Mercy Summit

Wednesday, April 30

"Socioeconomic Status: Past Perils and Triumphs, Present Realities, Future Possibilities"

One of Salve Regina University's signature events, the annual Mercy Summit provides a vital space for the community to listen, engage and explore critical issues. This year’s theme examines the historical challenges and triumphs of
socioeconomic mobility, the present-day realities of systemic disparities, and the innovative strategies that can create a more equitable future. The Summit will provide a thought-provoking experience featuring fresh perspectives, evidence-based insights, and actionable solutions.

Summit Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

  • Develop a shared language around cross-cultural understanding that fosters inclusivity without creating barriers.
  • Gain confidence in arranging and engaging in meaningful cross-cultural interactions.
  • Create a personal or professional strategy for diversity on campus.
  • Join a community of learners committed to exchanging ideas in a nonjudgmental, collaborative environment.

Please note: When registering for the summit, participants should also register for one of the educational sessions listed below.

Register for the Summit

Summit Schedule

Unless noted otherwise, all events take place in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

  • 8:30-9 a.m. – Optional continental breakfast
  • 9 a.m. – Invocation by Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, vice president for mission, planning and innovation
  • 9:10 a.m. – Welcome and goals by Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, president
  • 9:20 a.m. – Keynote address by Dr. Noliwe Rooks: "Searching for the Light: Seeing Mary McLeod Bethune's North Star"
  • 10:45 a.m. – Educational concurrent sessions in O'Hare classrooms 
  • 12 p.m. – Intercultural competence development program presentation and award ceremony
  • 12:30 p.m. – Lunch in the O'Hare lobby (lunch provided)
  • 1:30 p.m. – Community discussions in O'Hare classrooms
  • 2:30 p.m. – Closing debrief

Educational Concurrent Sessions

Session 1: "South African Township Theatre Meets Carnivalesque in a Women’s Homeless Shelter Dorm"

Presenter: Dr. Tara Brooke Watkins, Salve Regina University

During an ethnographic community engagement project at a homeless shelter in Massachusetts, female guests experiencing homelessness shared their method of battling a sense of dehumanization and loss of control in their lives based on a period of economic loss. They held secret court sessions to process injustices within the shelter. Using a technique closely related to South African Township Theatre, the guests created full scenes depicting socioeconomic oppression with props and costumes found on hand in their surroundings and handed down sentences then privately acted out.

Session 2: "PERMA Model in the Classroom: Creating Inclusivity through a Positive Teaching Lens"

Presenter: Dr. Saaid A. Mendoza, Providence College

This pedological presentation will discuss how principles from positive psychology can be integrated to create more inclusive classrooms, especially for marginalized community members. Specifically, it will review Seligman's (2012) PERMA theory, an evidence-based framework for understanding and promoting personal wellbeing. The PERMA model is broken down into five key elements which can be independently pursued and are intrinsically motivating: Positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. The talk will review each of these components and provide examples of how instructors can infuse them into their classes to help their students flourish.

Session 3: "Understanding Belonging and Emotional Fit in College: Insights from Cultural and Positive Psychology"

Presenter: Dr. Smaranda I. Lawrie, Providence College

What does it truly mean to "belong" in college, and how does it impact student success? Lawrie's research explores the distinct roles of academic and social belonging, uncovering how different belonging profiles shape both academic performance and psychological well-being. Additionally, taking a cultural psychology lens, Lawrie investigates how emotional (mis)match - how well students understand and share the emotions of their peers - can influence first-generation students’ adjustment to college. The talk will highlight key findings from Lawrie's work, revealing surprising psychological mechanisms that drive student experiences. Lawrie will also discuss exciting ongoing research and offer practical recommendations for fostering student resilience and well-being on campus.

Session 4: "The Impact of Socioeconomic Inequality on Erasing Gender Affirming Care: How Younger Generations of Trans and Non-Binary Students Will Fare in a Post-Care World"

Presenter: Dr. Victoria Gonzalez, Salve Regina University

This presentation will explore the critical role of gender-affirming care in supporting the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary youth. It will delve into the medical, psychological and social benefits of providing access to gender-affirming care, which includes pronoun acceptance, hormone therapy, surgeries and mental health support. The presentation will also address the potential negative impacts on the reduction or elimination of these services on the economically marginalized trans and non-binary youth.

Session 5: "The Impacts of Systemic Stressors and Self-Care as Survival in Professional Spaces"

Presenter: Dr. Kathleen Muirhead, Salve Regina University

Communities are experiencing increasing levels of stress due to systemic dynamics, including socioeconomic challenges, current events and shifting policies. These stressors can lead to higher levels of burnout, anxiety and other mental health symptoms, and it can be difficult to address shifting collective dynamics while attempting to maintain functioning in professional and personal spaces. Self-care and self-compassion grounded in justice-centered concepts can help folks to navigate the day-to-day stresses that they can encounter and create a meaningful balance between engaging with larger systems and ensuring sustained wellness. In this session, participants will receive information regarding the history and purpose of self-care as an act of advocacy and will be provided with concrete steps to address their own mental health concerns.

Session 6: "HOPE (Hearing Other People's Perspectives): Dismantling Stereotypes of Persons Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness"

Presenters: Pasquale Moretti and Rev. Dr. Linda Forsberg, members of the Church Beyond the Walls, Providence

Thirteen years ago, a community called the Church Beyond the Walls (CBW) emerged from the Occupy Providence movement. CBW began when two Episcopal priests, Rev. Jennifer Pedrick and Rev. Edmund Harris, brought a children's red flyer wagon down to Burnside Park in Providence. The wagon was filled with sandwiches, hot beverages (it was December), warm socks and Holy Eucharist. They set up a makeshift altar and had a simple worship service, followed by a community meal, for those camping out in Burnside Park who were part of the Occupy Providence movement. The people camping out asked if they could come back the following week. They have not missed a week in over 13 years.

Moretti experienced poverty and homelessness for over half his life. He first came to CBW for the community meal because he was hungry. He is now a leader of CBW, serving on the bishop's committee (leadership board) and as music leader.

Session 7: "Building Bridges Across Socioeconomic Divides: RICJ's Community-Centered Approach to Economic Justice"

Presenter: Rose Albert, Rhode Island for Community and Justice

This interactive session will explore Rhode Island for Community and Justice's (RICJ) innovative approaches to addressing socioeconomic disparities through community-centered dialogue and action. Drawing on over 70 years of experience promoting understanding and respect across differences, RICJ will demonstrate how cross-cultural communication strategies can dismantle barriers to economic mobility and create pathways for collaborative community solutions.

Session 8: Developing Equity-Oriented Teachers

Panel facilitators: Drs. Kimberly Behan, Holly Moore and Tracy Pelkowski, Salve Regina University

In this panel discussion, students from the early childhood, elementary and secondary education programs will share their thoughts and experiences on teaching students from diverse socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds. By centering questions on coursework and field placements, participants will discover what has been both impactful and challenging for Salve students throughout their development as equity-oriented teachers.

Session 9: "Navigating Field Research in Fragile Countries: Academic, Cultural and Ethical Accountability"

Presenter: Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga, Salve Regina University

How can scholars navigate the complexity of field research and reporting in context of fragile countries? Based on the adaptation theory, this session will explore the complexity of conducting policy-relevant research in fragile environments while focusing on upholding academic, cultural and ethical accountability.