Summary

OverviewCourageous spaces for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) faculty and staff significantly contribute to development and retention of our diverse social work faculty and staff. Social development in higher education provides support and mentoring while helping with recruitment and retention. In turn, this supports the education of our student population across the micro, mezzo, and macro systems of service.AbstractIn the USA, faculty of color continue to be underrepresented in universities. According to the Department of Education, 75 % of all professors were white, with nonwhite faculty contributing to only 25% of full-time positions in higher education. Given the failure to hire faculty of color in numbers that reflect the demographics of society, administrative positions for BIPOC faculty are scarce. There is also a lack of support and understanding of the issues faced by BIPOC faculty that affect retention once the hire has occurred.\ The Department of Social Work at MSU Denver intentionally diversifies our faculty and provides courageous spaces which support BIPOC faculty in thriving. These spaces have become a refuge for BIPOC faculty and students to receive support and mentoring as they navigate various dynamics in the Academy.\ There is compelling evidence to suggest that faculty of color do provide an essential contribution to undergraduate education in two ways. First, faculty of color employ a broader range of pedagogical techniques. Second, greater structural diversity among faculty leads to increased use of effective educational practices.\ This workshop will demonstrate how mentoring faculty of color, creating a welcoming culture, and creating spaces of belonging are key to retention of BIPOC faculty.\ \ Teaching Methods-1. Provide a mini-lesson\ 2. Small group work:o 3-minute reflection\ o Practice exerciseo Gallery exercise3. Debrief and action plan.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Retention, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, DEI, BIPOC, Latinae, Safe Space, Faculty, Staff, Students\