Tilford Conference

The Michael Tilford Conference provides an opportunity for those involved in education, in collaboration with community business leaders, to examine diversity in education and business by discussing the challenges and opportunities including:

• Inspire awareness of multiple dimensions of diversity, related practices of inclusion, and the transformation of education.
• Participate in workshops to learn about challenges and strategies for teaching diverse populations on campuses and in classrooms.
• Share your passion for teaching and interacting with students from all backgrounds.
• Reinforce the integration of multiple dimensions of diversity into student academic and personal development components.
• Explore how these strategies and practices translate into our businesses and broader communities

• Listening to visionary leaders who will inspire you to promote equity and awareness at your institution.
• Participating in workshops to learn about challenges teaching diverse populations on Kansas campuses.
• Sharing your passion for teaching and interacting with students regardless of race, gender, religion, and national origin.

This conference is named in memory of the late Dr. Michael Tilford, who passed away on November 6, 1996. Dr. Tilford was the Wichita State University (WSU) representative on the Regents Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee from its creation in 1994 until his death.

In 1969, Dr. Tilford was one of 100 African-American educators from across the country who received Ford Foundation Grants for advanced graduate study. He earned his doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 1970. Dr. Tilford also had a bachelor's degree from Langston University in mathematics/chemistry and a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in science education. He taught mathematics at Wichita West High School prior to teaching at WSU. In 1969 he was the Director of the Wichita Upward Bound Project. He was appointed Dean of the Graduate School of WSU in 1988 and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1994. Dr. Tilford chaired many organizations, and his committee work showed his commitment to the education of students traditionally underrepresented at the university level.

In the 1970s, he served on a committee that developed a successful proposal for the minority studies program. Also, he helped conduct a study of the institutional commitment to minorities at WSU.

For more information on the purpose and history of the Michael Tilford Conference, click this link that will redirect you to the Kansas Board of Regents website.