Office of
Research and Creative Scholarship

Summit on Social Consciousness

The Social Consciousness Summit is an annual event at Andrews University designed to focus our attention on important social issues that have special relevance to our students, faculty, staff, and community. These events are designed to put the spotlight on current social ills and provide opportunities to advance awareness, intelligent dialogue, and agitate for change. Titles included The Rwanda Genocide, Refugees and Immigration, Poverty, Racial Justice, and COVID-19 Impact on Minorities.

ANNUAL THEMES

2024: Race. Religion. Reflections. Andrews University: The Institutional Saga (1960-1980) will run from February 29 to March 2, 2024. Each of the sessions will feature the screening of a video of individuals sharing their lived experiences at Andrews during the years 1960-1980s and will be followed by a panel discussion of experts that delve into the issues raised, celebrating our progress, while exploring growth opportunities. The Conference was sponsored by Andrews University and the Council of Independent Colleges (NetVUE).

2020: "COVID-19: Understanding and Breaking the Socio-Economic and Racial Disparities." The panel discussion explored reasons for the racial and socioeconomic disparities that have come to light in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and what these disparities reveal about the inequities that predated this pandemic; how the pandemic has worsened those inequities; and the policies and practices we can advocate for to begin the process of addressing them. The summit was hosted by the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of the Provost, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, and Spectrum Lakeland Health.

2018:  The Legacy of Dr. King: Are We Living the Dream?

2017:  Border Wars: A Summit on Refugees and Immigration

2016: "#IamAU2." A storytelling event for all ethnicities. (AU Agenda Announcement)

2015: "A Conversation on Race and Justice in America." The Summit included a keynote address by Paul Buckley and a documentary screening of "The New Jim Crow." (AU Agenda Announcement; Adventist Today)

2014: "The Poor Next Door: Poverty in America." Rachel Wade, Bonnie Bazata, and Taurus Montgomery were among the featured speakers. Breakout session presenters included Lucy Randall and Andrews University faculty Joel Raveloharimisy, Twyla Smith, Nicholas Miller, and Sarah Kimakwa.

2013: "Human Sex Trafficking: The Sale of Innocence." Featured speakers included Abigail Kuzma, deputy attorney general for the state of Indiana, and Annie Lobert, founder of Hookers for Jesus. (Adventist Today)

2012: "Lessons from Rwanda." The first Summit featured Carl Wilkens, former ADRA director in Rwanda, as the keynote speaker. (AU Agenda Announcement; Adventist Today)