UC Diversity Conference
April 2010
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Carol Tonge Mack
◦ Associate Academic Director
UC Center for Exploratory Studies
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Tara Stopfel Warden
◦ Assistant Dean & Director
McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
UC Center for Exploratory Studies

The Advising Centers and Team
◦ Center for Exploratory Studies
◦ McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
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Before the Beginning
◦ Placing an emphasis on cultural competence in the
university setting
◦ Diversity training @ University of North Texas
 NCBI – National Coalition Building Institute
 Equity & Diversity Conference
 Regular staff training - university & department levels
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Carol’s Pivotal Role
◦ Previous work with University of New Hampshire
 Co-chair, Diversity Team
 President’s Commission on the Status of People of
Color
 Missing link: learning about cultural differences after
transition to UC
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UC’s Obvious Needs
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Advisor Qualities & Hiring Priorities
◦ Building the right team is critical
 “Has demonstrable experience and perspective that genuinely
appreciates, understands, supports and effectively
accommodates diverse student backgrounds and experiences”
 “Can bring something special to the staff to further diversify
what we do to accommodate our students”
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Office Climate
◦ Create an inclusive, welcoming, appreciative,
supportive environment for all staff and students
◦ Priority for diversity communicated
◦ Atmosphere where no subject is off-limits
◦ Honest discourse and open, respectful discussions
◦ Room for improvement—politically correct slips
become educational opportunity
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Why Develop a Cultural Competence Series?
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Essential professional development
The need to be comfortable with any discussion
Staff development: learning more about your colleagues
Learning/teaching moments with students
Intentionally create opportunities for leadership
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How to Develop a Series
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◦ Decide on topics based on needs/learning outcomes
◦ Consider resources and opportunities (locations, people)
◦ Mix it up and keep it interesting and enjoyable!
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Cultures & Topics
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Arabic/Muslim
Chinese
Ghana/Antigua
GBLTQQ
Hispanic/Latino
Indian
Jewish
Korean
◦ General diversity
awareness
◦ Veterans
◦ Mental health
◦ Disability
◦ Racism
◦ Cultural
communication
◦ More…
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Formats & Venues
◦ Hands-on, interactive (ex. quilt, bead exercise)
◦ Lecture and interactive discussion w/known faculty
or staff member (sometimes include relevant food)
◦ Musical – Avenue Q
◦ Museums – Freedom Center & Holocaust Museum
◦ Faculty panel
◦ Restaurant
◦ Movie clips
◦ Diversity conference
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Participation by staff
◦ Most advisors attended every session unless
specific time conflict
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Outcomes
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Series was enjoyable – 100% agree
Improved relationships w/colleagues – 100% agree
Work w/students has improved – 100% agree
Anticipate future participation – 100% agree
Work environment is better – 89% agree
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Most valuable outcomes to staff
◦ Relationship building with colleagues
◦ Better awareness of students’ cultures
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Culture of more than respect – genuine
interest!
Impact on staff families
◦ Ex: children and in-laws
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Best unanticipated outcomes
◦ Involvement of known staff as “experts” engaged
people personally and generated more interest
◦ Staff development resulted from better knowledge
of each other
◦ Personal relationships and exploration have been
facilitated outside of work
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Examples
◦ Students from Qatar
◦ Taking course to learn more about other cultures
◦ Equality stickers on cars
◦ Safe zone/other cultural information in the office
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Dedicate one or more staff meetings to discuss
different cultures
Engage known faculty/staff as topic “experts”
Utilize free space on campus for mini-retreat such as
AACRC, Max Kade Center, etc
Attend diversity conference
Contact community leaders as presenters
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Urban League
YWCA
Greater Cincinnati Chamber
Skirball Museum
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In small group, discuss:
◦ Ethnic/cultural make-up of your students/staff
(include those most under-represented)
◦ Any cultural topics you want to learn or need more
information about
◦ Ideas or strategies for your unit to begin open
discussion and learning
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Preparation as global citizens
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Cultural competence must be intentional
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Create an office climate of cultural awareness
and sensitivity
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Assess needs and encourage feedback
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Have fun and continue to learn more!

Carol Tonge Mack
◦ carol.tongemack@uc.edu
◦ 513.556.6541

Tara Stopfel Warden
◦ tara.stopfel@uc.edu
◦ 513.556.6537