Diversity Education Series

Cross Cultural Competence Series

Cultural competence is defined as a set of behaviors, attitudes, and policies that help organizations and staff work effectively with people of different cultures. This series explores the rich dynamics of cross cultural interactions and provides participants with knowledge and skill to increase their effectiveness in relating across cultural differences. Those who complete five of the six workshops in the series will receive a certificate of participation.

Diversity and Inclusive Language

Tuesday, January 14, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Renee Maldonado and Karen Roth

Language plays an important role in helping members of our community feel included. How we choose to say what we say, whether that be verbally, non-verbally, or over e-mail, can give others messages about our level of understanding and respect. This workshop will explore how our day-to-day language can be used to create a climate of equality on campus and can help to improve the quality of our work relationships.

Cross Cultural Communication

Tuesday, January 28th, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Moria Delgado and Karen Roth

Almost every interaction between two people is a cross cultural communication experience. Differences in language styles, patterns of speech, non-verbal cues and cultural values affect our ability to accurately understand one another. This workshop will explore some of the communication differences across various cultural groups and help to develop skills to interact inter-culturally.

Communication Across Gender in the Workplace

Tuesday, February 11th, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Kate Powers

This course will help participants explore the different communication styles of men and women in the workplace. The communication strengths and challenges of women and men will be examined and a powerful form of communication that bridges the differences will be introduced. This course will also address how to handle combative dialogue and how to improve listening skills.

Cross Culturally Competent Organizations

Tuesday, February 25, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Rachel Guerrero and Karen Roth

Cross culturally competent organizations are characterized by acceptance and respect for differences, careful attention to the dynamics of difference, adaptation of service models to meet the needs of those being served, and continuous expansion of cultural knowledge and resources. This workshop will assist participants in assessing their unit's level of competence in serving a diverse clientele and in creating a culturally affirming work environment. Strategies for improving the level of organizational competence will also be explored.

Intercultural Interviewing

Tuesday, March 4, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Karen Roth

Managers are challenged to understand and develop skills to respond to the needs of a multicultural workforce. In the important task of hiring the best candidate for a job, managers must be aware of how culture affects the way people communicate throughout the selection process. This workshop will help managers assess their own cultural values and explore how they affect the recruitment, interviewing and selection processes.

Managing Cross Cultural Conflict

Tuesday, March 18, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Greg Toya and Karen Roth

When conflict happens in the workplace it affects the productivity, morale and satisfaction of everyone in the unit. The different values, rules, work habits and communication styles of each of us increase the likelihood of misperceptions and misunderstandings. This workshop will explore how to facilitate a process of working through conflict from a cross cultural framework.

Understanding Diversity Series

This series is designed to offer participants an in depth opportunity to examine the many differences that exist in our community, and to gain a greater understanding of how we can work together to create a more bias-free environment on campus. Those who complete five of the six workshops in the series will receive a certificate of participation.

Understanding Diversity

Wednesday, October 30, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Mikael Villalobos and Catrina Wagner

This first workshop of the series will look at many of the differences we bring to the workplace, and how we can create an environment that is respectful and inclusive of everyone. Participants will explore how our unconscious bias may affect our ability to relate authentically to others across differences in ethnicity, gender, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, educational level, etc. A safe atmosphere will be fostered to encourage an open dialogue.

Understanding Religious Diversity

Wednesday, November 13, 1-4:30pm, Cabernet Room, Silo

Facilitated By: Fatima Mohamud and Karen Roth

Our campus community includes a rich diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. This provides us with both opportunities and challenges as we strive to create environments that respect our various values and observances. This workshop will offer strategies for honoring religious and spiritual differences in the workplace.

Unraveling Racism

Wednesday, January 22, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By:Judy Helfand

This workshop offers an opportunity for participants to explore their questions about race and ethnicity in a safe environment. Introducing a model developed by the presenters entitled, "Understanding Whiteness/Unraveling Racism: Tools for the Journey," participants will explore the cultural barriers to dismantling racism. By understanding the realities of privilege and power, we can participate more fully in antiracism work and foster an equitable campus community for everyone.

Understanding Disabilities

Wednesday, March 12, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Keltie Jones and Karen Roth

Each of us brings special talents and abilities to the campus. All too often our lack of knowledge about disabilities results in inaccurately assessing someone's skills. Those who attend this workshop will learn about the unique as well as varied experiences of people with disabilities and how to create a workplace that values the talents of everyone.

Understanding Sexual Orientation and Transgender

Wednesday, April 9, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Stephen Russell and Karen Roth

There are many misconceptions and stereotypes about people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT). This workshop will offer knowledge and information about the lives and experiences of people who are LGBT, and provide useful strategies for creating a work environment that is inclusive and respectful.

Understanding Generations at Work

Wednesday, April 23, 1-4:30pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Shaundra Brown and Karen Roth

There is a growing awareness of the "generational diversity" that exists in the workplace. Older, middle-aged and younger staff members may share common work tasks, but their values, approaches to work, communication styles and perceptions of each other may differ greatly. This workshop will explore some of the generational differences and provide useful approaches to creating a work environment that is productive and compatible for everyone.

Multicultural Leadership Programs

Building an inclusive environment that welcomes diversity requires the active participation of everyone in the organization. These workshops explore the topics that are essential for supervisors and leaders in the critical roles of creating equitable work environments. Particpants will gain valuable knowledge and skills to work and lead in a multicultural community.

Managing in a Diverse Community

Tuesday, November 14, 1-4:30pm, TB 121 Classroom

Facilitated By: Diana Russell and Karen Roth

Thursday, February 6, 8:30-noon, TB 121 Classroom

Facilitated By: Connie Melendy and Karen Roth

Tuesday, May 20, 1-4:30pm, TB 121 Classroom

Facilitated By: Emily Galindo and Karen Roth

This workshop is designed for supervisors and managers who want to examine how cultural bias may be affecting interactions within the workplace and what they can do to foster greater respect among colleagues. The topics to be covered include developing affirmative hiring practices, establishing diversity education plans for employees, responding to inappropriate behaviors and proactively building an atmosphere of inclusion and respect.

Diversity Awareness for New Supervisors

Tuesday, October 15, 1-4:30pm, TB 121 Classroom

Facilitated By: George Bynon and Karen Roth

Thursday, May 1, 8:30-11:30am, TB 121 Classroom

Facilitated By: Paula Shimada and Karen Roth

This workshop explores topics that are essential to all supervisors in their critical role of creating an equitable work environment for their employees. In this session, participants will develop skills in responding to challenging situations based on differences and gain practice in implementing proactive strategies that promote inclusion and respect.

Multicultural Leadership

Thursday, December 12, 8:30-noon, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Kristee Haggins and Karen Roth

Building an environment that welcomes diversity requires the active participation of everyone in the organization. In this endeavor, we all have talents and skills that we can offer regardless of whether we are in a formal "leadership" position. This workshop will provide a model for developing our knowledge and skills to work and lead in a multicultural community. Participants will gain practical information that can be applied at work, at home or in community organizations.

Coaching and Leadership in a Multicultural Workplace

Wednesday, April 30, 8:30-noon, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Estell Jones and Karen Roth

In a multicultural environment, we are challenged to create a climate where all members of the organization can excel. In this workshop, participants will explore the components of a high performing multicultural workplace and their impact on individual employees. We will also learn skills in modeling, coaching and leading that foster and value diversity.

Diversity Friday Film Series

This film series, part of the Valuing Diversity Series by Copeland Griggs Productions, shows how to work successfully in multicultural organizations. Dramatic illustration show how perceived as well as real cultural differences affect team work, relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and opportunities for advancement.

"Diversity at Work"

Friday, December 6, noon-1pm, East Conference Room, MU

Faciliated By: Steven Baissa and Lisa Sanders

This film, part of the Valuing Diversity Series by Copeland Griggs Productions, shows employees how to succeed in multicultural organizations. Dramatic illustrations show how perceived as well as real cultural differences affect team work, relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and opportunities for advancement.

"You Make the Difference"

Friday, February 7, noon-1pm, East Conference Room, MU

Facilitated By: Shaundra Brown and Karen Roth

This film, part of the Valuing Diversity Series by Copeland Griggs Productions, illustrates the necessity for staff members to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Dramas and interviews with workers explore the issues of sabotage, stereotypes, cultural differences, teamwork and environments that promote productivity.

"Communicating Across Cultures"

Friday, May 16, noon-1pm, Mee Room, MU

Facilitated By: Hieu Dovan and Karen Roth

This film, part of the Valuing Diversity Series by Copeland Griggs Productions, examines the differences in communication styles and the misunderstandings that can result as people from different cultures and backgrounds communicate with each other. Through dramatic illustrations, models for more effective communication are explored.