2025 Conference Keynote
Briselda Molina Ortega, Assistant Director of Graduate Student Experience
Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon
Keynote Abstract:
Connection is a fundamental human need. In this keynote, Briselda leverages a decade of knowledge and personal experiences as a BIPOC student affairs professional to explore the concepts of community, connection, and resilience. She will present five practices aimed to identify unspoken connection barriers in the workplace, as well as restorative approaches to cultivate authentic relationships and promote self-care and compassion. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen team dynamics and relationships with students that foster care and resilience in unprecedented times.
Bio:
Briselda is originally from Mexico and has resided in the United States for over 20 years. Her educational journey as an immigrant in the U.S. has profoundly shaped her personal and professional practice, fostering on the importance of community building for connection, social justice change, and student success. These themes are centered in her conference presentations and keynote speeches in hopes to bring understanding of the immigrant student experience, as well as how authentic relationship-building positively shapes the experiences of students and student affairs professionals at higher education institutions. Fearless, ambitious, and optimistic, she breaks stereotypes of Mexican women while treasuring her ethnic heritage. Her professional background includes 10 years of experience in various student affairs roles at higher education institutions, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Experience at the Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon, as well as her service as a human rights commissioner for the City of Eugene, and a steady commitment to the creation of student programming for meaningful connection and student success.
Connection is a fundamental human need. In this keynote, Briselda leverages a decade of knowledge and personal experiences as a BIPOC student affairs professional to explore the concepts of community, connection, and resilience. She will present five practices aimed to identify unspoken connection barriers in the workplace, as well as restorative approaches to cultivate authentic relationships and promote self-care and compassion. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen team dynamics and relationships with students that foster care and resilience in unprecedented times.
Bio:
Briselda is originally from Mexico and has resided in the United States for over 20 years. Her educational journey as an immigrant in the U.S. has profoundly shaped her personal and professional practice, fostering on the importance of community building for connection, social justice change, and student success. These themes are centered in her conference presentations and keynote speeches in hopes to bring understanding of the immigrant student experience, as well as how authentic relationship-building positively shapes the experiences of students and student affairs professionals at higher education institutions. Fearless, ambitious, and optimistic, she breaks stereotypes of Mexican women while treasuring her ethnic heritage. Her professional background includes 10 years of experience in various student affairs roles at higher education institutions, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Experience at the Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon, as well as her service as a human rights commissioner for the City of Eugene, and a steady commitment to the creation of student programming for meaningful connection and student success.