Back by popular demand, the Culture Building Institute Diversity Certificate Program will continue to offer training sessions beginning this month.
Hosted by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement, the certificate program aims to enhance the UT campus culture via discussions, trainings, role-play scenarios, guest speakers and book discussions.
“In addition to the traditional classroom workshop-style sessions, we have been adding in a few experiential learning sessions with great response,” said Jeff Witt, program manager in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement, and coordinator for the diversity certificate program. “This semester, the experiential learning sessions include the film “Half the Sky,” a docent-guided tour in the Toledo Museum of Art, a lecture from author Michael Kimmel, and a book discussion focused on race relations.”
With a program offering similar to fall 2013, participants need to complete the seven mandatory sessions and four of the seven optional sessions. The mandatory sessions include trainings on social psychology and diversity, global citizenship, supplier diversity and minority business development, measuring diversity, harassment and bullying, interpersonal communication, and disability awareness: reasonable accommodation and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Optional sessions include a film screening, LGBTQ training, art museum tour, gender equality lecture, and discussions on aging, race, religion and gender identity.
“I most enjoyed learning about the supplier diversity and minority business development programs,” said Carol Bryan, UT instructor in the College of Nursing, who received the diversity certificate last fall. “Opening doors and supporting our diverse students in their business and professional ventures as well as working with community-based minority business development programs support the relevance of UT in the local community, northwest Ohio and ultimately the global marketplace.”
Sixteen people completed the diversity certificate program last fall, bringing the total number of graduates to 35 since it began in spring 2013. Even though the training takes about 45 hours to complete, participants can opt to complete the certificate requirements over two semesters instead of one.
“I really enjoyed participating in the Culture Building Institute Diversity Certificate Program as it not only allowed me to further educate myself, but also introduced me to new people across all campuses of UT,” said Kari Dilworth, success coach in YouCollege, who received the diversity certificate last fall. “It is a very flexible program that I was able to complete over two semesters, and I would recommend it to everyone at UT no matter what your position.”
“We are proud that this certificate aligns with the mission and core values of the University and that it is the only program of its kind in northwest Ohio,” said Dr. Shanda Gore, associate vice president for equity, diversity and community engagement, and chief diversity officer.
The certificate program is free to all UT faculty and staff. To find out more or to register, visit utoledo.edu/diversity/training and download the diversity certificate registration form. The completed form should be sent to Eva Curtis in the Office of Quality and Continuous Learning, mail stop 103.
The deadline to register for the spring diversity certificate program is Monday, Feb. 10, but participants of individual sessions can register up to a week prior to the program. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
For more information on the program or sessions, contact Witt at 419.530.8573 or jeffery.witt@utoledo.edu.
For questions regarding registration, contact Curtis at 419.530.2036 or eva.curtis@utoledo.edu.
