2025 Call for Session Proposals

The work of diversity professionals in higher education has always been dynamic, yet ongoing shifts in societal and political landscapes and financial challenges for the higher education sector have amplified the unpredictability of the work. Leaders in higher education must adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities of our current climate without compromising on the work that is necessary to cultivate welcoming campuses where all can thrive. Even as we contend with an erosion of civil rights, threats to academic freedom and associated values, and intensified attempts to discredit the work of diversity professionals, we must continue to center our values and stay steady in our mission to advance inclusive excellence. 

The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education is dedicated to helping its members and allies navigate these pivotal times and live and lead through transitions and transformations. Our shared work holds value not just for our individual campuses, but for society and the economy more broadly, and it is through the confident leadership of diversity professionals that progress can continue to be made to ensure more equitable outcomes. 

The 2025 NADOHE Annual Conference will equip diversity professionals, academic leaders, and all attendees with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to guide institutions and higher education more broadly through evolving conditions and stay resolute in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. It will highlight the depth of diversity, equity, and inclusion research and scholarship, as well as the applied work of diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioners, including best practices and policies from leading experts in the field. It will inspire and empower attendees to take bold actions that foster inclusive excellence and institutional transformation. The conference’s location in Chicago, a city with a deep history of both opportunity and segregation, reminds us of all of the complexities of our work, and of the progress that has been made since the Civil Rights Movement — progress that current dismantling efforts seek to erase. Through keynote sessions, workshops, and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore how to leverage the current moment to drive sustainable change and cultivate a culture of belonging. 

We encourage submissions from 4-year colleges and universities, community colleges, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and Minority-Serving Institutions.

Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following broad topics:

• Innovative research related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice
• Creative contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion on campuses
• Intersectionality of social identities, including but not limited to: race, gender, (dis)ability, sexuality, etc.
• Case studies and methods for tracking outcomes of diversity, equity, and inclusion work
• Faculty recruitment, retention, and promotion
• Staff recruitment, retention, and promotion
• Curricula and course development
• Anti-bias training, anti-racism training, and professional development

Proposal Formats

NADOHE seeks proposals for concurrent sessions. Sessions can include theory and/or research, but presentations are strongly encouraged to have an applied and/or practitioner perspective. Proposals may be submitted for one of the following two formats:

1. Deep Dive, Case, and/or Research Study (75 minutes)

   1. Deep Dive (Panel Presentation): A highly interactive presentation given by up to three content leaders, focused on developing the audience’s skills around critical areas such as anti-racism, equity and inclusion, intersectionality, and/or around one of the conference's proposed topics.
   2. Case or Research Study (Individual or Panel Presentation): An academic presentation given by up to three content leaders, offering perspective around a specific topic centered on issues of anti-racism, equity and inclusion, intersectionality, and/or around one of the conference's proposed topics.

2. Express Talk (30 minutes; 20-minute presentation): A “TED”-style presentation given by a content leader that explores a single idea with practical tips through storytelling. Given the theme of this year’s conference, we would like to invite Express Talks revolving around the issues of navigating challenges, adaptation without compromises, perseverance in missions, and advancing inclusive excellence.

Proposal Tracks & Audience

If submitting a proposal for a specific track, please indicate which track your submission falls under:

• Health Equity: Provides an opportunity for diversity officers and leaders advancing diversity, equity inclusion, belonging, and social justice across health professions, education institutions, and health care and related organizations to engage in robust conversations that facilitate the sharing of best practices, strategies, and tools.
• Academic Diversity Officer (ADO): An ADO is similar to a CDO and has responsibility for prioritizing and executing diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plans and practices in specific academic units — disciplines, schools, departments and colleges — rather than the entire campus. The ADO track focuses on defining the ADO role; sharing the lived experience, challenges, and opportunities of an ADO; exploring how their responsibilities are defined by the mission of their academic unit structure, leadership, and the institution’s CDO; and developing critical success factors and professional development that is needed for an ADO to succeed and advance in their career.
• General: Mark here if your submission isn’t part of the Health Equity or Academic Diversity Officer tracks.

When completing the form, please indicate which audience your session proposal is most appropriate for:

• Seasoned Diversity Officer (i.e., 7 or more years of experience)
• New Diversity Officer (i.e., 1-5 years of experience)
• Other diversity, equity, and inclusion professional

You agree to present in person at the 2025 Annual Conference by submitting a proposal.

Proposal Submissions closed Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

Thank you for your submissions.

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