Kaleidoscope Leadership Institute

What:         
Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education hosts Kaleidoscope Leadership Institute, a five-day conference that celebrates and enhances the achievements of women of color in higher education. The event, beginning Nov. 30, is open to the public and features speakers and workshops for women in, and seeking, leadership positions in higher education.

Caption: Dawn Person, CSUF professor of educational leadership and director of the College of Education's Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership, will speak Dec. 2 during the Kaleidoscope Institute. Download Photo

Who:        
Keynoter Dawn Person, Cal State Fullerton professor of educational leadership and director of the College of Education’s Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership, will share her journey to success at noon, Friday, Dec. 2.

When:         
5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, through noon Sunday, Dec. 4

Where:         
Fullerton Marriott (southeast corner of Cal State Fullerton campus)
2701 E. Nutwood Ave, Fullerton, 92831

More:         
The conference will address issues facing leaders of educational institutions, including workplace challenges, and provide national networking and mentoring opportunities, as well as guidance and strategies for career planning. In addition, current and retired community college and university presidents serve as institute faculty members and volunteer their time to coach the women participants. “It is our commitment to pay forward,” said Ding-Jo H. Currie, Cal State Fullerton professor of educational leadership and institute organizer, who previously served as chancellor of Coast Community College District and president of Coastline Community College.

Caption: Ding-Jo Currie, CSUF professor of educational leadership and institute organizer. Download Photo

Why:        
“Women of color currently succeeding in roles as college and university presidents and CEOs will share their professional and personal experiences relating to leadership and achievement,” said Currie, a native of Taiwan and the first female chancellor in the history of Coast Colleges. “This institute also prepares participants for similar leadership positions by exploring issues in higher education and analyzing barriers that prevent different cultural groups from connecting. Kaleidoscope provides guidance on setting and achieving personal and professional goals.”

Background:         
Kaleidoscope was formed to give women of color an opportunity to examine themselves and discover their wondrous reflections, Currie explained. The late Carolyn Desjardins was the founder of the first Kaleidoscope, held in Minnesota in October 1991. “She was a Caucasian woman who understood the unique needs of women of color not being met,” Currie said. Kaleidoscope is geared primarily for women of color and offers a program that honors and celebrates their differences, develops connections to other cultural groups, strengthens their individual leadership skills, assesses their personal goals, addresses issues of leadership and ethnicity, and empowers them to circumvent and dismantle cultural barriers, Currie added.

Cost:         
$900. Fee includes workshops, institute materials and three luncheons, featuring guest speakers.

Registration/Information:         
Deadline to register is Wednesday, Nov. 23. Reservations may be made by contacting Kimberly Naujokas, 657-278-4021, knaujokas@fullerton.edu; or online.

Sponsors:         
Ferris State University of Big Rapids, Mich., and Dior of South Coast Plaza

Media Contacts:        
Ding-Jo H. Currie, Educational Leadership, 657-278-7484 or dcurrie@fullerton.edu

Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027, 657-278-2414 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu