7th Annual Ruby Jones Conference on Race, Social Justice, and Civic Leadership – Oct 24

Posted by West Chester University on October 7, 2025

On Friday, October 24, 2025, the Dowdy Multicultural Center will host its 7th Annual Ruby Jones Conference on Race, Social Justice, and Civic Leadership from 9am – 2pm at the Sykes Student Union in the Sykes Ballrooms. In recognition of our 250th year of U.S. Independence, the theme for the conference is “250 Years Later: This is America”.

The goal of this conference is to create an educational environment where participants can engage in learning that will raise awareness and promote action-oriented dialogue about race, gender, sexuality, health, disability, social and cultural issues, and so much more. This conference will help to examine how these issues impact faculty, staff, and students’ lives on campus, in communities, and in society. The coming year marks 250 years of independence in the U.S. and our hope is that participants will be encouraged to think critically about our independence, the issues concerning their communities, and the role they play.

More Conference Details:
We are currently accepting proposals for workshop presenters. Presentation topics can include race, gender, sexuality, health, disability, social and cultural issues, and other social or cultural issues. Interested parties should register for the event and submit their proposals by Friday, October 10, 2025 at 11:59pm.

To register or submit proposals, please click the links below:

Event Registration Link: https://cglink.me/2f3/r2128832

Proposal Sign-up: https://cglink.me/2f3/s96098

The Keynote speaker.
Dr. Kristin Austin
Dr. Kristin Austin (she/her) is a lover of learning and unlearning. Dr. Austin’s goal is to catalyze individuals and structures to question, “Who is at the table? Who is missing from the table? For whom was the table built? And who is unaware the table exists?” Dr. Austin has pursued answers to these questions via 23+ years of administrative and faculty higher education roles domestically and internationally, as well as by leading organizations and teams through equity, inclusion, and belonging-oriented education. Currently, Dr. Austin serves as Vice President of Culture & Community Impact at Rewriting the Code, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization that empowers students and early career women in technology to belong in all spaces where the future is shaped. Along with her professional work, Dr. Austin engages in speaking, teaching, and pushing visibility for many inclusion topics, especially those related to neurodiversity. Holding identities of ADHD and learning disabled, Dr. Austin loves to create and hold space for neuro-spicy brains, like hers, and maybe yours. Dr. Austin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership & Administration, a Professional Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a master’s degree in counseling, and a bachelor’s degree (her favorite degree) in Social Work. She is also blessed to learn from 3 medium-sized, and forgiving professors, ages 16, 14, and 11, and is married to a fellow education professional. For these reasons, her favorite get-a-way is to Target…. alone.

Who is Ruby Jones?
Ruby Jones was hired to teach at West Chester University in 1961. As the first Black teacher on campus, she was a central figure in the school’s efforts to become more diverse. Ruby was an Assistant Professor and Supervisor of Student Teachers. In commemoration of her, the institution renamed the Model School building, Ruby Jones Hall. Jones became a symbolic figure of racial integration, but her work with hundreds of student teachers made an impact even greater.