Inclusive Leaders

The Eriksson College of Education regularly brings together faculty, staff and students to focus on recruitment and retention at Austin Peay State University through the lens of inclusion and belonging. Scroll to view all the latest initiatives.

Inclusive Leaders Workshops (2024-25)

This campus-wide workshop series is open to all students, faculty, and staff who want to leverage and celebrate differences in their professional and personal lives.

Those who attend at least 5 workshops and complete associated workshop activities will be awarded an Inclusive Leader microcredential. Lunch is provided at each workshop for those that RSVP at least two weeks in advance.

Click Here to RSVP

Workshops below occur the first Friday of the month, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in Claxton 216.

Changemaker Mini-Grants

The Changemaker Mini-Grants initiative is to provide monetary resources and in-kind services to Eriksson College of Education faculty, staff, and students.

Why it matters: These grants support events, workshops, and research conferences promoting educational inclusion and equity. They encourage awareness, innovation, and success by promoting recruitment and retention efforts, curriculum, and/or professional learning. 

The big picture:

• Applicants may be awarded up to $2,500
• Aims to boost awareness, innovation, and success
• Focuses on recruitment, retention, curriculum, and professional learning
• Open to faculty, staff and students

Apply now:

• Any College of Education faculty, staff member, student (or student organization) may apply for this funding.
• Programs, events, conferences, or workshops must meet the purpose of the Changemaker Mini-Grants and the Inclusive Leaders Council as stated above.
• Requests for speakers or performers must include biographical information and/or press release information and be approved by the Inclusive Leaders grant work group before submission.

View full application guidelines and complete your application:

Click to Apply by Oct. 4, 2024!

What's Next for Recipients: Grant recipients must present a 5-minute talk at the College of Education's Inclusive Leaders April Showcase.

• Best presentation wins an additional $1,000 in travel funding
• Key presentation points:

1. 1. Project name
   2. Collaborators/partners
   3. Dates of event/project/etc.
   4. Amount received
   5. Connection to APSU’s strategic plan
   6. Academic experience
      • Student experience
      • Employee experience
      • Community experience
   7. Highlight of the project
      • Other information from the event, such as pictures, news items, social media posts, direct quotes from attendees, etc.
      • Supporting media (photos, social posts, attendee quotes)

Bottom line: This initiative encourages collaboration and ingenuity to promote equity across the university

College of Education Inclusivity Statement

The Austin Peay State University (APSU) Eriksson College of Education is committed to anti-racist, anti-bias (ABAR) initiatives in each of our teaching and learning programs. We are committed to examining and disrupting/dismantling the history, biases, and exclusionary practices that hinder the integrity, dignity, and inclusion of all students.  We prioritize learning opportunities focused on culturally and racially diverse backgrounds that promote respect, empathy, equity, and ethical learning within each course. We will take action toward these commitments by: 

• Using inclusive, people-first language;
• Discovering ways to be(come) activist and abolitionist educators;
• Calling others in when we encounter bias/racism; 
• Engaging in professional development and reflection to increase our own knowledge;
• Recognizing and privileging the voices and work of Black, Indigenous, and other educators/researchers of color;
• Supporting students and partners in developing their own capacity in ABAR work;
• Purposefully and intentionally seeking out learning and unlearning opportunities.