APLU Special Events

Celebrating our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness

APLU regularly brings the public university community and others together to celebrate the diversity of cultures, heritages and identities of its leaders, faculty, and students. These forums provide an opportunity to listen and learn from different backgrounds and experiences, explore challenges, and look ahead for ways to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive public higher education community and society overall.

Presidents on Presidents: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

March 2023

In celebration of Women’s History Month, APLU invited President Joan Gabel, University of Minnesota, and Chancellor Cindy Larive, University of California Santa Cruz for a conversation centered on this year’s theme of “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Listen as two influential leaders of APLU member institutions discuss their journeys to university leadership, the challenges and successes of leading a large public research institution, the importance of mentorship, and share wise words of advice to current and future leaders of public universities.

Black Resistance: Leadership in Academe

February 2022

On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, APLU hosted a webinar entitled “Black Resistance: Leadership in the Academe” in celebration of Black History Month. The event featured Black leaders who have paved the way for others and provide an opportunity to hear from four public university leaders. Speakers discussed the need for the higher education community to take steps to expand the number of Black higher ed leaders.

---

Celebrating the Strength of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and Rising HSIs in Support of Latino Students

October 2022

On Thursday, October 13, 2022, APLU hosted a special webinar in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Leaders in the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) community highlighted the strength of HSIs and rising HSIs in supporting Latino students. They discussed leveraging funding and resources for current and future Latino students, defining student success to be more inclusive of graduate Latino students, exploring the role of partners in accelerating access, support and change for Latino students, and more.

---

Mental Health Summit

May 2022

It is no secret that the state of our student’s mental health has been a rising concern for campus administrators for the last decade. Indeed, the COVID pandemic has only exacerbated these concerns. In response to this trend and feedback from our membership, APLU hosted its first-ever virtual Mental Health Summit to specifically address these issues in May 2022.

---

Advancing HBCU Student Success in Science: A Black History Month Celebration

February 2022

APLU celebrated Black History Month with a panel of experts from HBCUs that explored the pivotal role of HBCUs in advancing student success and tackling challenges through pathbreaking research. The panel also discussed how to support HBCUs as they work to increase research capacity, expand partnerships with other institutions, and grow African American science talent.

---

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

October 2021

Three leaders at public Hispanic Serving Institutions share their perspectives on the value and importance of HSIs in educating today and tomorrow’s learners. The HSI leaders detail how their university is intentionally celebrating and leveraging their HSI identity and creating supportive environments for their Latino faculty, staff, and students.

---

Celebrating Pride Month

June 2021

A diverse panel of LGBTQ+ public university leaders reflected on their own journeys in higher education, described challenges they’ve faced and explored the role of allies in affirming their identity. The conversation also explored the role of inclusive programming, messaging, and visibility on campus and how that impacts the experience of LGTBTQ+ students, faculty and staff.

---

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 2021

Five public university leaders discussed their own personal and professional journeys to celebrate #AAPIHeritageMonth. They discussed the important role Asian American and Pacific Islander students, faculty, and staff play on campus and in their communities as well as how university leadership can best support them while recognizing and honoring the diverse composition of the community. The conversation also explored the troubling increase in verbal attacks and physical violence against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, including how campuses are working to raise awareness and ensure the safety of the AAPI community while fostering an inclusive environment.

---

Cultivating Climate Resiliency: How North American Public Universities Are Addressing Climate Change

April 2021: Earth Day Webinar

APLU’s North American member universities have a key role to play in helping to address the real threats that climate change presents. APLU hosted this special Earth Day webinar on the role of public and land-grant universities in addressing the relationship between agriculture and climate change. Panelists also explored how climate change effects vulnerable populations and impacts social issues.

---

Celebrating Women Leaders in STEM: Sharing Insights, Experiences and Pathways for the Future

March 2021: Women’s History Month Webinar

APLU hosted a webinar in celebration of Women’s History Month featuring a panel of women leaders advancing inclusion in STEM. During the event, we heard from each speaker on their personal journey as a woman who has either navigated STEM careers in the academy, or has led the way in creating opportunities for women in STEM at their institutions, and what public universities can do to provide more leadership opportunities for women in the STEM field.

---

Celebrating Black History Month

February 2021

APLU hosted a a special hourlong webinar in celebration of Black History Month featuring three Black leaders in public higher education. During this event, the featured speakers discussed their own personal journey, reflected on the history and progress public universities have made toward better serving Black students, and explored the challenges and opportunities for public universities as they work to do more to expand access, ensure the success of Black students and faculty, and foster inclusive campuses.

---

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

October 2020

APLU hosted a special hourlong webinar in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with three Hispanic public research university presidents. During the discussion, the presidents discussed the successes public four-year institutions have made in recent years in better serving more Hispanic/Latinx students and how they contribute to the vibrancy of college campuses across the country. The presidents also explored the challenges and opportunities for public universities as they work to do more to expand access and ensure increased success of Hispanic students.

---