Fourth Annual Inclusive Excellence Summer Symposium
The Inclusive Excellence Summer Symposium is an annual skills-building event for members of the Gillings community to foster more inclusive learning and working environments. With varying topics every year, the symposium provides attendees with history, theory and practical skills to critically analyze their course content, workplace practices and professional relationships to co-create inclusive learning and working environments.
Module 1: Disability Justice, Awareness and Resources
This module focuses on disability justice, awareness, and resources to build accessible classrooms and workplaces.
Laurie Selz-Campbell, MSW, CPRP
Board Member; Clinical Associate Professor UNC School of Social Work
Laurie Selz-Campbell is a Clinical Associate Professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work, where she teaches courses in social justice, social welfare, disability, the life course, and mental health recovery, among others. Laurie serves as the supervisor for ATI’s social work interns – clinicians in training who are passionate about learning to incorporate the expressive arts into their practice. She has worked for many years with adults living with mental illness, and was part of a team that implemented the first structured mental health peer support programs in North Carolina. In 2011, Laurie partnered with Hillary Rubesin, ATI Clinical Director, to co-found the Arts and Peer Support Group, which she continues to co-facilitate. She is committed to bringing the voices of individuals with lived experience into social work education, frequently inviting group members to the School of Social Work to share their experiences and their artwork (as well as art making) with students.
Chelsea Porter
Head of Digital Accessibility Digital Accessibility Office, UNC-CH
Chelsea Porter is the head of the Digital Accessibility Office (DAO). Porter first joined the DAO as a digital accessibility consultant in early 2020 and has served as Interim Head of the Digital Accessibility Office since August 2022. Porter was chosen for the permanent position following a competitive search.
The Digital Accessibility Office, formed in 2019, is housed within ITS but acts as a resource for all of campus, offering services, tools and training to help improve the accessibility of digital content. The DAO also maintains UNC-Chapel Hill’s Digital Accessibility Policy and two related standards. The DAO also plays an integral role in supporting the University’s Carolina Next strategic plan, particularly the initiative focused on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the Carolina community.
Tiffany Bailey, MS
Director of Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator Equal Opportunity and Compliance (EOC), UNC-CH
Tiffany Bailey serves as the University’s Director of Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in Equal Opportunity and Compliance (EOC). In this role, Tiffany is responsible for overseeing the University’s compliance efforts including policies and procedures that address the ADA and federal and state regulations for individuals with disabilities. She facilitates the ADA accommodation process for faculty and staff and coordinates ADA training. Tiffany also works with HR partners to ensure equity and equal opportunity in employment processes and fulfilling the University’s obligations related to EEO plans.
Laurie Selz-Campbell’s Disability Justice Presentation (PDF)
Chelsea Porter and Lane Fields’ Digital Accessibility Presentation (PDF)
Tiffany Bailey’s Equal Opportunity and Compliance Presentation (PDF)
Module 1 Transcript (PDF)
Module 2: Understanding International Student Experiences
This module centers on the various aspects of immersive study in a different language and culture, as well as highlighting strategies to increase equity on campus.
Gigi Taylor, PhD
Senior English Language Specialist The Writing & Learning Center, UNC-CH
Gigi Taylor is the Senior English Language Specialist at UNC’s Writing & Learning Center, where she coordinates academic writing support for international students and scholars. With a PhD in English as a Second Language, Gigi has over 25 years of experience teaching graduate-level communication and offering faculty development workshops for inclusive teaching and mentoring. She is past chair of the International TESOL Second Language Writing interest section and a founding member of the Consortium for Graduate Communication and the Provost’s Committee on the International Student & Scholar Experience.
Christian Warren, PhD
English Language Specialist The Writing & Learning Center, UNC-CH
Christian Warren is an English Language Specialist at UNC’s Writing & Learning Center, where he primarily works with international graduate students supporting their academic writing and communication. He received his PhD from UNC’s School of Education with research focused on the teaching experiences of international graduate students. Warren has worked with multilingual writers for over 15 years, and he serves on the Provost’s Committee on the International Student & Scholar Experience and as the Chair for the Repair sub-committee for the College of Arts and Sciences DEI Strategic Plan.
Gigi Taylor and Warren Christian’s Understanding International Student Experiences Presentation (PDF)
Gigi Taylor and Warren Christian’s Strategies for Supporting International Students Presentation (PDF)
Module 2 Transcript (PDF)
Module 3: Military-Connected Student Experiences and Support
This module discusses the experiences and concerns of military-connected students along with methods to support their academic pursuits.
Shawn Kane, COL Ret., MD
Physician, Associate Professor Transforming Health and Resilience In Veterans (THRIVE) Program UNC Department of Family Medicine Veteran U.S. Army COL(R)
For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a doctor, my dad being a high school science teacher and my mom being a registered nurse might have had something to do with that dream. The idea of being part of something bigger than yourself, being able to serve in and positively influence the community is something that always interested me about medicine. Being able to help people get and stay well and healthy excites me. I believe the best kind of patient is a patient who is fully invested and interested in their wellness and health care. I truly think it is my job to present the patient with a list of options and to discuss the pros and cons of each. Every patient is different, so every situation and subsequent choice is unique. There are some straightforward decisions in medicine, but most of the time there are an array of choices and helping the patient making the best decision for themselves is a vital part of my job. Outside of the office, I can be found driving my children places and watching them play sports and grow into great human beings. I enjoy doing hot yoga and other forms of exercise.
Wes Cole, PhD, CBIS
Research Associate Professor, Neuropsychologist Transforming Health and Resilience In Veterans (THRIVE) Program Matthew Gfeller Center Department of Exercise and Sport Science, UNC-CH
Wesley “Wes” Cole is a Research Associate Professor with the Matthew Gfeller Center in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as a neuropsychologist for the Transforming Health and Resilience In Veterans (THRIVE) Program. Wes completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology from James Madison University. He obtained his masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina.
In 2009, Wes joined the traumatic brain injury services at Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg. In this role he was a neuropsychologist, research lead, and chief of behavioral health services for the Intrepid Spirit Center, a multidisciplinary TBI treatment facility for military Service members. Wes joined UNC and the THRIVE Program in 2022. He has been the Principal Investigator for multiple TBI-related studies and has authored or co-authored numerous peer reviewed publications. His primary research interests are with cognitive assessment and outcomes following concussion, return to duty assessment for military warfighters, and innovative treatments for postconcussive symptoms.
Rob Palermo
Program Director, Green Zone Training Instructor Carolina Veterans Resource Center, UNC-CH Veteran U.S. Coast Guard Officer
Rob is the Director of the Carolina Veterans Resource Center, where he also serves as an instructor for UNC’s Green Zone training. Before his current role, Rob was an Academic Advisor at the Hardin Hub for Career and Academic Advising. Before working in higher education, Rob served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for eight years, where he received numerous awards for his service. After serving in the USCG, Rob worked as a New Orleans Health Department paramedic. Rob has extensive experience supporting veteran students and military-connected students, along with leading numerous workshops and trainings at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rob was awarded the Mickel-Shaw Excellence in Advising Award (2018-2019) for his achievements and contributions to supporting students at UNC Chapel Hill. Rob earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in history from San Diego State University.
Shawn Kane and Wes Cole’s THRIVE Presentation (PDF)
Rob Palermo’s Accessibility Challenges and the Military Connected Community Presentation (PDF)
Module 3 Transcript (PDF)
