Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to join the fall 2026 UnderSTANding Our Community: A Belonging Series. Through two interactive sessions, participants will explore the history, impact and lived realities of anti-Blackness in higher education and within our Central Valley communities. Engage in meaningful dialogue, learn practical strategies for fostering inclusion and belonging and deepen your understanding of how we can create a more equitable campus environment.
Certificate of Completion: Participants who attend both workshops will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing their commitment to fostering inclusive excellence, belonging and community engagement at Stan State and beyond.
Register for the Workshop Series
Anti-Blackness in the Central Valley
Building on the themes from Part 1, this session focuses on how anti-Blackness manifests within the Central Valley’s social, educational and community contexts. Participants will examine local realities, engage in reflective discussion and identify opportunities to strengthen equity, inclusion and cross-community understanding throughout the region.
Dr. Mary Roaf is an Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at Stanislaus State whose teaching, research and community engagement focus on racial justice, educational equity and social change. A Fulbright Scholar and award-winning educator, her work explores the intersections of race, class and gender while advancing belonging and equity in educational and community settings.
Learn about Part 1: Understanding & Uprooting Anti-Blackness on College Campuses
Sponsored by the Community Engagement & Belonging Department and University Library.