OVERVIEW
Washington State University Extension
Cultural Competency Training
The Washington State University Extension (WSUE) Culturally Competency Training
(CCT) is designed to assist extension educators and staff expand their skills in working
with diverse audiences. The overarching goals for the training are to assist participants:
 Become more aware of their own personal and organization cultures
 Examine how their personal and organizational cultures affect our ability to work
across difference in both negative and positive ways
 Build skills to increase competencies as we increasingly work with others who
are different from us
The training is based on the WSUE Culturally Competencies and is designed using key
adult education theory and practice that create a safe and welcoming environment for
all learners. The learning activities respect and support individual learning styles and
the participants’ life experiences are viewed as an important source of knowledge.
FORMAT OF TRAINING:
Ten training modules have been designed and piloted for the culturalcompetencies.
Each module is three hours long and currently is delivered in a face to face format.
Discussions are currently being held to determine the feasibility of creating on line
learning modules. Plans are underway to create additional modules focusing on
culturally competent program planning and evaluation and culturally competent
leadership.
Competency: Cultural Awareness: Module One
 Recognize his/her own culture(s), including Extension culture.
 Explore personal and cultural values, biases, prejudices and views.
 Identify similarities and differences among cultures.
 Identify ways in which culture shapes beliefs, practices, and values.
Competency: Cultural Understanding: Modules Two and Three
 Understand the developmental nature of cultural competencies.
 Describe issues and concerns which arise when values, beliefs, and practices
differ from those of the dominant culture.
 Recognize ways culture affects participation in extension programs and services.
Competency: Cultural Knowledge: Modules Three and Four
 Develop familiarity with specific cultures, especially the ways in which they differ
from one’s own.
 Use conceptual and theoretical models for understanding human culture.
 Identify appropriate cultural guides and build productive relationships with them.
Competency: Cultural Interaction: Modules Five, Six, Seven and Eight
 Recognize factors impacting successful intercultural communication.
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Use concepts and theories of intercultural communication.
Manage intercultural conflicts effectively.
Interact productively and seek input and guidance from cultural partners.
Form new programmatic partnerships across intercultural difference.
Competency: Cultural Sensitivity: Modules Nine and Ten
 Recognize the impact of privilege, inequality and oppression in daily contexts.
 Identify historical and sociological influences on specific cultural interactions.
For more information, contact: Mary Katherine Young Deen, Diversity Director
Washington State University Extension, 1300 5th St. Wells Hall #1060, Wenatchee, WA
98801; Tel: 509-662-4730; e-mail: mdeen@wsu.edu