New Inclusive Education Leader Says Daily Actions Matter

Assistant Professor Mark Congdon brings award-winning work, experience to his new position

As Sacred Heart University’s new director of inclusive excellence education, Mark Congdon, Jr., will further his efforts preparing the SHU community to increase diversity competencies in an increasingly diverse world.

Congdon, an assistant professor in the communication & media department, has already been working diligently to foster inclusivity. He has spent two years on SHU’s Inclusive Excellence Advisory Council, which advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and he is among the first cohort of inclusive excellence fellows, who are dedicated to driving the University forward in expanding its culture of acceptance.

As an educator, he has connected SHU with the local community to address a range of social issues. He worked with his students to create SHU’s Uniting Hearts initiative, which leads projects that promote allyship on and off campus around social justice matters. In November, he will travel to Rome to accept the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities’ 2024 Uniservitate Global Service-Learning Award for the initiative.

His new responsibilities include supervising the creation and implementation of the Academy for Inclusive Excellence Education & Development. He will work closely with the Bias Education Support Team, the inclusive excellence fellows, members of the Office for Inclusive Excellence team and other SHU campus partners to finish producing the academy’s curricula, which will launch as a suite of education and development workshops that will be available for faculty, staff and student tracks.

“Mark was selected because of his consistent commitment to inclusive excellence education and its application in teaching, service learning and more,” said Maurice Nelson, SHU’s chief diversity & inclusion officer.

In a question-and-answer interview, Congdon shared how he plans to use his new role to help manage the University’s mission to advance social justice and increase cultural awareness.

What inspired you to take this position?

My journey to this role is deeply personal and rooted in my lived experiences. As a first-generation college student, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and someone with a learning disability and Tourette syndrome, I’ve navigated higher education from multiple perspectives of difference.

These experiences not only shaped my understanding of the critical importance of inclusive practices in academia, but also fueled my passion for creating equitable and welcoming spaces for all. I’m inspired by SHU’s mission to educate students in mind, body and spirit to make a difference in the global community.

What do you hope to achieve in your new role?

My overarching goal is to help establish SHU as a model for inclusive excellence in higher education. This isn’t just about implementing programs: it’s about fostering a cultural shift where inclusive excellence becomes part of our institutional DNA.

Working with Maurice Nelson and partners across the University, I hope to develop resources for a curriculum audit process, integrate inclusive excellence (IE) curriculum, enhance staff IE development, strengthen community relationships, develop metrics to measure success, expand student leadership in inclusive excellence and establish related college committees. This role allows me to ensure that our educational practices are inclusive and prepare our students to be ethical, empathetic leaders in an increasingly diverse world.

Why is it important that SHU focuses on inclusive excellence education?

Inclusive excellence education is essential. It’s a direct expression of our Catholic intellectual tradition, which calls on us to recognize the dignity and worth of every human being.

Embracing inclusive excellence doesn’t mean abandoning our own cultures or identities. Instead, it’s about creating an environment where everyone can authentically express themselves while learning from others. At SHU, we celebrate our Catholic heritage while working to ensure that we provide support for those from different backgrounds.

How will your previous two years on the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Council help you succeed in this new role?

My experience on the council has been invaluable in preparing me for this position. It’s given me a comprehensive view of SHU’s inclusive excellence landscape—our strengths, challenges and growth opportunities.

One of the most valuable aspects of the experience has been the opportunity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders across the University. I’ve worked with students and staff from various backgrounds. This has deepened my understanding of the unique needs and perspectives of different campus constituencies, which will be crucial as I develop and implement inclusive excellence initiatives of my own.

How does SHU help foster a desire to teach and learn more about inclusive excellence?

SHU fosters this desire through a multifaceted approach. Our leadership team has made a clear commitment to inclusive excellence, which sets the tone for our entire community. We’ve integrated inclusive excellence into our strategic plan, and we provide resources and support for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives.

Our multicultural and identity-based student organizations play a crucial role in fostering this desire. The Multicultural and Sexuality and Gender Equity (SAGE) centers serve as hubs for dialogue, cultural celebration and community building. These spaces don’t just support underrepresented students; they create opportunities for all students to engage with diverse perspectives and experiences.

How can students and faculty actively learn about and participate in inclusive excellence education?

Students can get involved with diverse student organizations, attend programs hosted by the Multicultural and SAGE centers and participate in programs like the Mentors Advocating for Cultural Connection Pioneers. These programs support individual students and create a ripple effect of inclusive practices throughout our community, where we are always exploring opportunities for collaborative projects.

For faculty and staff, we offer professional development workshops through our inclusive excellence education and development program. When it is established, the inclusive excellence academy will provide structured learning paths for deepening understanding of IE principles and practices.

Finally, I want to emphasize that inclusive excellence is about everyday actions. Whether we are speaking up against discrimination, learning about cultures different from our own or practicing empathy in our daily interactions, every member of our community can contribute to making SHU a more inclusive place.