Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism
The Michael Tilford Conference provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators at Kansas Board of Regents institutions to approach diversity in higher education by examining the challenges and opportunities in Kansas including:
- Inspire awareness of multiple dimensions of diversity, related practices of inclusion, and the transformation of higher education in Kansas.
- Participate in workshops to learn about challenges and strategies for teaching diverse populations on Kansas campuses.
- Share your passion for teaching and interacting with students from all backgrounds.
Goals of the conference include
- Listening to visionary leaders who will inspire you to promote equity and awareness at your institution.
- Participating in workshops to learn about challenges teaching diverse populations on Kansas campuses.
- Sharing your passion for teaching and interacting with students regardless of race, gender, religion and national origin.
Michael Tilford
This conference is named in memory of the late Dr. Michael Tilford, who passed away on November 6, 1996. Dr. Tilford was the WSU representative on the Regents Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee from its onset in 1994 until his death.
In 1969, Dr. Tilford was one of 100 African-American educators from across the country who received Ford Foundation Grants for advanced graduate study. He received his doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 1970. Dr. Tilford also had a bachelor's degree from Langston University in mathematics/chemistry and a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in science education. He was appointed Dean of the Graduate School of WSU in 1988 and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1994. Dr. Tilford chaired many organizations, and his committee work showed his commitment to the education of students traditionally underrepresented at the university level.
In the 1970s, he served on a committee that developed a successful proposal for the minority studies program. Also, he helped conduct a study of the institutional commitment to minorities at WSU.