Diverse Professional Roundtable Educational Meeting

Keynote speaker: Dr. Nadia Ward, Professor of Practice, Education
Clark University 

Dr. Ward has worked extensively with high-risk as well as high-achieving urban youths and their families in a variety of capacities. She has designed and evaluated academic enrichment and competence-enhancing substance abuse and violence prevention programs in school and community settings.

Additionally, Dr. Ward is a leader in comprehensive urban school reform efforts where she engages schools and communities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of systemic interventions designed to improve school climate, academic performance, and educational trajectories of low-income and minority youth.

Dr. Ward’s areas of expertise include school-based mental health, substance abuse prevention among youth, social-emotional learning, academic achievement, educational disparities, urban school reform, education policy, and school-based prevention.

Dr. Ward has presented at regional, national, and international conferences on topics related to systemic school reform, educational disparities, social-emotional learning, educational aspirations and attainment among urban adolescents, and school-based prevention. Her research has been published in recognized peer-reviewed journals. She has appeared on National Public Radio (NPR), CNN Money, and has been quoted in the New York Post, U.S. News & World Report, and SHAPE magazine. She has received numerous awards for her research, teaching, mentoring, and service to the community.

MISSION STATEMENT Diverse Professionals Roundtable (DPR) is a professional program of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, committed to the development of professional and personal relationships among leaders of racial and ethnic diversity in Central Massachusetts. The program serves as a resource for the vibrant business, educational, and civic community of Central Massachusetts on diversity-related issues critical to building inclusive organizations and peaceful communities. Through roundtable discussions and planned events targeted to advancing diversity and encouraging underrepresented emerging professionals, DPR members grow and expand their influence and make a positive impact on the Worcester community.