State College Conversation Series to Examine Policing, Race

State College is partnering with a local restorative justice organization to host a conversation series this fall that will examine the intersection of policing and race.

The series’ inaugural discussion is set for 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the State Theatre in downtown State College. A breakout session will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, at the State College Municipal Building. Those who can’t attend in person can watch virtually.

The conversation series is hosted by both the State College borough and Community Conferencing, a Centre County-based organization that works to provide forums that “allow people to transform their conflicts into cooperation through open dialogue.”

Oct. 25’s discussion will be moderated by former B94.5 radio host Jason Browne and Susan Marshall, a longtime State College Area High School counselor and Centre LGBTQA Support Network board member.

The conversation series will also feature a handful of panelists, including:

• Iris Richardson, Penn State Police and Public Safety’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Terry Watson, Strategies for Justice
• Dean Woodring, State College Police Department community engagement officer
• Lt. Kelly Aston, State College Police Department
• Nick Pressley, Pennsylvania State Director for AVIL (All Voting is Local)
• Shoba Wadhia, Penn State Law School/ associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion
• Anton Aluquin, 3/20 Coalition
• Patricia Best, former chair of the State College-Centre County mental health task force (2019-21)

Biographies for each moderator and panelist are available online.

While tickets are not required for the inaugural portion of the conversation series, guests are encouraged to fill out a registration survey online. The form also includes options to submit questions for panelists and offer suggestions for future discussion topics.

For more information about State College’s upcoming conversation series, visit the event’s website.