About the Conference
PASSHE Collaborative Conference
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) Collaborative conference and debate tournament is a signature academic and leadership forum dedicated to advancing equity, social justice, and inclusive excellence across the fourteen PASSHE institutions. Rooted in the legacy of Frederick Douglass, the conference seeks to cultivate intellectual inquiry, critical dialogue, and collaborative action that addresses persistent disparities in higher education and society.
The FDI Conference serves as both a scholarly platform and a professional development space, bringing together faculty, administrators, students, staff, and community partners who are committed to transformational change. The conference is guided by the mission of the FDI, which focuses on promoting multiculturalism, supporting historically underrepresented scholars, and expanding opportunities for teaching, research, and service aligned with Douglass’s principles of education, liberation, and civic engagement.
Historically, the FDI Collaborative Conference has provided a unique space within PASSHE where interdisciplinary perspectives meet real-world application. Sessions often explore topics such as diversity in curriculum design, antiracist pedagogies, culturally responsive advising, leadership development, access and retention strategies, and the role of public institutions in advancing social equity. By integrating research, practice, and policy, the conference encourages participants to analyze systemic barriers and propose evidence-based solutions that improve institutional cultures. The event frequently highlights student voices, mentorship initiatives, and cross-campus partnerships, reinforcing the belief that equity work must be collaborative and sustained.
In addition to its intellectual contributions, the PASSHE FDI Collaborative Conference plays a strategic role in strengthening statewide collaboration. Because PASSHE institutions vary in size, demographics, resources, and regional context, the conference offers a shared space to exchange promising practices and build networks that transcend individual campuses. It supports faculty and student research dissemination, provides professional development aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, and encourages system-wide initiatives that align with PASSHE’s broader mission of public service. By centering the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass, the conference affirms the importance of education as a vehicle for social transformation and collective progress. Ultimately, the PASSHE FDI Collaborative Conference functions as a catalyst for reflective learning, institutional change, and the creation of academic environments where all members of the community can thrive.
Keynote Speaker
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