Butler Center to hold first conversation on social justice in higher education on Feb. 16

The Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence is inviting faculty, staff and students to its "Courageous Conversations: Social Justice in Higher Education, Part 1" virtual discussion at noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 16.

The topic stems from the center’s belief that social justice is about fair and just relations between an individual and society as measured by the distribution of wealth and social privileges. Although the concept of social justice has been an integral part of scholarly work, it has become increasingly prominent in the more recent protests for racial justice. Yet it is a topic that many on this campus as well as other schools have found hard to converse about.

This discussion is intended as an opportunity for everyone on campus to engage in courageous conversations involving gaining some knowledge and broadening perspective on the topic as well as establishing trust to explore a deeper potential for moving forward.

The speakers for this session are:

• Megha Anwer, clinical assistant professor and director of diversity inclusion and equity, Honors College.
• Levon Esters, professor, Department of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication.
• Meara Habashi, clinical associate professor and director, Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Management, Krannert School of Management.
• Donna Riley, professor and the Kamyar Haghighi Head of the School of Engineering Education.
• Alberto Rodriguez, professor and the Mary Endres Chair in Elementary Education.
• Audrey Ruple, assistant professor of One Health Epidemiology and chair, Purdue University Senate Equity and Diversity Committee.
• Greg Shaver, professor, School of Mechanical Engineering.

Registration is required and should be completed online. For more information, contact butlercenter@purdue.edu.

The second part of "Courageous Conversations: Social Justice in Higher Education" will be at noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 23.