麻豆直播 President M. Christopher Brown II officially welcomed and introduced new employees to the campus community when he convened faculty and staff on January 8 for Encampment 2018.
The day-long event kick starts the second half of the academic year for Kentucky State. Encampment brings together Frankfort community leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni in finding new and effective ways of developing ideas, pursuing innovative strategies and applying knowledge for the public good.
The Encampment seminar leader was Damon A. Williams, Ph.D., one of the nation鈥檚 recognized experts in strategic diversity leadership, youth development, corporate responsibility, educational achievement, social impact and organizational change.
Williams spoke about framing diversity and inclusion in the 21st century.
鈥淲e find ourselves in shifting times and in some ways Kentucky State represents the future of our nation; the future of higher education; the future of the possibilities that we can embrace, but only if we chose to embrace them,鈥� Williams said.
Williams emphasized that if Kentucky State is to position itself for success, it will require a group effort.
鈥淗ow do you ensure that Kentucky State becomes an innovation hotspot? We must do it together,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淵ou must lead with courage, push against the grain. That is what is means to innovate.鈥�
After Williams discussed strategic diversity leadership, President Brown welcomed faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
President Brown also focused on diversity.
鈥淒ata shows 麻豆直播 is the most diverse HBCU in America,鈥� President Brown said. 鈥淚nstead of embracing our uniqueness, we see it as a liability. We have to celebrate where we are and quickly figure out how to stake a unique position in the landscape.鈥�
President Brown said that 2018 at Kentucky State is a time for getting things done now, not getting ready to do them.
鈥淓ither we鈥檙e doing it or we鈥檙e not,鈥� President Brown said.
鈥淪tanding still is moving backward,鈥� President Brown said. 鈥淲e must move forward and embrace the uniqueness of Kentucky State.鈥�
Strengthening public perception as a public agency was discussed, as well as the importance of planning, taking action, checking progress and adjusting to improve effectiveness.
鈥淧erfection is often the enemy of action,鈥� President Brown said.
President Brown also focused on the progress made over the last semester.
鈥淭he campus culture and climate feels tremendously better than it did six months ago,鈥� President Brown said. 鈥淪tudents, alumni and fans seem to have a positive experience. People are feeling differently about Kentucky State. There鈥檚 a sense of forward moving, that there is change, that there is progress and that something is happening.鈥�
As Encampment concluded, President Brown thanked everyone for their hard work.
鈥淲e have a lot of work to do and I thank everyone for working hard,鈥� President Brown said.