The DIS Harvest Conference sponsored by the Department of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice (DIS) will take place on Oct. 14, 2021. The Harvest Conference will be a dual event, the first event will be taking place in Maucker Union from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

The first event will only be offered to UNI students. The application to sign up will close Tuesday, Oct. 12. Students will be excused from classes and provided breakfast and lunch. Seating is limited to 150 students.

Keynote speaker and former NFL player Jerry James (J.J.) Moses Jr., will be introduced by KWWL Sports Director Rick Coleman. This event is open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and will begin at 6:30 p.m  

The Harvest Conference was created for multicultural students to “reset, renew and refocus,” after hardships due to COVID-19.  

According to Interim Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Chiquita Loveless, the idea of harvest references “what’s already been planted. Once a harvest is completed a farmer, for example, has to prepare to renew, reset and refocus for the next set of crops.”

Each season brings new sets of challenges. Many UNI students and students across the state have faced challenges due to the restrictions and challenges  each semester continues to bring. For this reason in the early planning process for this conference, the main goal is to have students engage with professionals from a variety of fields.  

Many of the speakers are successful individuals in their respective fields that navigated many challenges. 

DIS invites students to attend with an open perspective and engage with professionals. Professionals come from all over Iowa, many of which are advocates in serving their community. 

DIS also invites the community to show support to Moses, a Waterloo native  who began his career in football in Waterloo East High School. Moses played for the Packers, Chiefs and the Houston Texans during his time in the NFL. Moses is now a motivational speaker and helps NFL athletes with their transition outside of the NFL. 

“We’re putting this on for the students, so we just don’t want students to miss a great opportunity to be able to,receive from great or from outstanding professionals that have a lot of perseverance,” Loveless said. 

With DIS Harvest Conferences around the corner, “DIS” is one not to miss out on. Students may contact [email protected] for more information or register using the QR code to sign up.