Creating Inclusive Communities
Ashley Campbell ’09, ’10W (MS) Director of EDI Integration, Education, and Programming, Institutional Office of Equity and Inclusion
Jessica Guzmán-Rea ’10W (EdD), Assistant Dean for Diversity and Director of the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center
Anika Simone Johnson ’18W (EdD), Director of Equity and Inclusion, Warner School of Education

This interactive discussion will be focused on creating inclusive communities by developing new skills or refining existing skills as it pertains to inclusivity and community building. Participants will learn from equity, diversity, and inclusion practitioners who are University staff and alumnae. These wonderful women of color will share best practices, institutional knowledge, and will create space for group work and self-reflection to aide in an ever better volunteer experience, leading to real ways to implement inclusivity every day.

An Insiders’ Look into Admissions
Jason Nevinger, Director of Admissions, The College
Danielle Arnold, Assistant Director of Admissions, Eastman School of Music
Michelle Vogl, Director of MD Admissions, School of Medicine and Dentistry
Stefanie Attridge, Director of Admissions Analytics, Simon Business School

Gain a deeper understanding of how the School of Arts, Sciences & Engineering, Eastman School of Music, Simon Business School, and School of Medicine and Dentistry use recruitment initiatives to attract the best and brightest to the University of Rochester.

Create Fruitful Networking and Mentorship Experiences—Virtually
Sean Allen ’11S (MS), Gina Cuyler ’92M (MD), ’95M (Res), Abby Zabrodsky ’14, ’19S (MBA), Jonathan Meagher-Zayas ’13

The roots of networking have traditionally been focused on in-person experiences and interactions. Now, more than ever, virtual programs are more prevalent, but how has your networking adapted? Learn how to enhance your virtual presence and explore the impact that professional and mentorship relationships can still have over a screen.

Conflict Transformation
Gwen Olton ’04, Interim Director, M.K. Gandhi Institute

Explore the benefits of engaging productively with conflict and discuss strategies for having tough conversations that can lead to more understanding and transformation in our lives.

Being a Better Neighbor in Our Neighborhoods
Clayton Jones, Senior Director, Local Government and Community Relations

Learn how the University of Rochester is working with the community to foster positive University relations and promote mutual interests.

Be a Wellness Warrior
Susan Blaakman ’93N, ’96N (MS), ’00N (PMC), ’11N (PhD), P’22 Director, Family Psychiatric
Mental Health NP Program, Professor of Clinical Nursing

When it comes to health, it’s important to focus on our physical body while not overlooking our psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. In this interactive session, please join professor Susan Blaakman to discuss insights, strategies, and goals for maintaining well-being in a world that keeps asking for more. Together, we may find some surprises and a bit of joy, too.

Leading for Change through a Distributed Leadership Model: When theory met practice at East
Shaun Nelms ’04W (MS), ’13W (EdD), Associate Professor (Clinical), Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Superintendent East High EPO; William & Sheila Konar Director of the Center for Urban Education Success

Distributed leadership is a theoretical framework that examines how leadership and management should be distributed in complex organizations. Distributed leadership requires a shift from emphasizing the work of an individual leader to acknowledging and validating, as a collective, the work of multiple individuals within the organization. At East, we applied this framework and saw graduation rates soar from 29% to 86%, in 7 years.

Music & Medicine: Partners Improving the Health of Our Hospital Community
Gaelen McCormick ’92E, Program Manager of Eastman Performing Arts Medicine (EPAM)

In a partnership between Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester Medical Center, the healthcare environment is enriched by integrating music that calms, nurtures, and inspires for the well-being of our community.

Disagreement in a Democratic Society
David Primo, Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professor, Professor of Political Science and Business Administration

Focusing on the challenges of political disagreements in universities, the workplace, and society this session will cover key topics like political polarization, “cancel culture,” the tension between diversity and free inquiry and free speech, and strategies for addressing these challenges.

Eastman School of Music
Eastman is known for Kodak Hall, but have you experienced Hatch Recital Hall, viewed the Chihuly chandelier, or visited Sibley Music Library? Expand your appreciation for music and gain unique insights on this special guided tour.

Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)
Visit Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the largest university-based US Department of Energy program in the nation. The LLE is home to the OMEGA laser, the most powerful laser system found at any academic institution.

URMC Center for Orthopaedics and Physical Performance Tour
Paul Rubery, MD, Chair and Marjorie Strong Wehle Professor of Orthopaedics

Catch a shuttle and tour the new UR Medicine Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center. At 330,000 square feet, this project is the largest offsite building project in the University’s history and is the biggest, most complete orthopaedic facility in the Northeastern United States.

Behind the Scenes: Memorial Art Gallery
Jonathan Binstock, Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director, Memorial Art Gallery
Nile Blunt, McPherson Director of Academic Programs, Memorial Art Gallery

Go behind the scenes with Nile and Jonathan on this specially designed journey through more than 5,000 years of art history. From the relics of antiquity to works in the vanguard of contemporary practice, Memorial Art Gallery offers a panorama of the world’s art. Don’t miss Up Against the Wall: Art, Activism, and the AIDS Poster, a collaborative exhibit with Rush Rhees Library Rare Books and Special Collections.

Mt. Hope Cemetery Tour
Enjoy the beauty of one of Rochester’s most beloved attractions while learning University history on a guided tour of the University’s plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

5k Fun Run
Meet fellow volunteers to enjoy a view of campus on foot.

Public Market
Live like the locals and explore the bustling Saturday morning Rochester Public market—once voted #1 public market in the country. Shuttle departs the Hilton Garden Inn at 6:30 a.m.

Yoga on the Quad
Suitable for all levels, this yoga class will leave you relaxed and restored for the rest of the day.

Guided Meditation
Pooja Sinha ’03, ’05 (MBA)
Meditation Wellness

Pooja will ground attendees in the dynamics of the nervous system during meditation and lead a breath-based guided meditation practice.

Expanding Your Professional Story Through Life Design
Jodyi Wren, Interim Assistant Dean and Executive Director, Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections.

How do you describe yourself? Ever get stuck letting your occupation define you? Utilizing principles of Life Design, this session will guide you through an interactive mind mapping activity to help you cultivate a more complete life-story to share with others.

Cultivating Equitable Spaces-What do I know and need to know?
Tiffany Taylor Smith ’91, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, University of Dayton
Sasha Eloi-Evans ’05, ’17W (EdD), Associate Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Deputy Chief Diversity Officer, University of Rochester

Learn tangible skills to effectively serve as a diversity and inclusion ally, advocate, and accomplice. Through interactive activities, discover useful tips and practical knowledge to apply in personal and professional settings.

Perfect your Personal Elevator Pitch
Dan Troup ’86S (MBA), Jane Cohen ’67

What would you say if you only had 30 seconds to tell someone about yourself or something you’re passionate about? Discover your untapped skills as we demystify the art of “pitching.” Showcase how to use a pitch framework for job search, networking, or in your volunteer role representing the University of Rochester.

Mythbusters: The Real Deal About Charitable Giving
Nila Bragg ’88, Pranav Cherian ’23S, Gwen Greene ’65, John Pershing ’10

Whether a gift is $100 or $100,000, every charitable donation is meaningful and impactful. Join us for this highly interactive session to learn more about how our University network comes together through giving, which is critical to the future of the University of Rochester and its Medical Center. Alumni panelists and University leadership will share the inspirational stories of how contributions, regardless of size, are significant to the donor and the institution. Your personal perspective is valuable to this important discussion.

University of Rochester Medical Center Showcase
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is a vital resource that is making an impact in the Rochester community. Stop by this showcase to learn about the interactive tools and technology that aim make healthcare easy and accessible. You’ll get to meet RocDog therapy dogs, explore how healthcare is being deployed through pop-up clinics, learn about the latest technology that diagnoses and treats patients for a variety of illnesses, and how health screenings are becoming easier and more manageable to increase awareness and detectability of disease.

Tours begin at 12:30 p.m.

Rush Rhees Tower Tour
Jenny Arbelo
Director, Building and Technology Services

Take a tour of the beloved and mystical icon that is Rush Rhees Tower, centrally located on River Campus.

Tours begin at 2:45 p.m.

Athletics Facilities Tour
Join beloved athletics icon, Terry Gurnett, for a guided tour of the Goergen Athletic Center including the Palestra, Field House, Pool, and the Lyman Squash Center. Then, head over to the Prince Athletic Center to visit Fauver Stadium, Genesee Hall and the Boehning Varsity House, and the Baseball Stadium.

River Campus Tour: Hidden Gems
Evan Coleman ’23 and Celia Konowe ’21, ’22 (T5)

Think you know all the “hot spots” on campus? Think again! This tour goes beyond the common buildings and spaces to showcase the hidden gems you didn’t know were there. Student Alumni Ambassadors will be your guides to the places that students have come to know and love. From new buildings to hidden study spots, this tour is ideal for alumni who want to venture beyond the standard visit to really see it all!

Rare Books and Special Collections Tour
Jessica Lacher Feldman, Exhibits and Special Projects Manager
Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation (RBSCP)
View the current exhibition, Ephemera: Minor Transient Documents of Everyday Life, with exhibit curator Jessica Lacher-Feldman. Tour goers will also view some fascinating ephemera from some of the most well-known figures in Rochester history from the collections, including Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, and share a few of the stories behind these objects.

Studio X Tour
Meaghan Moody Stalnaker
Immersive Technologies Librarian + Student

Tour the University of Rochester’s new hub for immersive technologies, try on a headset, and learn about how augmented and virtual reality are changing research, education, and the future of work.

iZone Tour
Zoe Wisbey
Program Manager, Barbara J. Burger iZone

Explore this problem-solving space, program, and community designed to empower patrons to explore and imagine ideas for social, cultural, community, and economic impact.

2:45–3:45 p.m.
Black Alumni Network Celebration—Being Black on Campus Today
Leaders of the Black Alumni Network and guests will walk throughout campus, visiting and discussing the progress of the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) and the Douglass Leadership House (DLH). Visitors will learn about the current experiences of Black students on campus as well as learn about DLH’s renovation plans and 10th-anniversary celebrations. The speakers will be Mary Méndez Rizzo, Assistant Director of Student Engagement in OMSA, and student representatives of DLH. The tour will end with light refreshments in the DLH Common Room.

2:45–3:45 p.m.
Women’s Network Celebration
Join fellow Women’s Network members to connect, network, and celebrate the power of women’s connections. Get inspired on this walk as you listen to the incredible stories of some of Rochester’s most iconic and resilient women. Following the tour, honor the Women’s Network achievements with a reception and champagne toast.