Helping Villa Maria students build the resilience that’s critical to their success.
All-Inclusive Student Support
Formed in partnership with renowned speaker, author, and trainer Duncan Kirkwood, the Center for Resiliency is another support service for students enrolled at Villa Maria College.
The Center will help students acquire fundamental skills that will help them overcome adversity to graduate from college and enter the workforce as a young professional who is prepared to begin a successful career in their field of choice.
In Class and On Campus
In addition to helping students learn how to move past unexpected setbacks, it will become part of the College’s Core 101 curriculum, which works to transform and empower new students to realize all facets of their potential. Resiliency is now an integral part of student life programming, and Villa students can participate in empowerment sessions hosted by Kirkwood.
Community Benefits
Local high schools and other community organizations are invited to work with us! Villa Maria and Duncan Kirkwood are working together to build a community that can endure any hardship and become better for it. Kirkwood will give his presentations on resiliency to local area high schools and other community organizations.
Meet Duncan Kirkwood
As an inner-city student, Duncan Kirkwood overcame wave after wave of setbacks to make it to graduation. With each challenge, Duncan learned new lessons that ultimately helped him thrive. Outside of Villa Maria, Kirkwood is a diversity, equity, and inclusion trainer and is the founder of Duncan Kirkwood Consulting, LLC. He has spent his professional life working to empower students, educators, organizations, and communities through his presentations. His mission is to ensure everyone has access to the critical tools needed to become the most resilient and best version of themselves. Kirkwood received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Alabama State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona and is a master resilience trainer for the Army National Guard.
Unleash Your Greatness
Join Duncan for Unleash Your Greatness, a two-day conference on resiliency, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Date: August 17-18, 2023
Cost: $500 per teacher/admin
Location: Villa Maria College – 240 Pine Ridge Road Buffalo, NY 14225
For more information, please contact the Center’s founding director, Duncan Kirkwood at 716.961.1805, [email protected], or fill out the form below to secure your spot at the conference.
If you need to pay via invoice please register using this link.
About Unleash Your Greatness
Welcome to the Duncan Kirkwood 2-day conference on resilience and diversity & inclusion training at Villa Maria College!
As an educator or professional, you understand the importance of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for your students or staff. That’s why we’re excited to offer this conference, designed to provide you with the tools and strategies you need to build resilience in yourself, your colleagues, or students, and create a more diverse and inclusive classroom.
Day 1 of the conference will focus on resilience, which is essential for success in both personal and professional life. Through a series of engaging and interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to bounce back from setbacks, stay focused on your goals, and develop a growth mindset. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to cultivate resilience in yourself, your colleagues, and your students.
Day 2 of the conference will be dedicated to diversity and inclusion training, where you’ll learn how to create an inclusive classroom or work environment that celebrates diversity and fosters equity for all. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and learn how to address issues of bias and discrimination in the classroom. Our expert speakers will share practical strategies for creating a safe and inclusive learning environment that empowers students from all backgrounds.
This 2-day conference is an excellent opportunity for educators and professionals to connect with like-minded individuals, learn new strategies for building resilience and inclusion, and gain the confidence needed to create a more positive and welcoming learning environment for students and staff. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to enhance your skills and make a positive impact on your school community. Register now to reserve your spot!
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