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JWI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Series: Work Together Wednesdays - Session 3: The Conversation

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In this current moment it is critical that we give our energy, time and attention to fighting for racial justice. Please join JWI for a diversity, equity and inclusion education series from consultants Christina Parle and Suzette Walden Cole, Ph.D. This highly engaging and actionable series will cover topics including implicit bias, language, how to have difficult conversations, and steps we can all take moving forward. Training will include large group conversations, small group activities, and individual self-reflection. 

This is the third of a four-part series launching on Wednesday, August 5th at 8:00 p.m ET/5:00 p.m. PT with additional sessions following every other week on August 19th, September 2nd, and September 16th (all at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.) To make this training as meaningful and beneficial as possible for everyone, we’re asking that you only register if you can commit to all four sessions. If you would like to be part of this series but can’t make one of these dates live, we will provide a recording that must be watched before the next session. We anticipate that these conversations will last between 60 and 75 minutes each. There are limited spots available.

If you are interested in attending this training, please register for all four sessions here.


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Christina Parle, M.S. | Consultant

Christina Parle’s true passion is in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. She is a trained National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) facilitator, and much of her conduct and fraternity work has included conflict resolution and effective communication. Christina's particular interest is on language and its impacts on humans. Christina designs and facilitates diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum for collegians, volunteers, and staff.

Christina is a Kansas City, Missouri native. She currently serves as the Director of Chapter Services and Conduct for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Inc. (ZBT). Prior to her work at ZBT, Christina served as the Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Kansas (KU) where she served as the Student Housing liaison and then transitioned to a focus on student organization misconduct. Before KU, she served as a Fraternity and Sorority Advisor at Western Carolina University where she advised the Panhellenic, Interfraternity, and National Pan-Hellenic Councils.

Christina earned her bachelor’s in criminal justice and political science at the University of Central Missouri where she was initiated into the Delta Eta chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Christina then attended Penn State where she earned her master’s in higher education with an emphasis in student affairs. While at Penn State, she completed a graduate assistantship in student conduct and served as the interim primary advisor for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) for a semester.

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Suzette Walden Cole, Ph.D. | Consultant

Suzette received her Doctor of Philosophy in the Education Administration and Foundations at Illinois State University, studying the factors that contribute to the development of culture in student groups and effective strategies for cultivating change within student groups. Dr. Walden Cole is a certified conflict resolution specializing in restorative justice and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. She designed curriculum related to cultivating and leading in diverse and inclusive ways for two (2) global companies and facilitated across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Dr. Walden Cole designed & facilitated curriculum related to exploring identity, inclusive practices, and cultural competency for three (3) National Panhellenic Conference member groups.

Prior transitioning to the role of full-time consultant, Suzette worked for ten years at Illinois State University in Normal, IL, as the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. She is a co-creator and founding partner for the Cross-Cultural Fraternal Advising Initiative focused on addressing the needs of culturally-based fraternal organizations and diversity, equity, and inclusion within fraternal organizations. Dr. Walden Cole also served as a featured speaker with the Cecilyn B. Miller Institute’s National Student Leadership Diversity Convention and United Collegiate Women’s Leadership Conference.

Suzette also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in English and Communication from Mercer University, and a Master of Education in College Student Personnel Administration with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. In addition to her professional work, she served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and is a volunteer with the Association for Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.