Richard Austin, Ph.D.
Richard Austin is a scholar-practitioner in urban education, youth development leader and former professional athlete whose work focuses on educational equity, student belonging and leadership development. He serves as director of Ignatian and Community Belonging at St. Ignatius High School, where he leads initiatives that foster inclusive, mission-driven school communities. He earned a doctorate in urban education from Cleveland State University.
The topic of his talk is Safe Spaces are Essential for Marginalized Students, But True Belonging Requires Institutions to Move Beyond Symbolic Inclusion and Create Systemic Change.