On February 8, 2022, Jill Manuel presented with the Southern Association of College Registrar's and Admissions Officers at their annual conference. She presented on the following topics:
Accessing Equitable Practices in Professional Development Among Staff & Leadership - Co Presenter along with Roberta Nelson, George Mason University
How do we incorporate practices of inclusion and equity in our everyday office practices? With an increased focus on diversification of hiring practices, as well as in ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in admission policies, do we then translate those practices to how we interact with colleagues and staff? In this presentation, we will address the benefits of ensuring equitable distribution of professional development resources and funding to incorporate staff and mid-level management, as well as how stakeholders can be more actively involved in, and take ownership over, their own growth and development.
Under Identified and Underserved: Students from Domestically Unstable Homes and the Response of Higher Education - Presenter - Jill Manuel
Existing Higher Education practices are fragmented, isolating, and confusing to students. By isolating students to single demographics, or situational categories, by race, gender, sexual orientation, educational attainment, etc, we diminish the lived experience of all students. Current Higher Education research also often excludes students from unstable domestic environments, with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or potentially traumatic childhood events, who face barriers beyond those we currently address. The effects of abuse and trauma experienced in the lives of students before they arrive on our campuses can no longer be ignored. As the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences increase, so too does the risk for long-term negative effects on learning, behavior, and health impacting college campus as a whole. This frank discussion will explore this student demographic, existing student services practices, and how we can improve our practice of inclusivity to include this under-identified and underrepresented population.
Jill Manuel is a graduate admissions specialist with the George Mason University Office of Graduate Admissions. She has been the Co-Chair for the Topics in Higher Education Committee for SACRAO since 2020 and even participated as a panelist at SACRAO's 2021 conference on a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Courageous Allies presentation. Additionally, Manuel has presented the above Under Identified and Underserved: Students from Domestically Unstable Homes and the Response of Higher Education during Mason's Admissions Professional Development Day.