Bard Graduate Programs Year in Review

Bard's Graduate Programs Review Progress on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in the 2020–21 Academic Year

Bard Master's of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Thanks to a generous grant from the Open Society University Network, the Bard MAT Program during 2021–22 will be engaging in a study of how it supports graduate students with learning and emotional needs. This self-study will be guided by a team of consultants led by Dr. David Parker and will culminate in professional development workshops on coaching for self-determination and advocacy. These workshops will be open to the participation of other Bard programs in spring 2022. In addition, the OSUN grant has allowed Bard MAT to retain the services of Sarah Cioffi, an expert in English Language Learning. Sarah will develop a field experience course to improve how our program prepares teachers to support ELLs. 

The Orchestra Now (TŌN)

• Committed to performance of works by diverse composers, including Tania Léon’s Acana, and the world premiere of Sarah Hennies’ Falling Together, among many others.
• Hosted TŌNteaches preconcert discussions with composers such as Tania Léon and chemist, novelist, and Beethoven aficionado Emmanuel Dongala, author of The Bridgetower Sonata: Sonata Mulattica.
• Delivered TŌNteaches masterclasses to youth orchestras in Kenya, Haiti, Mexico, and Peru, among others.
• Plans to host TŌNteaches masterclasses in the fall for the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in the Middle East.
• Launched strategic admissions initiatives with The Sphinx Organization and Filarmónica Joven de Colombia.
• Confirmed guest conductors Carlos Miguel Prieto and Joseph Young for the 2021–22 season.

Bard Graduate Center (BGC)

BGC DEI Newsletters:
April 2021 | February 2021 | November 2020
BGC News:
Ama Codjoe Joins BGC as Consulting Director of Equity and Inclusion
BGC Hosts Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Book Exhibition
BGC Teens Connect with NYC’s Underground Communities Through the Study of Objects

Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability (GPS)

• Bard GPS released its Anti-Racisim and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap. Building on the programs’ commitment to train anti-racist business, policy, and education leaders, Bard GPS developed a roadmap to guide the programs’ efforts in this work and create accountability. The development of the Roadmap was led by DEI consultants and Bard MBA alumni/ae Lauren Hill MBA ’18 and Martin Freeman MBA ’18. The full Roadmap can be viewed here and an abbreviated version is available here.
• Bard GPS faculty and staff are completing a three-part training with DEI expert Ebonè Bishop, founder and CEO of Evolv Culture, focused on supporting faculty efforts to embed training for anti-racist organizational leadership across the curriculum.
• Throughout the 2020–21 academic year, the Bard MBA DEI Committee conducted a complete review of the curriculum for all courses in order to deepen the Bard MBA program’s engagement with systemic racism, racial equity, and anti-racism. The Bard MBA Footprint Committed expanded its annual report to include a Social Impact and DEI section where you can read more about this curricular review.

Post Date: 10-02-2021