What does it mean to be a minority student or faculty member of color at The Catholic University of America? This was the driving question at the 2023 CatholicU Teach-In, Belonging: How to Support Students and Faculty of Color at CatholicU, on April 25, 2023. The event was sponsored the National Catholic School of Social Service with logistical support from the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Sr. Thea Bowman Coordination and Implementation Committee.

The program opened with a welcome from Dean Jo Ann Regan, National Catholic School of Social Service, who addressed the importance of the subject being discussed, and introduced Professor Veryl Miles from the Columbus School of Law. Miles reiterated the importance of the discussion as a part of the University’s implementation of the Bowman Committee Recommendations to move the university forward in its commitment to become a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone on campus. Miles introduced the Teach-In facilitator, Professor Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Provost for the Office of Faculty Development, Howard University.

Professor Dark began by addressing how the term "Belonging" felt appropriate and truly described what the end result of the event should be, to make everyone feel as if they belong. She also discussed why this is an important topic for all universities, belonging builds confidence, makes everyone feel part of a community, supports overall mental health, and more.

The Teach-In looked at ways to identify implicit race bias and microaggressions that students and faculty color of often experience on campuses where they are in the minority, and how to help faculty members in becoming effective allies to students and colleagues of color in such situations. YouTube videos and hypothetical presentations were used to help attendees identify such conduct and best practices on how to address these situations effectively and with compassion.

Dr. Angela McRae, Director of the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence offered closing remarks and invited attendees to use the resources of the Center to help improve all aspects of teaching and learning effectiveness. To continue the implementation of the Bowman Committee Recommendations, more programming on ways to create a welcoming and supportive community on campus are being planned for the 2023-24 academic year.