Consultant starts work with Gateway School District on diversity, equity, inclusion

Earlier this year, Gateway School Board approved a consulting contract for Dr. Anthony Kane Jr. regarding his knowledge in diversity, equity and inclusion. He will be assisting Gateway with utilizing its existing resources and possibly adding new ones to accomplish equity within the district.

Kane began his education at the California University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.

“I really gained a great appreciation for the whole person and really working with people, and in communities in general, to reach their full potential regardless of who they are or what social determinant might affect them,” said Kane. “I really had this dream and vision of using my social work degrees to influence communities and have an impact on people.”

Kane started his career at Duquesne University working with a minority development internship program, during which he was able to rotate between departments, and he was hired as a permanent employee in the resident life department within his first year of the program. Kane worked in this department for seven years promoting healthy and safe environments for college students.

In 2020, Kane was offered the position of head director of Diversity and Student Inclusion. He worked with students and faculty to further his work in creating a welcoming environment in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.

“I accepted it (the position) proudly,” said Kane, “mostly because of all of the things happening in the world at that time. It really provided a great opportunity to have an impact.”

During his employment in 2019, Kane earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Duquesne. His doctorate was rounded in DEI principles and enabled him to become familiar with and begin working in the subject. Kane’s dissertation was based around race, sense of belonging and the African American student experience. This research gave Kane a base to begin his work as the director of Diversity and Inclusion.

“It was at a point where everyone felt obliged to do something for DEI,” said Kane. “I had the opportunity to do some consulting work with different industries, some businesses, corporations, nonprofits, other colleges and universities, and K-through-12 systems.”

‘I was really impressed’

Kane met Jack Bova, president of Gateway School Board, at a Duquesne University benefit dinner. Kane hosted the event to recognize student leaders for their efforts regarding DEI and their overall accomplishments across campus. Bova introduced himself to Kane and expressed interest in his attending a school board meeting to speak about his work.

“When the opportunity to get involved with Gateway came, and I was able to go through my standard process of identifying if this was a real effort or if this was just talk, I was really impressed at the work that the district had already been looking to do,” said Kane. “Of course, I heard about some of the challenges along the way with that work, but it really seemed like a great opportunity to be a part of something great and continue to have that DEI impact.”

Kane plans to engage every facet of the district during his work with Gateway. He sees the unique advantage of being able to interact with staff, students, parents and the community that he would not have working at a collegiate level.

“I think a good consultant, a good leader, is always editing or making adjustments to fit the specifications of the community that they’re in,” said Kane. “I think since I’ve done so much in college settings, I will have to keep in mind some of the barriers that exist in K through 12, but also, the new opportunities that a K-through-12 setting will present.”

Gathering facts

Starting out, most of Kane’s consulting sessions will be dedicated to fact gathering. This process will be used to gain more of an understanding of what resources currently exist and what resources may be needed. Kane will be gathering insight from people within the district and listening to their opinions about where the district can go with this work and how it will get there.

In order to utilize DEI teachings to their fullest potential, the district must decide if it is working from a student success perspective, student engagement perspective or a holistic community development plan.

“I think everyone will have a different opinion on it at first,” said Kane. “I think if we can all agree on what we should do first, we’ll be able to put our students in a position where they’re successful because of our efforts not solely based off of the fact that we were kind to them, or that we cared about them.”

Since the consultation work is in its early stages, Kane’s primary focus is to collaborate with staff, faculty and administration to build an understanding of what and who they believe Gateway is. Once this understanding is established, Kane is hoping to build up to a communication with parents and students.

“I think it is important that we all get to a point where we’re willing to understand and support one another across differences,” said Kane. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with Gateway School District and to meet a lot of the important people who are impacting the future generation as it relates to leadership and development. I’m happy for the potential result that we may agree on, but more than anything I am excited to learn Gateway’s full potential. The opportunities are limitless.”

Kane has since moved on from his work at Duquesne and is now assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. He has made a few appearances at community events, such as presenting at the July school board meeting and acting as the keynote speaker for the Rotary Club of Monroeville’s International Day of Peace event.

He and his family recently relocated to Monroeville and are excited to get to know more about the community with which Kane will be working closely.