Mississippi State University held a 2014 diversity conference called “From Conversations to Collaboration: Pathways to Diversity” Thursday and today.
James DelPrince, professor in the department of plant and soil sciences at MSU, said the conferences are a way of giving the university and other universities more knowledge about issues in terms of diversity that affect higher learning.
“The President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities holds a diversity conference every two years.  It is a way of providing our university community as well as attendees from other colleges and universities a way of learning about diversity issues facing higher education,” DelPrince said.
DelPrince said the conference includes various groups of people and is important because it gets students to participate in discussing the issues that affect them every day and help them be more successful in their college careers.  
“This year’s conference is important because it takes a grassroots approach to learning about diversity.  It is rich with opportunities for discussions and sharing.  We are also working to bring students to the discussion table, including undergraduate and graduate students. The conference will also focus on veterans, disabled students, the LGBT community and issues centering on retaining diverse students so that they can attain success by finishing their degrees,” DelPrince said.
DelPrince said he believes MSU encourages progression and accepts differences.
“MSU supports the progress of its students, staff and faculty.  A diverse campus, a community of those who embrace differences and are fortified by them, is stronger, wiser and poised to achieve greater success,” DelPrince said.
Rasheda Boddie-Forbes, assistant director at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at MSU, said she believes there is a greater focus on diversity in the U.S., and Institutions of Higher Learning should create more mixed settings.
“America has placed an increased emphasis on the value of diversity, so it’s not going away. But why should it? The success of every institution rests on its conscious effort to build healthy and diverse environments,” Boddie-Forbes said. 
Boddie-Forbes said she believes the conference will strengthen students’ college experience.
“I think the conference will enhance the educational experience of individuals.  People will essentially walk away being challenged to think about preconceptions they may, to learn how to communicate with individuals of varied backgrounds and have an appreciation for critical thinking and teamwork,” she said.
Amanda Alberti, Magnolia Hall Residence Director at MSU, said she believes the conference is important because students and faculty should understand how to communicate with each other in an effective manner and people should be more receptive to learning about each other.
“This conference is incredibly important for this generation of college students and staff,” Alberti said. “Our nation’s society is becoming a much more diverse one, and it is important that students and staff understand how to effectively interact with each other. You lose nothing by learning about the cultures and histories of the people around you, but you are potentially putting yourself at a disadvantage if you aren’t open to learning things about others.”
 Alberti also said she believes the conference gives the people at MSU a chance to build and strengthen relationships with colleges in the surrounding area.
“I believe this conference is a wonderful opportunity for Mississippi State University. It has allowed us to create relationships with surrounding institutions,” she said. “We also hope that the conference will help bridge relationships on campus between students, staff, faculty and administration. Each person comes to the table with a unique perspective on diversity. Our hope is that this conference will create a more cohesive Bulldog family,” Alberti said.