Keith Edwards to Present 'Ending Rape' Feb. 22

Keith Edwards will present “Ending Rape” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb.22 in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall at Western Washington University.

This event is free and open to the public.

This nationally recognized, award winning, and research proven presentation motivates men to be active in efforts to end rape on campus and offers specific strategies and practices all of us can engage in order to change the culture around rape on campus.

This presentation helps men identify what they have to gain from ending campus rape, empowers all college students to see the messages all around us that foster a rape culture on campus and in society at large, and challenges us to confront and intervene in the rape culture.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of the concepts of consent and the mis-education that our culture socializes us into around hooking up and having sex. Strategies are offered that will allow participants to play a part in ending rape according to their own comfort levels.

Keith received his bachelor's degree in Social Studies along with an education minor and teaching license from Hamline University. He also earned his master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University, and his doctorate from the College Student Personnel Administration program at the University of Maryland, where he completed his dissertation “Putting my man face on”: A grounded theory of college men’s gender identity development, which was recognized as Dissertation of the Year by ACPA – College Student Educators International in 2008.

Keith recently co-chaired ACPA’s Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence Prevention in Higher Education and co-edited the groups publication, Beyond Compliance: Addressing Sexual Violence in Higher Education. He is currently co-editing a book on responding and preventing sexual violence in higher education.

His scholarship interests include diversity and social justice education and college men’s issues from a feminist and social justice perspective. Keith is a national leader in social justice education having founded and served as Chair for ACPA’s Commission for Social Justice Educators. He has chaired and regularly serves as a faculty member for ACPA’s Residential Curriculum Institute and consults with campuses implementing an intentional student learning focused approach in student affairs. Keith was recognized by ACPA as a Diamond Honoree for his outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and to student affairs in 2013.

Keith was the Director of Campus Life at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN from 2007 – 2015 where he provided leadership for the areas of residential life, dining and card services, campus conduct, student activities, leadership development, orientation, sexual violence prevention, student learning and assessment, and Title IX investigations. He was an affiliate faculty member in the Leadership in Student Affairs program at the University of St. Thomas, where he taught graduate courses on diversity and social justice in higher education for 8 years.

Over the past 15 years Keith has spoken and consulted at more than 150 colleges and universities, presented more than 150 programs at national conferences, and has written more than 15 articles or book chapters on sexual violence prevention, men’s identity, social justice education, curricular approaches, and leadership. His research, writing, and speaking has received national awards and recognition including ACPA Dissertation of the Year and ACPA Diamond Honoree.

Keith is also a certified executive and leadership coach for individuals who are looking to move forward in any aspect of their life. Keith’s coaching approach is grounded in positive psychology research on what works, Zen practices and approaches to help you get out of your own way, and a social justice lens. More information about Keith can be found here.

This event was made possible by the Western Washington University Men’s Resiliency Program, University Residences, Residence Hall Association, University Athletics, Campus Recreation, Associated Students Womxn's Identity Resource Center, and Prevention and Wellness Services.

Representatives from Prevention and Wellness Services, Counseling Center, and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services will be able to provide information about campus and community resources at the event.

Consultation and Sexual Assault Support (CASAS) believes that violence can happen to anyone and it’s never the survivors fault. Students of all identities are welcome. The mission of CASAS is to meet every survivor where they are at in their journey of healing. CASAS provides a safe and confidential resource for students who have experienced violence. CASAS is located in Old Main 585 B and Viking Union 432 or can be reached at 360.650.3700. 

For additional information about sexual violence, support and reporting options, and other local resources, please visit Western's Together Against Sexual Violence website. Western is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodations, please contact as.disability@wwu.edu.