Workshops
Oregon Diversity Institute Workshops
Session I – 8:30 a.m.
Title: Terrorism, Nationalism, and Race in the Current Era
Presenter: William Y. Chin
Professor Chin will discuss how race intersects with terrorism, nationalism, and patriotism. Terrorism can be viewed as another “ism,” as the most recent “ism” threat but not the only one. In the past, other “ism” threats include German fascism, Japanese imperialism, and Soviet and Chinese communism. In each era of “ism” threat, the issue of race was implicated in the form of the U.S. government overacting against perceived threats by non-white Americans at home. For example, during World War II, the U.S. government rounded up and detained Japanese Americans because of the fear of Japanese imperialism. This past has lessons for the present.
Title: One Child at a Time
Presenter: Meies Matz
Effective and focused in-class instruction, geared to a diverse set of learners and multi-ethnic backgrounds, is the essential first step in the process of systemic change. This workshop will address the techniques, research and experiences that will enable the educator to be a catalyst for a wide spread reform.
Title: Exploring the Power of Diversity
Presenter: Jean Bonifas
Sivasailam Thiagarajan (better known as “Thiagi”) is master of interactive training activities designed to provide participants’ hands-on experience with issues, in a way that challenges and engages them in playful yet evocative inquiry. Professional development specialist and theatre artist Jean Bonifas of Springboard Productions facilitates some of Thiagi’s favorite diversity focused activities that illustrate: 1) how to make the best use of diversity in a group; 2) the behaviors associated with status and their consequences; 3) the causes and consequences of jumping to conclusions; 4) what if feels like to be excluded – and to be excluding.
Title: The “isms” or Stereotypes That Students Entering an Institution Have About Other Cultural Groups
Presenter: Katherine H. Betts
Presenter will demonstrate how these “isms” create barriers to communication and engagement and involvement in the overall college experience for students of color. Identity theories such as Cross-Helms will show that student go through a process in their identity based on lived experience and the impact of interactions of individuals from other races.
Title: From Ugly Behaviors to Illegal Discrimination: Strategies to Deal/Support/Survive
Presenter: Dr. Sandy Tsuneyoshi
On daily basis students, faculty, and staff from targeted groups on campuses are confronted with negative behaviors that create a hostile learning and working environment. Whether behaviors are the result of ignorance or prejudice, victims or bystanders can make choices about how to respond, e.g., no response to using critical thinking. Differential treatment can rise to the level of illegal discrimination with the resulting negative impact on the victim. This workshop will focus on ways to deal with “ugly” or negative behavior, and coping strategies, and exploring alternatives to problems with the current criteria and modern racism.
Title: How are We Really Doing? Conducting a Cultural Competency Audit and Creating a Plan for Improvement
Presenter: Jeff Painter
The purpose of this session is to present and frame the topic of “cultural competency” and fill in the often missing piece – How to take action! We will survey the 8-step Process for conducting a self-audit of an organization/agency (recommended by the National Center of Cultural Competency), which culminates in a 5-year strategic plan to address the findings. The presenter is currently guiding the SOESD’s School Improvement Team and some if its member districts through this process and has extensive experience using it with alcohol/drug treatment programs, health departments, public and private organizations, nonprofits and others.
Title: “Multicultural Me”
Presenter: Serena Ota St. Clair, Ph.D
Multicultural competency is developed in many ways. One foundational theme is fostering a deep understanding of self. Beginning with an overview of a recent doctoral study about the journey of developing multicultural competency, this session, will explore our cultural backgrounds, significant influences, and life choices that support our multicultural competency.
Title: Using Art to Bridge Diversity Issues
Presenter: Analee Fuentes
Using cross-cultural art exhibitions to bridge diversity issues and build community understanding. A workshop for educators on developing, promoting, curating, and administrating an Art exhibition and related educational activities. Session will include a walk-through of all processes leading up to the event, (soliciting artists, publicity, resources available, networking, insuring artwork, curatorial responsibilities, community outreach, etc.) examples of materials involved, a tour of the current exhibits in our galleries, (Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead, and the photography of Paulina Hermosillo) and an invitation to the Art reception and special lectures/festivities.
Session I and II – 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The 2007 ODI will be an institute within an institute this year as we host the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) as part of the conference workshop schedule. The NCBI will be held during the morning sessions on Saturday and participants should expect to attend the entire NCBI instead of moving to another session in the morning.
Title: National Coalition Building Institute
Presenter: Jodi Nelson
Co-presenter: Edie Blakley
Diversity is much more than race and ethnicity; it is the mosaic of who we are. Throughout our lives we have received messages about gender, sexual orientation, economic and social status, birthplace, etc. These messages have and continue to influence who we are and who we will become, and sometimes cause us to treat others with less than complete respect.
If you are someone who wants to make a difference and is ready for a stimulating day of challenge and active learning, plan to attend this National Coalition Building Institute 3 hour workshop. Facilitators will lead participants through a number exercises aimed at identifying and reducing prejudice, gaining a more in-depth understanding of ourselves, and of oppression and how it works. In addition to an increased level of awareness, participants will be introduced to specific skills that can empower them to become more effective leaders and allies for others.
Session II – 10:15 a.m.
Title: Reflexive, Relational, Recruitment Model for Native American Students
Presenter: Dr. Az Carmen
The “Reflexive, Relational, Recruitment Model” is designed to recruit Native American students into postsecondary education in greater numbers through incorporating culturally relevant cultural concepts into a university college recruitment plan. This model is designed to build long term relationships between Native American students, tribes, and colleges/universities as a means to increase trust and acceptance.
Title: Diversity and –isms in College Athletics
Presenter: John Saintignon
Join OSU basketball coach John Saintignon for an in depth examination of the relationship between diversity and college athletics, basketball in particular. John is also the Executive director of the Latino Coaches Association and will share his personal experiences growing up as a person of color interested in sports.
Title: Many Kinds of Natives in Oregon: Native identity as Self-federally, and Tribally-defined
Presenter: Jeff Painter
We will look at some of the widely diverse ways of being a Native person through the history of a local NW Native family in Oregon. Native in Oregon include those that are: recognized, unrecognized, terminated, re-organized, host tribes, and guest tribes. How have the various governmental and tribal policies contributed to: assimilation, conflicts, cultural confusion, and loss of traditions? How can we help to overcome these challenges as students, professionals, and community members? We will collaborate on ways of affirming all cultural ways of identifying ourselves through a process based on the NW Coastal tradition of the Potlatch.
Title: Why are There No Asians in Asia?
Presenter: Janet Nishihara
Co-presenter: Victoria Nguyen
This workshop provides an introduction to the history and current issues faced by today’s Asian Americans.
Title: A Love Ethic as the Foundation for Diversity Work
Presenter: Roslyn Farrington
This workshop will explore how we can embrace a love ethic as a foundation for our work in the field of diversity. We will explore how we can allow a love ethic to lead us in thought and action. We will also discuss how employing a love ethic can sustain us over time.
Title: “The Many Cultural Identities of the Slavs”
Presenter: Anya Sekino
The workshop will provide the audience with a brief overview of history and current relationships among several major cultural and ethnic groups commonly known as Slavs. “Who am I and where do I belong?” – has been a perpetual questions puzzling the minds of the many generations of the peoples inhabiting the territories of the former Russian Empire and later, the Soviet Union. Changing political structure at the home they left behind and challenges posed by immigration add to the complexity of the fundamental question. Cultural identity will be also explored in the context of acculturation.
Title: The Oregon Education Association’s Education for All Diversity Training
Presenter: Teresa Ferrer
The OEA Education for All diversity Training provides an opportunity for educators to individually and collectively examine th fundamental sociological and interpersonal issues that contribute to inequitable practice and access to learning. The active training modules serve to heighten both their professional and personal awareness of equity issues such as the dynamics of difference, dimensions of diversity, privilege, bias, affiliation, cultural lenses and cultural competency. This session will provide a brief and active overview of the training as a fundamental first step in assessing and addressing the cultural competency of providers and systems alike.
Session III – 1:45 p.m.
Title: Introduction to Gender Identity: Beyond the Male-Female Binary
Presenter: Tristen Shay
Co-presenter: Joanna Means
This workshop will challenge participants to look at their own assumptions about gender identity and how those assumptions may have developed. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of the basics of gender identity (including terminology and gender “myths”) and the problematic nature of a binary gender system. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss how they can use this new knowledge to inform their interactions with colleagues and students in classroom and student services settings.
Title: Study Circles on Diversity
Presenter: Rosalia Marquez
Co-presenters: Darwin Cisneros, Randy Taylor
Thurston High School students will facilitate a study circle on diversity. The Circle will give participants the opportunity to share their cultural experiences as they come together and discuss issues and concerns that are important to them. The Study Circle will be led by two trained student facilitators.
Title: Reinventing the Educational System
Presenter: Dr. Kurt Peters
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Title: Classroom Acceptance: Beyond the Liberal
Presenter: Taylor A. Marrow III
This workshop will examine how to maintain an open classroom where all views are accepted and nourished. It will look at supposed liberal bias and how instructors can engage students of all ethnic, racial, religious, and ability backgrounds. Through discussion and PowerPoint presentations this session will attempt to answer the following questions: 1) How can instructors maintains a safe classroom while encouraging all points of view? 2) How can instructors teach students to use evidence to support their views in a coherent and cogent way? 3) Why debate and disagreement are essential to a successful course? 4) How can instructors move past the liberal bias myth? After completing this session a person should have: 1) a better understanding of the importance of diverse views within the classroom 2) developed a sense of their own personal biases, 3) develop strategies for a more inclusive classroom.
Title: Community Support for Latinos/as
Presenter: Mercedes Gutierrez
Co-presenter: Analee Fuentes
A panel discussion with students and Latino/a community members to talk about what makes a campus (community college) supportive of Latino/a students.
Title: Deconstructing Colonialism in Higher Education to Promote Recruitment and Retention of Non-Majority Students
Presenter: Erica Marchand
Co-presenters: Karrie Walters, Gina Prendes-Lintel, Tatum Phan, Krista Chronister, Benedict McWhirter
Colonialism is defined as “the control of governing influence of a nation over a dependent people (dictionary.com, n.d.).” Though some would argue that literal colonization within U.S. borders is past, post-colonial ideas and power hierarchies persist. The proposed workshop is a group discussion of ways in which colleges and universities subscribe to and transmit colonial ideas to students, staff, and faulty, and how this affects recruitment and retention of non-majority students. The ultimate goals of the conversation are to develop our capacity to recognize colonialism in higher education and to generate ideas for moving past post-colonial structures with person and interpersonal choices, teaching, and action within educational systems.
Session III and IV – 1:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Title: Film & Discussion: “Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible”
Presenter: Eric Hansen
Co-presenter: Kristi Johnston
Shakti Butler’s brilliant new documentary is a must-see for all who are interested in justice, spiritual growth and community-building. It features the experiences of white women and men who have worked to gain insight into what it means to challenge notions of racism and white supremacy in the United States. Facilitated conversation follows.
Session IV – 3:15 p.m.
Title: Coordinated Community Response
Presenter: Jenny Woodson
This workshop will examine the development of a coordinated community response to battering in Linn County. Topics will include basic information about domestic violence/battering, sexual assault, and stalking, demographics of those affected, barriers to underserved populations accessing services, prevalence in Oregon, the process of developing collaborative partnerships, and challenges to this development.
Title:Tierra del Sol, the Value of a Language and Cultural Immersion Experience for Faculty and Students
Presenter: Dan McGrath
Co-presenter: Darryla Green
Dan and Darryla McGrath spent a sabbatical year living and working in southern Mexico. Dan works in agriculture for the OSU Extension where most of the workforce is Hispanic. Dan and the majority of farmers he works with do not speak Spanish and they do not know about Mexican history or cultures. The language and cultural immersion experience turned out to be a lot harder and a lot more valuable than they had anticipated. During the workshop, the audience will be engaged in discussing the value of immersion experiences and how we can work together to promote more opportunities for faculty, staff, students and others.
Title: Expanded Options Program – Legislated Post-Secondary Experience for High School Students…How’s It Is Working at LBCC
Presenter: Kathy Chafin
2006-2007 was the first year of implementation of SB300, a unique program supporting a post-secondary experience for at-risk youth. At LBCC over 200 students were able to access college classes funded by their high school. Students earned credit for both high school diplomas and college degrees. This workshop will describe how the program works as a collaborative partnership between the community college and area high schools, as well as efforts to help the students be successful and to persist with education after high school.
Title: Exploring Hidden Biases in Service
Presenter: Teri McKenzie
Co-presenter: Melissa Bentley
Many people choose to volunteer to help others, but are unaware of how their beliefs and values impact their relationship with those that they serve. This workshop will explore how our personal biases and experiences influence and shape our approach to service and activism. Participants will gain insights about how to interact with diverse communities respectfully.
Title: Assistive Technology: Tools That Open Doors
Presenter: Carol Raymundo
Learn about exciting technology that will help people enhance the ability to learn and succeed in the classroom and on the job. Just a simple computer program can help someone with a disability and can assist with retention and success for schools and employers. We will offer demonstrations and explanation of technology for access and equity on and off the job. This presentation will help bring awareness of the current assistive technology available. A blind person can read by hearing and a deaf person can hear by reading. These tools open doors at school and work You could even talk your documents tot type them!
Title: Film and Discussion: No Dumb Questions
Presenter: Luke Sugie
Co-presenter: Parcella Provence
This will be a 25-minute video followed by a discussion and opportunity to ask questions.
