Micro-Credentialing: Fostering A Culturally Responsive Campus Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To earn this credential, please select 3 courses from the following list:

• Supporting The Asian Student Community: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  
• Ensuring Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In The Online Learning Environment
  
• DEI & International Students: Strategies For Attracting, Retaining & Growing This Student Population
  
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In Academic Advising: Challenges, Opportunities & Strategies
  
• Recruiting & Retaining Faculty & Staff Of Color: Challenges, Opportunities & Strategies
  
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices: How To Create An Inclusive Climate
  
• Implementing Universal Design To Support Your Campus’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Efforts
  
• Strategies To Foster LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the College Classroom
  
• How To Develop, Nurture & Enhance Cultural Competence On Campuses
• Reinventing DEI In Higher Education: Strategies For Funding, Resilience & Growth
  

Supporting The Asian Student Community: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Overview
The rise in anti-Asian violence and hate has left many Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Asian American students feeling fearful, isolated, and further marginalized. Many higher education institutions are committed to the success of all diverse student populations. Still, they sometimes fall short of supporting the Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Asian American student communities, which can lead to reports of low satisfaction rates and a dip in affinity when students become alumni.  This webinar will address the current racism, hate, and bias faced by Asian students and provide a historical perspective of racism toward these communities. The presenter will also identify opportunities for your institution to Stand in Solidarity with the Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Asian American students in meaningful, intentional, and equitable ways.

Objectives

• Examine current events that have sparked further feelings of marginalization, isolation, and invisibility within the Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and
  Asian American student communities.
  
• Learn more about the complex identities in the Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Asian American communities and discover external resources to support these communities
  
• Identify barriers that impede the success of the Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Asian American students within institutions of higher education
  
• Discover best practices and strategies to address the unique needs of the community inside and outside of the classroom

Presenter

Naomi Sigg

Ensuring Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In The Online Learning Environment

Overview
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many universities to develop plans to shift to an online learning environment, and since 2020, we have seen a continued shift toward virtual learning opportunities. As most institutions commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion values in their vision and mission statements, ensuring equity and inclusion for all students in the online learning environment is necessary to create integrity between values and actions.

In this presentation, participants will think intentionally about strategies they can utilize to ensure equity and inclusion, such as accessibility considerations, addressing microaggressions, and the importance of asynchronous opportunities. Participants will also learn skills to prevent and address exclusionary moments in the online classroom.

Objectives

• Analyze current classroom structure
  
• Identify strategies to address microaggressions and other exclusionary behaviors
  
• Apply best practices to create greater inclusion of all students in the online learning environment
  
• Identify campus resources to assist with creating greater inclusion in the online classroom

Presenter

Naomi Sigg

DEI & International Students: Strategies For Attracting, Retaining & Growing This Student Population

Overview
International students face unique challenges when they come to America to study. Some of these challenges are basic and obvious, such as the need to improve their English comprehension and learn to navigate a new cultural milieu. Others may be less obvious and more subtle. International students often feel lonely and isolated. They may find American students’ values, such as individualism, alien to their own. They may tend to gravitate to other students from their own nation or region to the exclusion of other American and international students.

Breaking down these barriers requires a menu of programs and procedures. These can include orientation courses, year-long transition courses, leadership retreats, mentoring programs, campus social and cultural events, and field trips. In addition, international students need to be sensitized and acclimatized to diversity within their own ranks and given effective strategies for comprehending and navigating their new American home away from home.

Objectives

• Understand the challenges facing international students in the U.S.
  
• Explore practical, pragmatic strategies and tactics for meeting international students’ sociocultural and psychological needs
  
• Investigate how a diverse international student body can enhance the institution’s DEI program to the benefit of both international and American students on our campuses

Presenter

Dr. Jim Castagnera 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In Academic Advising: Challenges, Opportunities & Strategies

Overview
“As institutions increase their attempts to diversify and expand the undergraduate college student population, there is a need to increase the academic resources and support services for their students, particularly for students of Color. Because of this, academic advisors play an integral role in the academic success and degree completion of their students. The ways in which they advise and perceive their students can impact the way their students navigate and make sense of the college environment. This relationship between faculty advisor and student is just one aspect of the academic advising experience. In addition to establishing a relationship with a faculty advisor, students of Color must also learn how their ethnic and racial identities influence these interactions and their larger college experiences.” - University of Colorado, Boulder

Many institutions have made significant progress in their efforts to recruit, retain, graduate and place students from diverse backgrounds in a position for personal and professional success after graduation. However, the truth is that many students of color face immense challenges in the academic world — many of their peers who do not identify similarly cannot understand or appreciate. Academic advisors can play a significant role in helping these students be more successful and making others more aware of the challenges they face as they help them reach their full potential. The active promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is essential to the ultimate success of all students. Academic advisors can, and should, take a leadership role in making sure the campus environment is supportive of all students at the institution.

This webinar will provide evidence-based best practices that can be used to help academic advisors be more mindful of their inherent responsibility to integrate and reinforce the basic tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the advising process at all levels. A huge part of this process involves mentoring and coaching students, not only in their respective disciplines, and educating others about the social mores and political minefields than can characterize higher education. Concrete strategies for embedding DEI concepts into the academic advising process will be presented, together with case studies, demonstrating how to maximize their effectiveness.

Objectives

• Review the current situation with respect to students of color on the contemporary college campus.
  
• Explore the obstacles that impede students of color from reaching their full potential at many higher education institutions.
  
• Investigate what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean personally to all students.
  
• Consider the role of institutional culture in the recruitment and retention of all students — especially students of color.
  
• Learn how to conduct a diversity, equity and inclusion needs analysis designed to reveal the strengths and weaknesses at their particular institution.
  
• Discuss how to translate the findings of the DEI needs analysis into a concrete action plan.
  
• Investigate the role of academic advisors in developing and implementing strategies designed to enhance DEI throughout the campus community.
  
• Examine evidence-based best practices in advising students of color.
  
• Critique real-life examples and case studies of effective and ineffective ways of integrating DEI into the academic advising process.
  
• Learn how to assess and anticipate the evolving DEI needs of the campus community.

Presenters

Dr. Aaron W. Hughey

Dr. Monica Galloway Burke

Recruiting & Retaining Faculty & Staff Of Color: Challenges, Opportunities & Strategies

Overview
Many institutions have made significant progress in their efforts to attract faculty and staff of color in their various academic, administrative, and student services departments. However, when it comes to retaining these talented and enthusiastic professionals, the record is somewhat less stellar. The truth is that many faculty and staff of color after they land a job in higher education, are not successful – or as successful as they could be – at turning the position into a career. For many faculty of color, in particular, this often translates into a failure to navigate the tenure and promotion process. The reality is faculty and staff of color face immense challenges in the academic world – challenges that many of their colleagues and academic supervisors do not really understand and, as such are ill-prepared to address.

This webinar will provide evidence-based best practices that can be used to help faculty and staff of color successfully adjust to their new positions in the academy and stay on a productive path toward a long and distinguished career. A huge part of this process involves mentoring and coaching these individuals in not only their respective disciplines or areas of expertise but also educating them as to the social mores and political minefields than can characterize higher education. Concrete strategies for retaining and supporting faculty and staff of color will be presented, together with case studies showing some of the pitfalls that can characterize the process.

Objectives

• Review the current situation with respect to faculty and staff of color on the contemporary college campus.
  
• Examine the challenges of recruiting/retaining faculty and staff of color in a virtual environment, especially given the realities of Covid 19
  
• Explore the reasons many faculty and staff of color do not reach their full potential at many institutions
  
• Consider the role of institutional culture in the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff of color
  
• Learn how to conduct a needs analysis regarding faculty and staff of color designed to reveal the strengths and weaknesses at their particular college or university
  
• Discuss how to translate the findings of the needs analysis to a concrete action plan
  
• Investigate the role of leadership in meeting the needs of faculty and staff of color
  
• Explore evidence-based best practices in the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff of color
  
• Critique real-life examples and case studies of effective and ineffective ways of interacting with faculty and staff of color
  
• Learn how to assess and anticipate the evolving needs of faculty and staff of color
  
• Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices: How To Create An Inclusive Climate

Presenters

Dr. Aaron W. Hughey

Dr. Monica Galloway Burke

Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices: How To Create An Inclusive Climate

Overview
Fostering student learning and engagement can be challenging in any educational environment, and even more challenging when that environment welcomes students of diverse backgrounds (e.g., students of varied demographic, socio-economic, cultural, linguistic, age, and ability characteristics). This webinar will discuss the most effective principles of culturally responsive teaching based on the pillars of inclusive course climate and teaching, culturally relevant curriculum, assessment, classroom practices, and diversity and inclusion in the classroom by utilizing students’ unique backgrounds and contributions. Specific examples, models, and templates for culturally relevant curriculum and assessment will be presented.

Objectives

• Understand the main principles for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom climate
  
• Learn how to assess students’ characteristics, learning preferences, and unique contributions
  
• Understand the principles of recognizing and discontinuing non-inclusive classroom practices
  
• Analyze their teaching practices and identify opportunities for application of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching strategies

Presenter

Masha Krsmanovic

Implementing Universal Design To Support Your Campus’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Efforts

Overview
Conversations in higher education about access, equity, and diversity are predicated on people being able to engage with ideas, content, peers, experts, and their local and state-wide communities. This interactive webinar will introduce you to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will discover how to implement UDL in the design of your online and tech-mediated course and service interactions, creating spaces for inclusive teaching and support practices to take place—in the classroom and beyond.

You’ll also find out where to look for help at your institution and in your learning management system (LMS): recent research from CAST and the Center for Universal Design in Education suggests that institutions whose faculty-support staff members use UDL, too, see better adoption rates and deeper penetration of UDL principles across all courses. This webinar uses active-learning techniques and provides use-them-now resources for participants. Especially by relating UDL to broader access benefits for all learners, this webinar’s activities serve as a model for participants to re-frame accessibility and inclusion conversations.

This webinar posits diversity in its most inclusive form: instead of relying solely on providing accommodation services to learners with disabilities—which is most often a last-minute, ad-hoc, reactive process—adopting UDL as part of an institution’s culture of course design, teaching practices, and support services allows all learners to benefit, regardless of their place on the ability spectrum.

This webinar assumes variety among participants and will feature multiple means of engagement throughout. The structure of the conversation follows the “10 and 2” best practice of chunking information into discrete blocks, interspersed with opportunities for participant reflection, reaction, and practice. Content and materials will be provided in multiple formats, and the presenter will practice verbal descriptions of visually-shared information throughout. Participants will always have at least +1 options for action and expression: e.g., working solo versus collaborating, using text chat features for reflection or using verbal feedback in order to communicate.

Objectives

• Learn how to incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) elements into your courses
  
• Design/retrofit existing course components using UDL principles
  
• Expand your institution’s use of UDL through five targeted, use-them-tomorrow techniques;
  
• Outline four initiatives that campus leaders always fund, regardless of budget or staffing concerns; and
  
• Craft a message to senior campus leaders about UDL that mirrors language used in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements.

Presenter

Thomas J. Tobin

Strategies To Foster LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the College Classroom

Overview
In this webinar, educators will learn specific strategies to foster greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the classroom setting. Using examples from both educational research and his own teaching experience, the presenter will share strategies to increase such inclusion efforts in multiple areas of the classroom experience.

Specifically, attendees will learn strategies to create a more culturally competent and supportive college classroom in the following areas:

• Syllabus design
• Management of classroom discussions
• Creation of online learning management systems (i.e. Blackboard, Moodle, Desire2Learn, Carmen, etc.) among others

Finally, this webinar will conclude by offering practical advice on how to ensure all students are invested in the process of fostering a more inclusive classroom environment for LGBTQ+ students. Specific pieces of information for managing these conversations will also be provided.

Given the nature of this webinar, attendees are expected to have at least one of the following:

• Some level of experience supporting LGBTQ+ college students
• Working knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community and its relevant terminology

Objectives

• Identify areas where LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies can be implemented in the college classroom
  
• Discuss specific strategies to foster greater inclusion for LGBTQ+ students in areas like pre-course planning and classroom management
  
• Provide practical advice about how to ensure all students are better invested in the process of LGBTQ+ inclusion in classroom settings

Presenter

Dorian Rhea Debussy, Ph.D

How To Develop, Nurture & Enhance Cultural Competence On Campuses

Overview
In 1929, Frigyes Karinthy proposed “Six Degrees of Separation,” a premise that everyone or thing can be associated with six connections. In this age of technology, social media, and the constant demand for “followers,” the notion that we have six or fewer connections points to each other is more accurate than ever imagined. But do these connection points make us more or less culturally competent? Or do they seem to divide and isolate the cultural awareness, sensitivity, appreciation, respect, and action?

Now is the time to stand up as leaders in a space that can be uncomfortable and downright fearful, to champion cultural competence in all areas on our campuses. This is not an easy undertaking and requires dedication, commitment, and guiding principles. This webinar will examine challenging questions, actions, and self-reflection to be culturally competent and to foster competency on campus.

Objectives

• Examine their perspectives of cultural competence
  
• Understand what cultural competence means
  
• Understand why cultural competence is important
  
• Identify ways to enhance cultural competence on campuses
  
• Explore barriers to developing cultural competence
  
• Identify strategies to move past resistance on campuses

Presenter

Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson 

Reinventing DEI In Higher Education: Strategies For Funding, Resilience & Growth

Overview
As the landscape of higher education rapidly evolves, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and divisions face unprecedented challenges with resources and finances. This interactive webinar explores reactive and innovative approaches to ensure the uninterrupted advancement of DEI initiatives in the face of budgetary shifts and reimagined priorities.

Through collaboration, attendees will gain insights into forging strategic partnerships across campus departments, fostering shared responsibility, and tapping into diverse networks to amplify available resources. The session will also spotlight innovative fundraising techniques, philanthropic endeavors, and grant-seeking endeavors that universities have used to bolster their DEI agendas.

Moreover, the webinar will highlight how aligning DEI missions and visions with institutional goals can secure essential support and foster a cohesive university community that drives meaningful change through unified efforts. This session will empower your institution's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by exploring innovative and proactive ways to overcome financial constraints and resource shortages.

Objectives

• Assess current resource and financial needs of your DEI office or division
  
• Identify alignment with DEI efforts and university vision, mission, and values
  
• Investigate funding opportunities with internal and external groups such as grants, non-profit organizations, and corporations
  
• Explore collaboration between institutional entities to support DEI efforts
  
• Understand unique institutional and cultural barriers to DEI funding and support and opportunities to surmount those challenges

Presenter

Naomi Sigg