Diversity & Reconciliation Conference

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Every University has its issues and struggles. During 2018, the Seminary campus was abuzz regarding women’s ordination issues while the University campus continued its work to deal with issues resulting from its rich racial and ethnic diversity.

With this as its context the Office of Diversity & Inclusion invited professor Christina Cleveland, Duke Divinity School, November 1-2, 2018 to speak on the issues of race and diversity.  Dr. Christina Cleveland is a fifth-generation African-American minister and an award-winning author. Not disappointing, she pulled deeply from her well of experience and expertise to share with students and faculty alike during the Diversity & Reconciliation Conference. An impactful segment of the conference was a Seminary faculty meeting workshop on diversity and inclusion in the classroom. Dr. Cleveland shared how to make our classrooms more inclusive and welcoming of diversity. Dr. Willie Hucks particularly appreciated her analysis of The Culture Cycle, commenting, “it became clearer to me that institutions are governed by ideas, and those institutions often and unwittingly influence individuals through their interactions—sometimes adversely.”

The conference included an evening dinner and dialogue with theology/religion undergrads and Seminary women pursuing professional ministry. Dr. Cleveland was candid with attendees, sharing with them some of the challenges she has faced in her personal and professional journey.  Nicole Harvey-Williams, seminarian and local WCN president recalls, “Dr. Cleveland encouraged us to prepare ourselves for the double challenge of being female and minority in the theological world. She shared, for example, that as a black single woman preacher she was viewed by the white churches she ministered to as potentially promiscuous.  While that was uncomfortable to hear as a black female clergy, I took solace in the fact that God sees all of His daughters as precious jewels!” 

Full of tips and cautionary tales, Cleveland advised the young women present to, “stay true to who God called you to be no matter what others may say and have a great support network of other women.” The importance of self-care and truth-telling were also stressed. Nicole recalls being reminded that, “the first person with whom we are to be honest is ourselves.  We were warned not to engage in the dishonest practice of painting rosy pictures of life in ministry.”

Attendees found the sessions empowering and affirming.  Sarah Cadet, seminarian, settled on the fact that, “it is important to take time and acknowledge the traumas you have gone through as a woman in a male dominated society and not pretend as if injustices have not occurred.” She was also sobered by the reality of “the biases that come with being a single female pastor and how that kind of status isn’t always appealing to conferences. “

The goal of the conference was to engage the campus community in dialog and thought regarding intentionally seeking and implementing significant means of engaging in healing, restoration and reconciliation: factors which are vital for the stability of the wonderfully diverse community that is Andrews University.

For more information about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, contact Michael Nixon, VP Office of Diversity and Inclusion 269-471-6636

Esther Green
MDiv student
Graduate Assistant/PR,  Office of the Seminary Dean