Micro-Seminar: How Did We Get Here? PART ONE

Micro-Seminars have two parts. Attendance to both parts is required. Registering for the PART ONE session will automatically enroll you in the PART TWO session on Friday.

Part 1: Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm (PST)
Part 2: Friday, August 23, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:30 am (PST)

With such an intense emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) over recent years, its actual intention has been lost, partly due to “DEI fatigue.” Furthermore, key events over the past few years, influencing the resurgence of DEIA activities and discussions, have been nearly forgotten - provoking the question "How Did We Get Here?"

This micro-seminar is intended to level set the true intentions of DEIA, dispel misperceptions, and establish a solid foundation from which USC students can carry into their interactions on and off campus.

Day 1 will cover DEIA history, terminology, and concepts.

Day 2 will focus on how to conduct meaningful conversations with peers, ultimately with the intent on fostering a greater sense of inclusion for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Lead By: Professor Christopher Riddick

While Atlanta, GA is where he resides, Christopher Riddick, EdD is a proud son of Gates, North Carolina. He has fifteen years of experience in the management consulting industry. He is currently a Principal Technical Advisor for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) at Logistics Management Institute (LMI), headquartered in Tysons, Virginia where he is responsible for leveraging his subject matter expertise to influence employee engagement and improve organizational culture. Prior to LMI, Professor Riddick served as a Principal and Head of Client Experience at ReadySet, a boutique DEIA consulting firm. Professor Riddick received both his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Analysis and Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Indiana University. He completed his Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California in 2017 where his dissertation focused on barriers to racial and ethnic staff diversity in nonprofit organizations.

In addition to his academic degrees, Professor Riddick has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business as well as a Change Management Advanced Practitioner Certification from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. He also has a Certificate in Education Policy Research from Duke University. Professor Riddick has continued his affiliation with USC, currently serving as an adjunct assistant professor in the Organnizational Change and Leadership Doctor of Education program where he teaches a variety of doctoral level courses focused on organizational change as well as DEIA. Professor Riddick is a devoted Tar Heel. He serves as a member of the UNC School of Education’s Board of Visitors and the UNC School of Government Foundation Advisory Board. He recently concluded service as a member of UNC’s Board of Visitors and the university’s Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Professor Riddick’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was recognized by his alma mater, where he was the alumni recipient of the 2022 Carolina Diversity Award. But, most importantly, Professor Riddick is a devoted husband and father of three. He is a lover of music, bacon, and bourbon and enjoys quality time with friends when any or all three are present.

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