Responsible Teaching in a Violent Culture
American society seems to be getting more polarized and more violent, but teachers—at every level—feel more trepidation than confidence about addressing issues that are even slightly controversial. This workshop empowers educators to develop strategies that allow them to be proactive rather than reactive, to operate from a clear affirmative stance rather than respond only when a nasty incident forces the issue. Based on Koritha’s expertise regarding how violence functions and the purpose of all forms of violence (from hate speech to physical attacks), this workshop emphasizes philosophical approaches instructors can adopt and offers concrete practices that put theory into motion. Participants will leave with conceptual frameworks they can use to assess the strategies they are currently implementing in the classroom, but they can also use the frameworks to develop additional strategies. As important, participants will leave the session with activities they can immediately take into the classroom. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »
How Diversity Breeds Excellence
Leaders are encouraged to analyze demographic data and statistics, so they often recognize that there is diversity among the constituents they serve. But does recognizing diversity lead to better decisions? Institutions typically assess the effectiveness of leadership in ways that measure only whether straight white men are served. What would happen if leaders understood that they cannot do their jobs well without truly engaging a diverse set of needs and interests? This session demonstrates that leaders set a low bar for themselves when they fail to engage a variety of concerns. It also equips leaders to address diverse populations in ways that are effective, culturally competent, and more likely to build lasting collaboration. It will help leaders consider the attitudes and approaches that tend to generate outreach strategies that are more respectful and effective than placating, condescending, and shallow. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »
Ethical Orientations for Collegiality, Mentoring, and Teaching
When Americans aren’t ignoring inequities altogether, we focus on cultivating empathy for other people’s hardships. Unfortunately, this approach only reinforces the status quo. In contrast, this workshop helps attendees see that changing our environments requires a laser focus on unearned advantages. Too often, people in dominant identity categories assume they are good and decent without reference to actual standards. However, operating ethically as a colleague, mentor, or teacher requires holding oneself to objective standards, not simply assuming you’re good at your job because no one has compelled you to do it better. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »
Writing & Publishing Scholarly Books
Given from the author’s point of view, this workshop empowers scholars to complete the writing process for major research projects and find the best outlet for their work. It especially highlights approaches to one’s work that will be most empowering and sustainable. Koritha believes her approaches saved her from the internal struggles others had with their second books. Those approaches take priority, but the workshop also addresses questions regarding what to send as a book proposal; whether and how to propose to more than one acquisitions editor simultaneously; the difference between an acquisitions editor and book series editor; what to expect between manuscript submission and publication; strategies for responding to reader reports; the implications of having one’s book immediately released in paper and ebook; what one might be able to negotiate in a publishing contract; and much more. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »
Join the Nerd Herd: Ready, Set, Run + Write
Scholars want to be productive writers, and we know that physical activity is important for basic health. Too often, though, our writing productivity is non-existent. At other times, we write energetically but our health suffers as we sacrifice not only exercise but also sleep. This workshop empowers scholars to use exercise to improve research productivity. Because running changed Koritha’s life, she loves sharing it, and having founded the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of Black Girls RUN! taught her how to guide people who don’t see themselves as athletes to develop consistent workout routines. Though running is the primary example, and distributed training programs focus on walking and running, the principles can be applied to one’s chosen physical activity. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »
Surviving and Thriving in College, Graduate School, & Beyond
As the first in her family to attend college, Koritha understands that the knowledge needed to succeed in various environments may seem like common sense, but it is anything but natural or self-evident. She enjoys equipping audiences with information that demystifies the challenges they may encounter in college and in different stages of graduate study. The workshop can be tailored to address high school students, college students, or graduate students. It offers strategies for maximizing local and national resources; creating community; and networking so that students gain exposure to the many ways in which they can contribute to society and find joy while doing so. BOOK THIS WORKSHOP »