Student leaders got to hear from Dr. Liza Talusan yesterday. Her talk focused on self-care in unprecedented times. When we take care of ourselves, she said, we are able to let go of the idea that we have to be perfect, and we learn how to love ourselves—which allows us to create a space that welcomes others.
Talusan said her goal is to help student leaders better understand how their roles in leadership can improve through the lens of inclusion. She talked about how to structure and create more inclusive communities that focus on sense of belonging and engagement.
An educator, speaker, leader, and coach, Talusan facilitates conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege, and power, and creates environments that allow people to discuss these difficult topics openly.
Director of Inclusion and Community Life Erin Davey called Talusan one of her “DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] heroes.”
Talusan earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Connecticut College, a master’s degree in higher education administration from New York University, and a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Her certified coaching credentials are from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.
Her scholarship has been published in peer reviewed journals, edited collections, and online platforms, and she has been featured on a number of podcasts and interviews related to education, identity, and inclusion. She serves in a number of national organizations focused on education and equity, and she has consulted with more than 150 schools, organizations, and corporations across the country.