October 27, 2025
Conversation of Understanding will feature ADEI Lifetime Achievement winners
A Conversation of Understanding kickoff for the 2025-2026 academic year on Wednesday, Oct. 29, will feature a live, virtual discussion with recent SIU System Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
“A Culture of Care in Action: Lessons from SIU’s Student Success Leaders” will begin at noon and will be available on the SIU System’s YouTube channel. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to join the discussion.
The featured speakers are:
- Father Joseph Brown, a 2023 award recipient, and professor and coordinator of SIU Carbondale’s Africana studies program and director of the School of Africana & Multicultural Studies.
- Earleen Patterson, a 2023 award recipient, and associate vice chancellor for student opportunities, equity, diversity and inclusion at SIU Edwardsville.
- Randy Burnside, a 2025 recipient, and director of the SIU School of Medicine’s Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP).
The speakers were selected “for their leadership in advancing student success and shaping a culture of care. Their perspectives and experiences will serve as an inspiration for our entire SIU community,” said Sheila Caldwell, SIU System vice president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and chief diversity officer, who will serve as moderator.
“Together, we will reflect on lessons learned, explore effective advising and student success practices, and discuss strategies to advance equity across our campuses,” Caldwell said.
A Q&A session will be from 1 to 1:30 p.m., during which the online audience can participate by using the YouTube comment section. Questions may be submitted before or during the event by email to doris.williams@siu.edu.
The SIU System President’s Office and the SIU System Diversity Advisory Council sponsor the Conversation of Understanding series, which began in June 2020.