1. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Georgia Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Student Government Association
Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee
The Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee (CDAC) of the Undergraduate Student
Government Association is excited to update you on the successful completion of the
Spring 2015 High School Summit. This report details the impact and shortcomings of
the summit, along with recommendations from the Spring 2015 Co-chairs. You will find
the report organized into sections based upon the content, logistics, audience, and
administrative partners.
CDAC Mission:​ CDAC stands as a committee of ​dreamers and doers ​who consistently
strive to foster an inclusive intellectual environment by increasing Georgia Tech’s multicultural
competence and appreciation for our diverse student body and cultural/diversity
organizations.
CDAC Vision:​ To be not just an advocate, but a defender of all students, and to aid in
advancing a culture of Inclusive Excellence within the Georgia Tech Community.
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2. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Index
Intro and Background 3
Project Scope 4
Administrative and Community Partners 5
Notable Event Details 6
High Level Content Summary 7
Going Forward 11
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3. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Co-Chairs
CDAC Co-Chair (Fall 2014 - Spring 2015): W. R. Alex Berry
Major: Industrial Engineering
Year: 3rd
CDAC Co-Chair (Spring 2015): Morgan Foreman
Major: Psychology
Year: 2rd
CDAC Co-Chair (Fall 2014): Lisa White
Major: Industrial Engineering and Psychology
Year: 5th
2014-2015 Student Council Committee of the Year
Campus Affairs Board
Vice President of Campus Affairs (Student Body Pres.-Elect): Jennifer Abrams
Words From Jen:
One of my biggest goals for this position was really to​be a voice for the students into the
ear of the administration​. I wanted to connect the awesome campus leaders who are my
committee chairs with those in administration who are making the decisions affecting the
everyday student experience.This voice was heard in some of our biggest accomplishments
last year.
Fall 2014 Projects
● The Cultural and Diversity Affairs committee began the semester by facilitating a
Cultural Roundtable​discussion event in collaboration with the President’s Council
Governing Board. This event included the top leaders of some of our most diverse
student organizations on campus.
Spring 2015 Accomplishments
● Cultural & Diversity Affairs widened their influence to surrounding colleges in hosting
an ​Intercollegiate Diversity Roundtable​including leadership from SGA’s from
Agnes Scott, Emory, Georgia State, Georgia Perimeter College, Clark Atlanta
University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College to come and discuss issues
and vision of diversity particular to each campus. This event began what has been a
strong and steady relationship throughout the semester with the participating
schools.
● CDAC also hosted their ​Inaugural​​High School Summit​bringing over 30 high school
students to Georgia Tech to talk about diversity in their schools and how that will
transition into their college careers
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4. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
High School Summit Background
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this High School Summit with Atlanta Area Private and Public School Student
Leaders was to engage students through discussions and activities about diversity beyond
the scope of high school that will foreshadow the college leadership and social experiences.
In addition, the event aims to provide students with an experience that they can apply at
their respective high schools for student progress and inspire them in their individual pursuit
of finding their passion.
Scope
The target audience for this project included Student Leaders in the public, charter, and
private Metro Atlanta High Schools in grade levels freshman through senior. The hope was to
allow these students to gain a sense of the diversity of their peers in the metro Atlanta area.
Over 50 High Schools within a 30 mile radius of Georgia Tech were invited to apply to the
High School Summit. Student attendees came into contact with the future student leaders of
their generation as well as current college students. They begun to explore who they are as
individuals in a changing, dynamic world. This event focused on three pillars of growth:
Leadership, Personal Transition, and Team Building.
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5. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Administrative and Community Partners
Admissions:
Valerie Mack, Associate Director
● Provided APS School Contacts through Counselors, and APS Scholars
● Donated 45 Admission Pamphlets
Auxiliary Services:
Rich Steele, Senior Director
● Supported with $1000 for catering services from Highland Bakery
○ Used to fund a working Diversity Training Lunch
Community and Local Government Relations:
Chris Burke, ​Director of Community Relations
● Provided Logistical Support
● Facilitated Contact with Brian Srikanchana and Work Ready Grad
Dean of Students​:
Stephanie Ray, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Diversity Programs
● Provided content for Diversity Training and Inclusive Leader Luncheon
● Represented the Office of the Dean of Students
Office of Institute Diversity:
Dr. Archie Ervin, Vice President of Institute Diversity
● Provided financial support to secure Student Success Center
● Provided insight towards how the Summit aligns with Georgia Tech’s Strategic Plan
● Provided 10 Parking Passes, 45 Diversity Folders, and Materials for Certificates
Najah Hofman, ​Event and Marketing Coordinator
● Assisted with design of Student Achievement Certificates
Undergraduate Student Government Association:
● Funded a Stipend for Photographers
Community Partners:
Brian Srikanchana, Work Ready Grad
● Presented Startup at Summit
● Assisted with Structure of Content and Leadership Challenges
Rick Holifield, Director of Diversity Pace Academy
● Provided Content Support on High School Level
● Main Private High School Contact
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6. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Notable Event Details
Budget:
● Total: $1300
● $1000 ­Food
● $180 ­ Building Reservation
● $40 ­ stipend for Photographers
● $80 ­ Certificates
Planning Timeline:
● 1 Month before:
○ Sent event proposal to Administrative Partners
● 3 weeks before:
○ Initial list of high schools contacted
● 2 weeks before:
○ Reserved Student Success Center
○ Increased contacted schools and organizations
○ Secured funding for food
○ Crafted structure for content
● 1 week before:
○ Met with Dean Stephanie Ray and Rick Holifield to create high level content
○ Finalized logistics
○ Secured volunteers
Registration:
● At close of Registration, 46 Student Leaders were registered with more inquiring about
applying
○ 15 Freshman, 14 Sophmore, 8 Juniors, and 9 Seniors
○ 15 Private School Students, 18 Public School Students, 8 Charter School Students
● Wait List was created
● This list comprised of students from 22 High Schools at either the public, private, or
charter level
● Many students were members of Jack and Jill of America
● 3 Future Yellow Jackets Class of 2019
● Contacted by the Director of Foster Care Services to do a similar Event
Day Of:
● 32 students in attendance; 12 volunteers: three photographers
● Appearances by Student Body President Elect Jennifer Abrams and Dean Stephanie Ray
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7. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Content Summary
Introduction, Ground Rules, and Icebreaker:
● Laid the groundwork for positive communication
● Created a safespace environment for sensitive topics
● Icebreaker used: The Handshake Game
Personal Transition with Brian Srikanchana:
● Transitioning your mindset from High School to College
● Presentation about the Work Ready Grad Platform
● College and Career preparedness and resume building
● Insights about Entrepreneurship
● Student Success Stories: Presented Stories from College Students
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8. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
What’s Your Story? From Work Ready Grad to Real Life
● Eight TechExpert topics: ​College Jobs/ Summer Internships/Co­op, Community Service,
Leadership, Research, Diversity/ Finding Passions, Social Life Balance, Mentorship and Self
Reflection
● One college student stood at each topic and shared their experience in the field
● An open dialogue was created to get students thinking about what they are passionate about and
how they can pursue these passions
● Considered one of the Student Leader’s favorite parts of the day
Working Lunch: Diversity Training and Inclusive Leadership
● Discussed Dimensions of Diversity
● Laid the groundwork for inclusive communication
● Brainstormed how to celebrate a community
● Created a safespace environment for sensitive topics
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9. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Teambuilding Activity
● Met Challenge Team Members
● Teams worked together to create the item or scenario given
○ Make a GT, Make a Tea Party Scene, Reenact a playground memory, Make a
team name
● Teams had to describe their scenario and the thought process behind it to the facilitators
Leadership Challenges
● Made 8 teams of 5­6 with no overlaps in Schools
● Each team was given one of four challenges that came from one of the students responses
to “What is one social justice/diversity issue in your school?” and a researched facts
related to this issue
● Each team was asked to come up with a solution (social media campaign, task force,
policy change) to their presented issue
● One underclassmen in each team ran between the two teams working on the same prompt
to obtain and exchange ideas
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10. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Beachball Activity: Debrief
● Challenge groups that had similar topics were merged into two big groups
● College students led facilitated discussion on results from Challenges
● Student Leaders were given the opportunity to ask questions and debrief about the day
Conclusion
● Group Photo
● Each student was given a Certificate signed by co­chairs and Dr. Archie Ervin, Vice
President of Institute Diversity
● Take­away bags including t­shirts, admissions and summer camp information, cups, and
Tech Traditions
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11. Undergraduate Student Government Association
CDAC: High School Summit Summary
Moving Forward
● Send survey to student participants to capture feedback and impact
● Build a sustainable structure to allow for continued scaling and repeatability
● Expanding the Summit to include more students and greater reach into High Schools
● Shift High School Summit to a ​Fall ​event
● Solidify administrative contacts and a budget
● Discuss partnering with another student organization
● Reproducing a similar structure inside High Schools and Community Organizations
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