Session Title
How Clear is Your Lens? A Discussion About Diversity and Strategies for Inclusion Both In and Beyond the Classroom
Session Location
Eberhard Center 612
Session Start Date and Time
24-8-2011 11:00 AM
Session End Date and Time
24-8-2011 12:00 PM
Session Abstract
We come to GVSU with our individual perspectives on life and learning based on our home environment, our journey and all the things that make us who we are. The same is true for our students. How do we create an environment of inclusion given our diversity, our biases and our lens, our world view? This workshop examines ways of creating an inclusive instructional environment and techniques for helping students enhance their skills in creating an inclusive workplace on graduation.
Session Description
West Michigan and GVSU are becoming more diverse communities in every sense of the term; gender, sexual preference, religion, race and ethnicity, disabilities, countries of origin, and ages, to name a few characteristics of diversity. The 2010 census indicates that there is greater racial, ethnic and cultural diversity in the West Michigan population than ever before. This new information environment has also provided a global perspective that was not available to previous generations.
The stage is set for even greater diversity and the GVSU Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2008-2011 states: “We value a multiplicity of opinions and backgrounds and seek ways to incorporate the voices and experiences of all into our university. We value our local community and embrace the participation of individuals and groups from Michigan, the nation, and the world. We also encourage participation in educational opportunities abroad. In order to foster a healthy and diverse environment, we will act with integrity, communicate respectfully, and accept responsibility for our words and actions.” Our richness is our difference and our appreciation of such differences.
We all have the responsibility to find and implement ways to create a safe environment where difference can be articulated and celebrated. Techniques that faculty and students can use in creating inclusive work environments will be shared and practiced.
PowerPoint Presentation
Rules for the Road.pdf (28 kB)
Document Handout
How Clear is Your Lens? A Discussion About Diversity and Strategies for Inclusion Both In and Beyond the Classroom
Eberhard Center 612
We come to GVSU with our individual perspectives on life and learning based on our home environment, our journey and all the things that make us who we are. The same is true for our students. How do we create an environment of inclusion given our diversity, our biases and our lens, our world view? This workshop examines ways of creating an inclusive instructional environment and techniques for helping students enhance their skills in creating an inclusive workplace on graduation.