NCORE to address issues of race and ethnicity in American higher education

NEW ORLEANS, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Race relations on college campuses, equity and access to higher education will be issues addressed at a national conference to be held May 28 to June 1 in New Orleans.

The National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) is the most comprehensive national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in American higher education. It serves as a vital national resource for higher education institutions, where more than 2,500 administrators, deans, faculty, students and anyone interested in race, social justice challenges and access in American higher education annually gather. NCORE provides a cutting-edge social justice forum that attracts a committed following representing campuses across the United States.

In its 26th year, NCORE focuses on the complex task of creating and sustaining comprehensive institutional change designed to improve racial and ethnic relations on campus and to expand opportunities for educational access and success by culturally diverse, traditionally underrepresented populations. It is hosted by the University of Oklahoma's College of Outreach, based in Norman, Okla.

"This year's conference promises to be one of the best, with leading experts scheduled to discuss current affairs and hard-hitting issues," said James P. Pappas, vice president of University Outreach at the University of Oklahoma. "With the conference returning to New Orleans, we'll have an opportunity to discuss issues specific to the South, including the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina."

Melissa Harris-Perry, political science professor at Tulane University and host of the MSNBC Melissa Harris-Perry Show, will be featured as a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 29. She will be discussing "Why teaching 'race' requires active pedagogy."

Additional noteworthy speakers include Oi Yan Poon, assistant professor of education at Loyola University Chicago; Sylvia Hurtado, graduate school of education and information studies professor and director of the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles; Joy Harjo, Muskogee (Creek) Nation poet, musician and author; Jean Quan, mayor of Oakland, Calif.; and Robert Jensen, professor of communication at The University of Texas.

Session topics range from the individual level: identity and awareness issues; the group level: equality and justice issues; and the macro level: access and success issues.

A panel discussion with New Orleans-area university presidents about how their institutions responded to the Katrina crisis will take place on Thursday, May 30 and will include Dr. Scott Cowen, Tulane University president; Dr. Norman Francis, Xavier University president; Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Dillard University president; Dr. Victor Ukpolo, Southern University president; and Dr. Kevin William Wildes, Loyola University president.

"The 2013 conference promises to bring unparalleled opportunities to connect with higher education officials who are leading change and real dialogue about race and ethnicity in America," said Belinda Biscoe, associate vice president of University Outreach at the University of Oklahoma.

This year's event will take place at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Participants will enjoy institutes, workshops, film screenings and special evening events. Early bird registration is $625 and is available until March 29. It covers all conference sessions and special events. Registration after March 31 is $725. Student registration is $425.

More information including registration, schedule, hotel, session list and exhibit information can be found at www.ncore.ou.edu.

About NCORE
The National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) was launched in 1988 by the University of Oklahoma Outreach to address the resurgence of racist incidents in higher education. NCORE aims to improve racial relations and access to higher education by diverse, underrepresented populations. More information can be found at www.ncore.ou.edu.

SOURCE NCORE