Global Respectful Disruption Mini Summit
Rest as Resistance
Took Place December 13, 2024
Join us for a professional gathering centered on the theme “Rest as Resistance,” particularly designed for the global education community. This event is dedicated to promoting wellness, community, and healing, emphasizing the crucial role of rest in the demanding field of education.
This unique mini summit offers educators and administrators from around the world a valuable opportunity to step away from their daily responsibilities and focus on personal and collective rejuvenation. We invite you to participate in a series of restorative sessions designed to enhance self-awareness and foster a sense of global togetherness.
Our aim is to provide a space where respectful disruption is embraced to highlight how rest can be a powerful tool for resistance and essential for sustainable educational practices. Join us in disrupting the norms of educational global engagement and rediscover the strength found in rest and reflection in practice.
THANK YOU TO OUR CATALYST SPONSOR
Alethea Global Cooperative
Alethea Global is a worker cooperative dedicated to fostering sustainability and international education by equipping academic institutions and organizations worldwide with the tools and support needed for just and climate-conscious operations. Their vision is to drive a transformative shift towards better practices in the international education sector.
Mini Summit Schedule
December 13, 2024
9:00 - 9:20 AM ET
SESSION
Welcome to the Global Respectful Disruption Mini Summit
Christina “Chris” Thompson (she/her/hers) is an award-winning international educator and justice-centered advocate. She serves as Founder and Managing Director of COMPEAR Global Education Network and an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Consultant with Be Equitable Inc. Chris consults with partners around the globe to implement strategic diversity and intercultural interventions. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, she has led international education, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public and private institutions. Her expertise includes instructing courses on intercultural preparation for education abroad and reflection courses in London, Spain, China, Cyprus, the Gambia, and New Orleans. As an EAKC NAFSA leader and chair of the EAKC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee, Christina is also a member of FORUM and CAINE’s Climate Justice Working groups, a NAFSA mentor, and a frequently invited speaker for WISE, NAFSA, Diversity Abroad, and FORUM on Education Abroad. Christina holds a MA in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a concentration and research in Global Literary Studies at Mannheim University in Germany. She is currently a Doctoral student studying Disruptive Leadership Practices in Global Spaces for Positive Change, also known as ‘Respectful Disruption.’
Kory M. Saunders (she,her,hers) is a lifelong learner of culture and has a keen interest in the connection we as people share between each other and the cultures in which we live. Kory is a proud graduate of Hampton University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University), where she earned a B.S. in Marketing and a B.A. in Spanish and also earned an M.B.A from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and an M.A in International Business with an International Marketing concentration from la Universitat de Valencia, Spain. Kory specializes in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, culture and belonging as well as programming. Kory has worked in both corporate and university settings. Kory is a sought after skilled presenter and workshop facilitator. She has presented at both in person and virtual conferences. Kory was the 2020 finalist for the Diversity Abroad, Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education Rising Star Award. Kory was the recipient of the NAFSA Region VII 2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in International Education Award. She was also the recipient of the NC State African American Culture Center’s Ebony Harlem 2021 Nkonsonkonson Staff “Sticks in a Bundle Award“. Kory is the creator of Kultural Kurators, a platform to amplify and uplift BIPOC folxs who have had global experiences. She is currently the Director of Inclusion Initiatives at AIFS Abroad.
9:30 - 10:30 AM ET
SESSION
Mindful Inclusion: Integrating Mental & Emotional Wellness for DEI Practitioners
DEI practitioners carry the emotional weight of the people they are in service to. But the question is, “who holds space for the DEI expert for their emotional and mental reprieve?” Participants leave with practical tools and strategies tailored to your needs, empowering you to manage stress, prioritize self-care, and build resilience while navigating the emotionally demanding terrain of DEI work. Your commitment to this journey will empower you to foster more supportive, empathetic, and inclusive approaches within DEI practices and educational settings. Embrace the call to action for mindful inclusion and embark on this transformative experience to revolutionize the landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Join us in creating a future where everyone’s mental and emotional wellness is an integral part of the conversation.
LaToya Robinson is an Adjunct English Professor, skilled at unifying all cultural backgrounds, while representing every learner in curriculum to create positive & safe educational experiences. She integrates cross-cultural healing modalities to foster growth mindset for students and educational professionals. She is the Founder & CEO of B.E.E. Global Educational Consulting Firm- offering multidimensional services that transform school cultures and it’s leaders. In addition, Professor Robinson is a writer with published works advocating for equitable resources & wellness for educators and Black Women. She holds the degrees of Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Masters of Public Administration & Policy Management.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
SESSION
Disruption Starts From Within
“If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” – Mohandas Gandhi
In the world of international education it’s not easy to be a disruptor. The systems we must work within were created ages ago by those from another era. And yet they persist. For most folks, interrupting these embedded structures feels like a sisyphean effort and a fruitless endeavor. However, we can start with ourselves. Disrupting external systems requires us to begin by disrupting internal ones. In this session, we will share how we have begun the work of internal disruption, how this has impacted our personal and professional lives, and how attendees might embark on their own journey of self-disruption.
Jackie’s ‘WHY’ began to take shape when she became the first in her family to study abroad in college. An irrepressible traveler, her curiosity and respect for human interdependence continued to develop early in her career as a business analyst leading international change projects for Fortune 500 companies. After working in the travel and study abroad industries as a program manager, leader and professor, she founded her consulting firm in 2018 out of a desire to help organizations in those industries innovate, disrupt and make positive change.
With over two decades of consulting, coaching and strategy experience, Jackie has helped leaders at universities, nonprofits and for-profit organizations reach their business goals: from sourcing and recruiting diverse and qualified candidates, to co-creating more inclusive organizational culture, to developing strategy and action plans that achieve data-driven, sustainable change.
Lamar Shambley is a Brooklyn-based educator and the Founder and Executive Director of Teens of Color Abroad (TOCA), a nonprofit organization that creates global language learning and cultural exchange programs for high school students of color. Since 2018, TOCA has sponsored new passports for 30 students, served over 1,000 youth nationwide, and awarded over $250,000 in language learning and study abroad scholarships. He received his B.A. in Modern Languages and Literature from the College of William & Mary and M.A. in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education.
12:10 - 12:50 PM ET
LUNCH & LEARN
Revolutionary Rest: How HBCUs Are Redefining Success Through Study Abroad Programs
Tyler Janeé Ward is a Los Angeles-based educator, media specialist, and content creator. She studied Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University and was inspired to pursue education after studying abroad in Costa Rica. This is where she observed the lack of diversity among students of color, especially those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities which led her to join Teach for America and obtain a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction.
Tyler Janeé’s passion for travel led her to travel to over 20 countries by 25 years of age while teaching language skills in South Africa while earning a Teaching English As a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, an teaching American culture to high school students in Spain. Alongside her teaching career, she founded the non-profit organization Study Elsewhere, which aims to provide study abroad opportunities and resources for historically underrepresented students /communities.
Tyler Janeé has been a speaker for over 50+ sessions on study abroad for companies and universities such as The Black College Expo, Tuskegee University, and Morgan State University to name a few. Additionally, she was granted the Citizen’s Diplomacy Action Fund sponsored by the U.S Department of State to manage the Exchange Alumni Ambassador Program. She is dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural exchange and has made significant contributions to both the fields of education and media.
1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
SESSION
Caring for the Community Table
This interactive session will provide participants with meaningful opportunities to explore the connections between food security, sustainability, and a culture of care–especially in spaces where nourishment offered at the community table can offer needed sustenance for the body and create greater opportunities for care and inclusion through respectfully disruptive actions.
The two speakers leading the session will provide examples of programs that they’ve designed, developed, and implemented to address the need for a more inspired and inclusive conversation around the community table. They will share their experiences and their expertise in topics including food studies, productive social engagement, global education, the ethics of care, and other relevant ethical perspectives. The session leaders will include a review of practical applications of theoretical models that demonstrate clear action plans for making an impact in ways that are productive, thoughtful, and–quite often–delicious.
Through specific case studies and detailed information on a sampling of food-and-care focused initiatives, they will share examples of the work being done to create a sense of belonging in places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin–one of the most segregated cities in the United States, or in Detroit, Michigan–an area with incredibly high property displacement and increasingly polarized wealth distribution. International program examples will also be provided to make sure the session is not focused only on North American outcomes.
I’m currently work with the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO) for the City of Milwaukee and am the Chief Academic Officer for the European Graduate School.
With the European Graduate School, I am ABD in my doctoral research in the division of Philosophy, Art + Critical Thought, under the supervision of EGS dean and program director Dr. Christopher Fynsk. Prior to the EGS, I began my graduate work as a City College—CUNY Fellow and Isaac’s Scholar in the fields of labor studies, literature, and cultural studies.
I recently worked with The Culinary Institute of America’s Graduate School as curriculum + program developer and capstone faculty member–developing their online graduate degree programs–after previously serving as dean of faculty and instructional development.
My teaching career also includes positions with The City University of New York, The State University of New York, Marist College, Bard College, and The Global Center for Advanced Studies.
In addition to my doctoral studies, I’m also enrolled in Harvard Kennedy School’s PLC program, and earned a certificate in Social Impact Leadership from the UC Berkeley-Haas School of Business.
I’ve worked as a course catalyst for +Acumen Corps. I’m certified as a Quality Matters Master Peer Reviewer and subject matter expert for online learning. I mentor others through the organization Reason at Work, LLC and I’m a Certified Lean Launch Educator. I completed the altMBA program with Seth Godin and served as a workshop coach in his Akimbo programs. And I’m a TechStars Mentor for programs in Stockholm and SNB.
I’m the former CEO for Women’s Entrepreneurship Week–and was the original founder of The MKE Food School–a center for learning, innovation, and resource-sharing, dedicated to creating the space for an inspired conversation around Milwaukee’s community table.
I serve in a variety of senior leadership roles for several nonprofits, including the Junior League of Milwaukee, City Youth Martial Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Group, and The Milwaukee Food Council. I also mentor startups in the sectors of food, tech, and education and work as an academic programs advisor for City Tutors in NYC.
I’m on the Modern Stoicism Steering Committee and served as co-organizer for Stoicon 2021 and 2022, along with my husband, Greg Sadler, with whom I also organize a variety of public events, workshops, lecture series, and philosophical talks.
I love to share ideas and build things. Let’s collaborate!
Gregory Sadler teaches Philosophy, Religious Studies, Literature, and Writing classes at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is the author of one book and dozens of articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia articles. He is also the president and founder of ReasonIO, produces content in a popular philosophy YouTube channel, and works with clients as an APPA-certified philosophical counselor.
2:30 - 3:30 PM ET
SESSION
Reflections of Change: GRDI Scholars' Journeys in Intercultural Leadership and Respectful Disruption
This session provides a platform for the inaugural cohort of Global Respectful Disruption Initiative (GRDI) scholars to share their journeys of respectful disruption. They’ll showcase reflective visual pieces they developed through the GRDI Leadership Program, highlighting how their intercultural experiences have shaped their approaches to social justice and respectful disruption.
Key Highlights:
- Collaborative Reflection: Scholars worked with mentors to develop creative visual presentations.
- Intercultural Influence: The focus is on how their intercultural experiences shaped their social justice views.
- Respectful Disruption: Scholars will discuss how they’ve applied these lessons to promote change in their personal and professional lives.
Tim Bryson (he/him/él) is a PhD student in the Student Affairs concentration at the University of Maryland, College Park, focusing on the relationship between internationalization and athletics. He is also the founder of Walk With TFB, a Black owned consulting firm helping athletes, colleges/universities and brands with international athlete development, internationalization strategy, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) education. This summer, he participated in the NBA Africa Sport Globalization program. Respectful disruption means challenging the status quo in a manner that honors diverse perspectives and fosters inclusive excellence, driving meaningful change in international education and global sport.
1. Student at The Ohio State University
2. Studying Political Science
3. Study abroad Research strategies for political development in Malawi
4. As a political science major involved in Ohio State University’s study abroad program in Malawi, “respectful disruption” means a lot to me. It’s about bringing new ideas into traditional settings in a way that respects local customs. Working together with all those that I encounter, I aim to develop sustainable strategies that truly benefit the community. By blending advocacy with leadership, I challenge the status quo in a way that supports empowerment without sidelining local voices. This approach helps drive change that is not only innovative but also deeply considerate of the community’s core values.
I’m a psychology major and theatre arts minor at UC Santa Cruz. This summer, I have participated in an International Field Study program through my University’s Psychology and Cognitive Science department, for which we engage in an 8-week on-site internship in Dublin, Ireland. I have worked for a company called the Together Academy as a Therapeutic Support Team and Café intern. Together Academy provides job, life, and practical skills training to young adults with Down Syndrome, to prepare them for entering the workforce and connect them with opportunities to do so.
Respectful disruption means taking action when the status quo is causing active harm against people and/or communities. It means acknowledging that staying “neutral” or doing nothing is itself a choice that simply benefits the oppressors’ abilities to perpetuate existing oppressive systems. It brings to mind Martin Luther King Jr. and the numerous other cases throughout history of civil disobedience as a means of protest. It involves questioning “the way things are,” seeking to understand why and how that is the case, what the impact is, and what actions can be taken to change them. If a law, system, or occurrence is unjust, it is right to respectfully disrupt it.
3:30 - 4:00 PM ET
SESSION
Post Summit Reflection
Join us for a relaxed and open conversation to reflect on the insights, takeaways, and transformative ideas shared throughout the day. This is your chance to connect with fellow attendees, share your thoughts, and discuss how to carry the momentum of respectful disruption into your work.
Plus, don’t miss the announcement of the winners of our all-day swag giveaway—you must be present to win!
- Room 1: Mapping the Future of DEI – Reflect on how mindfulness and emotional wellness can enhance DEI practices.
- Room 2: The Inner Expedition – Explore how personal transformation drives respectful disruption.
- Room 3: The Care Collective – Discuss creating spaces that balance sustainable care and meaningful action.
- Room 4: Free Space – The Open Frontier – Engage in open, unstructured discussion on topics of your choice.
