As part of Latinx Heritage Month at Georgia State University Sept. 15-Oct. 15, LACCHI and Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. will host an insightful presentation and discussion with Dr. Michael Benitez, a nationally acclaimed scholar in diversity, equity and inclusion - discussing the complexity of experiences and identities within Hispanic/Latina/o/x communities.
Dr. Benitez is Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Associate Professor for Multicultural Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
A leading scholar-practitioner and bold national voice on Hispanic/[email protected] culture over the last 20 years, Dr. Benitez touches on the ways in which culture and racial politics intersect among Latina/os. Dr. Benitez ruptures existing understandings grounded in social constructs and cultural practice, offering newer critical understandings and insight about how Latina/o people experience, navigate, and negotiate their multifaceted and nuanced identities in the U.S. This presentation addresses the complexity of Hispanic/Latina/o as a term, offering an examination of experiences and identities within Hispanic/Latina/o communities.
- When: Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Where: 25 Park Place, Room 223 (Lecture Hall)
The event is cosponsored by:
- The Latina/o/x, Chicana/o/x, Caribbean, Hispanic and Indigenous Faculty Affinity Group (LACCHI), a group of the university's Diverse Faculty Alliance
- Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
Read more about Dr. Benitez and register for the event below.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Michael Benitez is a nationally acclaimed scholar practitioner and seasoned educator in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education and a highly sought out speaker and consultant at colleges and universities, community organizations and corporations nation-wide and internationally. Over the last two decades, Dr. Benitez has served higher education in different capacities, ranging academic and student affairs, innovative programming, organizational culture and intercultural development, assessment and evaluation, diversity leadership and management, compliance.
Benitez has authored book chapters and articles on identity development, hip hop culture, cultural centers and ethnic studies, institutional research and campus climates, and faculty development, contributing to an array of scholarly and social outlets that range online magazines, databases, books, and peer reviewed journals throughout his career. He has been featured in educational documentaries, appeared on talk shows and is occasionally invited to contribute to and appear on podcasts and media outlets, addressing some of today's most pressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
Benitez is known for his insightful commentary and critical perspectives on social and cultural issues, practice of innovate equity and inclusion-based strategies, and his ability to speak heart-to-heart while bridging theory and scholarly inquiry with everyday life. Dr. Benitez has been recognized with multiple leadership and scholarly awards throughout his career, is highly engaged in community cultural work, and continues to serve as one of higher education’s leading and transformative change-makers and DEI leaders.
Dr. Benitez completed both his B.S. and M.Ed. at the Pennsylvania State University, where he gained interest in pursuing doctoral studies as a TRIO student and McNair Scholar and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Iowa State University School of Education. Presently, Dr. Benitez serves as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and Associate Professor or Multicultural Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Register for the Event
Register for this event by clicking the button below. A new registration form will open in Microsoft Forms.
Event Co-Sponsors
Additional Resources
Information provided by María Elena Bermúdez, LACCHI