Saturdays With Andre

Andre M. Koen:
May 30, 2013

Good Afternoon AGS Faculty Members

I write today to strongly encourage your support of the work Andre Koen is doing with our students. As we implement a dedicated Diversity Initiative here at the Adler Graduate School, Andre and his work are vitally important ingredients. His "Saturdays With Andre" forums represent exceptional opportunities for stimulating our students (and others, including faculty members, who may choose to attend) to think more about the challenges and privilege of working with a variety of people and issues. Unfortunately, his forums are under-attended, relative to their importance. As faculty members, you can do something to change that.

Encourage your students to attend Andre's forums when they are in class on those Saturdays when Andre is working. Better yet, show your support for Andre's work by appropriating some time for their attendance at these forums. For example, offer a bit more time for the mid-day lunch period so as to facilitate attendance. Believe me, any time you give to Andre, no matter what the course is you are teaching, will add value to the things you are trying to accomplish in your course.

In closing, our Diversity Initiative is a very important priority here at AGS. I (and AGS's Board of Directors) consider it vitally important to AGS's ongoing relevance and, ultimately, our positive influence on the community. We are all expected to contribute to this Diversity Initiative enterprise. As it gathers momentum, once again, I will appreciate your support for Andre Koen and the imaginative work he is doing on our behalf.

A notice concerning his next June 15th forum appears below.

Thank you.

Dan Haugen AGS President


The Picked Heart



Why don't people smile? Hello seems to fall on deaf ears. Why does it seem as though people are so callous? In this session we will explore why hurt people seem to hurt people.

Our discussion will include methods of creating space in our wounded heart to be picked by something beautiful or to be touched by the generosity of another. We will talk about how to nurture a healing heart for yourself and others.


LUNCH PROVIDED FOR ADLER
STUDENTS WHO PREREGISTER
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6731306519/es2/?rank=1


André Koen is an energetic presenter, a powerful communicator, and a dynamic teacher. Now a full-time trainer and facilitator, André most recently served as the EEO/Affirmative Action Diversity Coordinator for Anoka County, educating the community about the law and diversity issues. His master's in Educational Technology from the University of St. Thomas and his improvisational comedy skills make him an engaging speaker. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Adler Graduate School. André believes that people possess the ability to empower themselves, and that belief is made manifest by his unique style of teaching.