About the session

This workshop will allow participants to engage in a deeper dialogue around Imposter Syndrome through team building and small group activities, individual reflection, and large group discussions. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the origins and reflect on ways to challenge the organizational practices and norms that allow for one to question their legitimacy.  Finally, participants will learn about strategies to reframe the construct of imposter syndrome, while doing work to enhance agency aid in individuals to shift from feeling like an imposter to resistor.  This topic is incredibly relevant because of both the interpersonal opportunity to aid someone in shifting toward being a resistor and the ability to address the cultural practices, policies, systems, structures, and beliefs that allow some to question their inclusion and legitimacy.  

Keynote Biography

Elizabeth LaFray is a historian, educator and higher education administrator with 14 years of professional experience.  Before joining Ross, she was an Associate Professor of History at Siena Heights University, served on national and state educational and professional committees, and co-directed grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  She completed her PhD in History at Central Michigan University where she researched pre-modern Mediterranean gendered concepts of the soul and self. Elizabeth is committed to creating and fostering a sense of belonging for all students through equity-centered knowledge and lifelong learning. 

Thomn Bell is a critical race scholar/practitioner with 18 years of professional experience. Thomn is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and oversees the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  Prior to joining Ross, he served as director of the Center for Educator Preparation and as the inaugural managing director of the Urban Institute for Racial, Economic & Environmental Justice, both at U-M Flint, and as assistant professor of education and director of accreditation at Madonna University. He completed his PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University (CSU), where he researched whiteness and white supremacy in the educational project. He also earned an MS from CSU in higher education and a BS from Grand Valley State University.  Thomn is also a partner and the parent of three amazing humans.