In this episode of The Kindness Code, Dr. Mitchell Chang discusses the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education. He shares his personal journey as an immigrant and how it shaped his understanding of identity and belonging. Dr. Chang emphasizes that diversity enriches learning experiences but requires intentional actions from educational institutions to maximize its benefits. He advocates for systemic changes in faculty recruitment and encourages students to engage in DEI initiatives with a spirit of kindness and collaboration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion in Education

06:19 Personal Journey and the Importance of Authenticity

09:41 Research Insights on Diversity's Impact

12:30 Advocating for DEI on Campus

About Dr. Mitchell Chang:

Mitchell J. Chang is Professor of Education and Asian American Studies (by courtesy) at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been on the faculty at UCLA since 1999 and in 2023, was appointed Interim Vice Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion after having previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor.

Chang's research focuses on the educational efficacy of diversity-related initiatives on college campuses and how to apply those best practices toward enhancing student learning and advancing higher education’s public mission. He has written over one hundred publications, some of which were cited in U.S. Supreme Court rulings involving the use of race sensitive admissions practices. In 2001, Chang received a National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship and in 2006, he was profiled as one of the nation’s top ten scholars by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. He has served in elected positions for both the American Educational Research Association (At-Large Member of AERA Executive Council & Division J), which inducted him as a Fellow in 2016, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (Board of Directors), which awarded him the Founder’s Service Award in 2014 and the Research Achievement Award in 2020. He has been listed in Education Week as one of the top 200 scholars whose work not only influences academic research and scholarship, but that also engages and impacts the nation’s public conversation about education. Chang has also served on many national advisory panels, including for the U.S. Department of Education, White House Domestic Policy Council, National Science Foundation, Spencer Foundation, National Institute of Health, and College Board. From 2018-2022, he served as the Editor in Chief for The Journal of Higher Education and was also an expert witness on Students for Fair Admissions vs. University of North Carolina.

Dr. Chang's podcast: Inclusive Excellence

Dr. Chang's page: https://seis.ucla.edu/faculty/mitchell-chang/

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In this episode of The Kindness Code, we put on our detective hats and dive into the world of emotions! Through fun, relatable scenarios, we become Emotions Detectives, solving emotional mysteries and learning how to recognize and understand different feelings. Join me, Adorlee, as we explore the ups and downs of emotions like nervousness, joy, frustration, and more. Ready to crack the emotional code? Let’s solve these cases together!

[00:00] Introduction to Emotions Detective

[00:45] Scenario 1: The Nervous New Kid

[01:30] Scenario 2: The Birthday Surprise

[02:15] Scenario 3: The Missing Homework

[03:00] Scenario 4: The Winning Goal

[03:45] Scenario 5: The Best Friend Argument

[04:20] Closing and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Kindness Code, host Adorlee interviews Dr. Stanton Wortham, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, about the importance of inclusivity in education. Dr. Wortham discusses how cultural and linguistic backgrounds influence student interactions and learning. He emphasizes the need for educators to understand these differences to create supportive environments. The conversation also explores the role of technology in facilitating learning and the importance of asking interpretive questions in education. Dr. Wortham shares practical advice for fostering inclusion among students and highlights the collective responsibility in creating equitable educational spaces.

About Dr. Stanton Wortham:

Stanton Wortham is the Charles F. Donovan, S.J., Dean at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Wortham is an expert in identity, language, and social interaction, studying how educational and cultural contexts shape individuals and communities. He has led numerous initiatives to foster equity and inclusion in education, working to create learning environments that support diverse student populations. His academic work spans topics like narrative theory, discourse analysis, and how media influences education, providing educators with critical tools to create inclusive spaces. Dr. Wortham is recognized for his leadership in education and his commitment to promoting equitable practices that benefit all learners.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Education

01:28 Understanding Cultural Expectations in Education

04:21 Real-Life Examples of Inclusion

06:51 The Role of Technology in Learning

08:37 Building a Dream School

12:13 The Importance of Contestable Questions

14:01 Advice for Kids and Teens on Inclusion

#Upenn #LynchSchoolOf Education #PennGSE

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