On Nov. 9, 2025, Moravian University’s Center for Inclusive Excellence hosted the Bridging The Gap Conference. The annual event looks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Moravian and to encourage historically underrepresented and marginalized students, as well as those focused on social change, to connect and discuss their experiences.
This year’s conference brought together over 20 students, faculty, staff, and guests from nearby universities, including the Union College of Union County, New Jersey, to explore how to strengthen campus communities of underrepresented students. This year’s theme was “Together Forward,” which builds upon last year’s theme, “Where do we go from here?”, showing that the path to equality and belonging is still ongoing.
The event began with a session at the Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences, then split off into a series of workshops, interactive discussions, and community-building. One session, “Redefining Leadership: The Importance of Everyday Actions,” was co-hosted by Dr. Sara McClelland and Dr. Natasha Woods, members of Moravian’s biology department. The two biologists discussed how to lead in our communities, reflecting on leadership qualities that can be used in our day-to-day lives.
Woods emphasized the importance of taking initiative, wherever you find yourself. “You don’t need a position to be a leader,” she said. For Woods, that could mean taking ownership of a group project, standing up for someone who feels unheard, or even trying to make people smile when they’re sad. “It’s about the choices we make. How we listen and how we treat others,” she said.
Audience members then took turns discussing the ways they’ve made changes in their lives, by either making a positive impact on someone else or by having an impact made on them.
Carla Gonzalez ’26, a nursing major at UCNJ, shared her experiences as a tutor and student ambassador, which helped her step out of her comfort zone and take the role of a mentor and a leader for others.
“I used the words assertive and presentable,” she said. “A leader always knows when to act and takes the initiative on situations while helping lead their team to success.”
Another session, “Living in Two Worlds: How to Navigate a PWI as a Latinx Student,” was hosted by Justin Otero, a graduate student intern at Moravian’s Center for Inclusive Excellence. Otero discussed his experience as a person of color in a predominantly white institution, and how it reflected parts of his life where he felt he lacked more “traditional” cultural knowledge, such as being able to speak Spanish.
“I wanted to discuss what it means to be authentic with yourself,” Otero said, explaining that his experience as a Latinx student in a PWI made him question his sense of belonging. He then opened the room to a discussion about what an inclusive environment would look like. Audience members suggested a range of ideas, such as listening closely and showing affection to others, as well as making newcomers feel welcome.
The conference did not have keynote speakers, as in years past, instead focusing on forging connections between attendees. The activities were designed to help attendees interact meaningfully with both presenters and their peers, ensuring that no one felt left out. Tables were covered with various icebreaker activities, including questions to test attendees’ decision-making (“If you were to be stranded on a deserted island with one item, what would it be?”) and to help them find common ground.
“I think today was a great way to connect with faculty and students,” said finance major Anthony Morillo ’27. “We could share our beliefs and experiences throughout life.”
At the end of the event, participants were able to network, setting the groundwork for collaboration that could occur outside the conference, which reflected the conference’s goal. By centering this year’s program on relationships and reflection rather than on formal lectures, Bridging the Gap 2025 created a space that wasn’t only educational but personal.
