Warner School hosts 2025 Equity Leadership Forum on advancing student learning and well-being

Experts will share strategies for strengthening school, family, and community partnerships

The University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development will host its 2025 Equity Leadership Forum on Wednesday, March 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the University of Rochester’s River Campus. This year’s forum, Leveraging Family and Community Assets to Support Student Learning and Emotional Health, will highlight successful models and best practices for engaging family and community partners to enhance student success.

Sponsored by the Warner School’s K-12 Educational Leadership Department, the forum will feature a panel of educational leaders and experts discussing strategies to foster collaboration between schools, families, and communities. Panelists will share insights on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that promote both academic achievement and emotional well-being and support students’ success in school. 

Moderated by Patrick McCue, assistant professor of K-12 educational leadership at the Warner School and a former school and district leader, the panel includes:

• Crystal Clark, Executive Director of Student Support Services, Rochester City School District
• Elizabeth Devaney, Director of Whole Child Connection, The Children’s Institute
• Joseph Jackson, Director of Wellness and Equity, Rush-Henrietta Central School District
• Brian Lewis, Executive Director of ROC the Future Alliance

Since 2019, the Warner School’s K-12 Educational Leadership Program has hosted this annual forum to raise awareness of research, policy, and best practices in K-12 education, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. 

“The Equity Leadership Forum provides a valuable opportunity for educators, families, and community members to engage in meaningful discussion about supporting student learning and emotional well-being,” says Patricia Vaughan-Brogan, assistant professor and director of the K-12 educational leadership program at the Warner School “By leveraging the strengths within our communities, we can foster lasting partnerships that enhance student success at every level.”

The event will explore key strategies, including building culturally responsive classrooms, strengthening family-school partnerships, and leveraging resources to support students. Topics will include effective partnership models, equitable school practices, and innovative approaches to creating inclusive learning environments.

The 2025 Equity Leadership Forum is free and open to the public. Melissa Sturge-Apple, interim dean of the Warner School, will deliver the opening remarks.

The forum will take place in Raymond F. LeChase Hall, Genrich-Rusling Room, on the University’s River Campus. Registration is required, with the option to attend either in person or virtually. Learn more and register at uofr.us/equity-forum-2025. (NOTE: Separate registration links are available for in-person attendance and virtual attendance.)