WATCH NOW

Addressing Disparities at and around Marquette: Racism and COVID-19

TUESDAY, JUNE 16 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. CT

Presented by:

• Edith Hudson, Chief of Marquette University Police Department
  
• Patrick Kennelly, Arts ’07, Grad ’13, Director of Marquette University’s Center for Peacemaking
  
• Dr. William Welburn, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence for Marquette University’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Moderated by: Parisa Mahdavi Shirazi, Arts ’16, Program Associate of Marquette University’s Center for Peacemaking

Like you, we are grappling with racially motivated violence, the pandemic, and inequities facing our community, city, and country. Individually and collectively we recognize the harm that has been done and the need for transformation, healing, comfort, and support during these tumultuous times. As we begin the summer, Marquette remains focused and committed to our mission of Excellence, Faith, Leadership, and Service while supporting our students, employees, and neighborhood. Please join us for a discussion with three university leaders to learn about Marquette’s response to the two public health crises – the coronavirus pandemic and longstanding racism in our society.

This webinar is the first in a series focused on “access, equity, inclusion and belonging.” The series invites each of us to deepen our knowledge of, and responses to, historical and contemporary injustices and inequality. Such learning can be a powerful step through which — together — we can overcome injustice in our society. 

More about this session

Edith Hudson is chief of Marquette University Police Department and leads over 80 public safety professionals, including law enforcement officers, public safety officers, police dispatchers and other support staff. MUPD's patrol area includes all campus property and the community surrounding it. Hudson also leads the Department of Campus Safety team which includes the university's LIMO program and the safety services officers who are stationed in the dorms during overnight hours. Chief Hudson is the former assistant chief of police for the Milwaukee Police Department. She served MPD for 25 years in progressive leadership roles before she retired from active duty in good standing in November 2015. As assistant chief of MPD, Hudson was responsible for one-third of the department’s personnel — approximately 800 police and civilian employees. She said her dedication to community policing came when she took over command responsibilities for District 3, which includes Marquette University and its Near West Side neighborhood.

Dr. William Welburn is the vice president for inclusive excellence for Marquette University’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. As executive director, Dr. Welburn is responsible for leadership in setting a strategic direction on campus diversity and inclusion by working with faculty, administrative, staff and student communities on a range of issues leading toward a more inclusive Marquette. His office’s portfolio includes implementation of the university’s strategic planning theme “A Culture of Inclusion,” and in assisting the university in full implementation of actions recommended by planning and climate assessment.

Patrick Kennelly is the director of Marquette University's Center for Peacemaking and serves as the Principal Investigator for the Near West Side Partners' signature grant program known as PARC, Promoting Assets and Reducing Crime. Pat earned a BA and MLS from Marquette University. Pat was recently honored as one of Milwaukee Business Journal's Forty Under 40 and also is a Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Leader.

Parisa Mahdavi Shirazi is the program associate of Marquette University’s Center for Peacemaking and serves as a co-chair of Marquette’s Womxn of Color Employee Resource Group. Parisa holds a BA in Political Science and is pursuing a MED in Education Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. She also represents Marquette as an executive council member of the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

FROM MARQUETTE ON MEDIUM

It starts with each one of us

Individuals first must do their part in order for change to happen, or as Patrick Kennelly, director of Marquette’s Center of Peacemaking says:
“We have to resist all things that humiliate others and engage in self work to address things that need to change.”

When committed individuals come together in community — to support one another, call out wrong-doing, build trusting relationships — that is when a seismic shift can happen.

The popular webinar series, Beyond MU — Lifelong Learning, recently explored Marquette’s role in creating change with three university leaders who help to lead the charge.

Read the full story.