culture, inclusivity, and effectiveness of messaging within educational institutions. This isn't about separation. It's about unification and understanding everyone's cultural contributions to the world we live in. 🔋 #Communications #DEI #SchoolCommunications #StrategicCommunications #Culture #Consulting #OpenToWork #Landscape

University of Michigan-Dearborn's new approach to DEI, Holistic Excellence, was featured in the highly regarded magazine Insight Into Diversity. "Recognizing the critical role of belonging, the UM-Dearborn is breaking the mold for how colleges cultivate connected communities. Moving beyond traditional methods like student clubs and affinity groups, the university is pioneering new strategies that prioritize connection and inclusion across campus.  At the heart of these efforts is the newly established Office of Holistic Excellence (OHE), which uses storytelling as a powerful tool to foster understanding and connection. OHE has redefined DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) as a dynamic and immersive series of initiatives. Rather than focusing solely on race, ethnicity, or culture, the office expands these conversations to include diversity of thought, marginalized perspectives, and bias awareness."

So many learners around the country lack clarity on what post-high school pathway is right for them. 💭🤔 This is especially true for historically underserved and underestimated students. But free, tech-enabled solutions can bridge the information gap! 📲🧠 These tools have the power to scale equitable access to vital #careerreadiness resources, offering kids nationwide the chance to explore, experiment, and find their future path with confidence. As the #SXSWEDU #PanelPicker voting period commences, I ask that you please vote for this panel session to make it onto the stage at SXSW EDU 2025! If selected, I'll be moderating this discussion alongside some of the top innovators in the space: Brooke McKean from REACH Pathways/Chicago Scholars; Brandon Nicholson from The Hidden Genius Project; and Steve Grubbs from VictoryXR. 💡 Vote for this session right here ➡ https://lnkd.in/egGs479f *And*, I invite you to explore and vote for programming submissions from some of my colleagues at American Student Assistance, which are all listed here ➡ https://lnkd.in/e6NxkzCR

Clear Vision for a Better Future – Education Starts with Good Vision On International Day of Education 2025, we want to highlight the vital role that good vision plays in education – and how we contribute to creating equal opportunities with the OneDollarGlasses initiative. Why is good vision so important? Children with poor vision often struggle to follow lessons – missing out on content and falling short of their potential. Teachers, who depend on clear vision, cannot teach effectively or fully support their students without it. With the OneDollarGlasses, we make good vision accessible for everyone – especially for children in public schools who would otherwise have no way to obtain glasses. Free Glasses for Schoolchildren: Through projects like the GoodVision School, we distribute glasses directly to students. This service is completely free for children and their families. On-Site Vision Tests: Specially trained professionals conduct vision tests at schools and fit glasses on the spot – tailored, hassle-free, and efficient. Awareness Campaigns: We educate students and parents about the importance of good vision, fostering long-term awareness and understanding. Why This Matters: The OneDollarGlasses initiative is more than just providing glasses – it’s a gateway to education, development, and a brighter future. A child with good vision achieves better grades, gains more self-confidence, and has greater opportunities to pursue their dreams. Together, we can ensure that no child misses out on education because of vision problems. Learn more about our work and how you can help: ➡️ GoodVision School – Clear Vision for a Better Tomorrow https://lnkd.in/dBhfBe5f #InternationalDayOfEducation #EducationForAll #OneDollarGlasses #GoodVision #EqualOpportunities #GoodVisionSchool #VisionAidsChangeLives #BetterFuture

"Partnering with JOMO helped us fast-forward this priority by 5 years." Those are words from Laurie Fritsarech, assistant director of Hokie Wellness at Virginia Tech University, which became the world’s first Digitally Well University. Fritsch and her team had been making important, but incremental progress with digital wellness workshops and programming. However, as she put it, “At [the rate we were going], we would have maybe reached 3% of the student population. What we needed was a campus-wide campaign." That’s where JOMO came in, with a comprehensive 4-week strategy that included weekly challenges, email prompts, recaps and eye-catching advertisements across residence halls, dining areas, and common spaces, encouraging students to put their phones away and be more present. As a result, close to 74% of Virginia Tech students made a change in their digital habits. More on the JOMO impact:

It's been a little over a month since I attended SXSW EDU 2024, but the themes repeated across conference halls and in the undercurrent of passing conversations couldn't feel more relevant today as our team at Rêve Consulting continues to support our education partners in dismantling the racial equity gaps and employment disparities that persist in our backyard. These themes represent the modern reality of education and will continue to shift how we design for and equip our young people to succeed in the future: 1. Practicing empathy is more important than ever as inclusive education is under attack. 2. The runway for Career-Connected Learning is extending to early childhood education, but a disconnect persists between policy and student impact. 3. The social capital advantage is top of mind but remains difficult to execute authentically and measure effectively. 4. Interviewing youth to understand their lived experience has become table stakes. Inviting youth to sit at the table to design solutions is beginning to disrupt traditional power dynamics for the better. https://lnkd.in/g8Si3y-9