PRESENTERS: Joel Stillerman and  Denise Goerisch (Faculty)

Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many faculty, staff, and students have observed varying levels of (dis)engagement -- manifested as declining motivation, stress, and mental health challenges-- across the university. These challenges were disproportionately shouldered by women, people of color, low-income students, persons with preexisting health conditions, and persons with disabilities. While many may point to the pandemic as the cause of widespread disengagement, the pandemic only made the issue of disengagement more visible as the unequal burdens faced by minoritized faculty, staff, and students became starkly evident. In this workshop, we will review research identifying the causes of large-scale disengagement, different forms of disengagement, and possible solutions to this pervasive challenge.  We will highlight how long-standing patterns of exclusion or marginalization have intensified this challenge for less powerful groups within universities.  The workshop will include an interactive component in which participants will have the opportunity to describe their experiences of disengagement and also brainstorm possible actions we can take to make GVSU a healthier place for all members of our community. Workshop.