Albany State University participates in Truth, Racial Healing and Transformational Institute

Albany State University (ASU) was one of 78 higher education institutions selected to participate in the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) 2021 Institute on Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) for Campus Centers. The Institute was held virtually June 22–25.

 “Being selected for the AAC&U Institute is an honor. Universities should be a part of these important conversations to remain at the forefront of these issues, and to affect change. Our students are the next generation of leaders. We need to prepare them with the tools to stand against racism, and the social and economic injustices that continue to plague our country,” said ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick. 

In January 2021, Albany State University announced the launch of the ASU Centers for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Equity. The tri-part centers educate ASU students and stakeholders about the attributes, behaviors and actions that support people of various races, genders, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and socio-economic and national backgrounds. In addition, the centers teach practices that create and maintain equitable support, engagement and treatment, and full participation for all. 

The ASU Center for Diversity focuses on the attributes that make people unique, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic class, abilities, educational background, religion, national origin, and political beliefs. 

Dr. Wendy Wilson, Vice President of University Relations and Chief of Staff represented ASU at the institute.

“I am excited to be representing the Unsinkable Albany State University, and look forward to continue collaborating with others on how we as higher education institutions can continue to understand and change the construct that guides and influences social equity. It’s critical to teach the necessary actions that lead to the normalizing and broadening the many aspects of diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Wilson.

According to the AAC&U, the Institute’s curriculum is focused on developing and refining transformative action plans to advance the five components of the TRHT framework: narrative change, racial healing and relationship building, separation, law, and economy. Together, these five areas encompass the individual, communal, and systemic structures that perpetuate arbitrary divisions based on race.

In addition to ASU, Fort Valley University and Georgia Highlands College participated in the institute. To read the AAC&U press release, click here.