The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) is looking for faculty and staff who are ready to begin potentially uncomfortable conversations.
Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion workshops will be offered this semester to help tackle tough questions involving culture and identity.
Mayuko Nakamura
“We’re reaching out to people who have limited exposure to diversity and inclusion and helping them explore ideas in a safe environment,” said Mayuko Nakamura of CTLT, one of the instructors of the workshops. “People may be scared to talk about topics—such as bias, privilege, and microagressions—because they feel they can be loaded terms, and are afraid discussions may offend others.”
The 75-minute workshops are designed to allow open conversations, and will include interactive activities. The aim of the sessions is to provide faculty and staff with tools to apply concepts of diversity and inclusion in their teaching and work. “These workshops provide a chance to stretch comfort zones and boundaries, but certainly not past a point where people can learn,” said Nakamura.
“This is about leaning into discomfort for people to learn more about themselves and others,” said Jason Vasquez of Student Counseling Services, who will co-teach the workshops. “These workshops are about opening up a dialogue about diversity and inclusion that we hope will have a positive impact on their work here at Illinois State.”
Registration is required for the workshops. Those who cannot make the workshops can request a presentation in their areas or units by contacting Nakamura at mnakamu@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-2628.
Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion workshops
Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Friday, October 14 • Noon to 1:15 p.m.
This seminar will help better define concepts like bias, prejudice, and discrimination. Participants will explore the nature of implicit bias, and discover tools to minimize bias in the classroom and in the workplace. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch to this discussion. Registration is required.
Microaggressions
Friday, October 28 • Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Microaggressions are small acts with potentially big effects—little behaviors that communicate derogatory slights towards a person or a group of people. In this workshop, participants will learn how to identify microaggressions and explore the role they play on campus. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch to this discussion. Registration is required.
Privilege and Power
Friday, November 11 • Noon to 1:15 p.m.
This seminar will help participants better understand the presence and absence of privileges based on identities. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to analyze how privilege and power exist and function in U.S. culture and how they impact our view of the world. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch to this discussion. Registration is required.
CTLT’s fall workshops and events are free and open to all faculty, staff, and graduate students on campus. Please note that non-faculty may be put on a wait list for some workshops until one business day before the event. Events are at CTLT’s facility at 301 S. Main St. unless otherwise noted.
