Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Inclusion in the Classroom, Department and University 9 th Annual Niagara University International Conference on Teaching and Learning Dr. Mathew L. Ouellett January 13, 2010 Plenary Session II 1Niagara University, January 2010

Defining our terms … – Everyone Included in Diversity Discussion Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Age, Disability Status, Others – but remain attentive to historic issues of access and equity Students, Faculty, Staff, Administrators – Connect Diversity to Core Mission of the Institution Across Teaching, Learning, Research, Strategy, Performance, Assessment, etc. – Cultural Competency as a Leadership Skill in 21 st Century – Diversity change efforts need to utilize a comprehensive, systemic change process. 2Niagara University, January 2010

Integrating it all… Identify one new diversity-related thing you learned at this conference Identify one new diversity-related thing you are willing to implement. What support do you need to do this (from colleagues, students, institutionally, etc) Niagara University, January 20103

One example… My operative definition of Diversity is multi-tiered in that I understand it to have individual as well as social group parameters. Diversity: the focus and concern for the full inclusion of the members of all social identity groups (e.g., race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, and ability, as well as cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations) and the respect of individual differences (e.g., personality, learning styles, and life experiences) In organizations, I’d go on to address the mission, values, policies, operational practices, behaviors and culture of the campus and the community it resides in. 4Niagara University, January 2010

Systemic Perspective on Change Multicultural Organizational Development: a systems change process for enhancing social justice and social diversity in higher education, as well as organizations generally. 5Niagara University, January 2010

Environmental Dynamics Influencing Diversity on Campus Shifting Demographics – Increasing diversity of student body nationwide Persistent Societal Inequities – Achievement gap; access issues; affordability Political & Legal Dynamics – Recent rulings on affirmative action Workforce Needs – Knowledge Economy – Interconnected Global Economy Other influences? 6Niagara University, January 2010

Challenges with Effecting Change around Diversity in H. E. Campus Change Agenda Crisis Driven Change efforts not inclusive; only involve certain segments of institution Focus on Individual behavior change- not systems change Lack of a Vision of Change and/or unable to translate the vision into tangible outcomes throughout the organization Low levels of institutional support from Senior Leadership 7Niagara University, January 2010

Continued… Resistance to Allocating Sufficient Financial, Human, Technical and Symbolic Resources Lack of Systems Orientation and systems change strategy Lack of Comprehensive Framework to Measure Outcomes of Change Efforts Failure to Establish Accountability Focus more on planning than sustained implementation Other dynamics? 8Niagara University, January 2010

Brief Write What differences have you noticed in your students’ cultural and individual learning styles, communication and interaction styles? 9Niagara University, January 2010

Getting the big picture… Stand back from the immediate experience of the course and, briefly, describe two things: where may students “be coming from” as they enter this course? And, how they might the ideas, knowledge, skills and values from the course be used in their personal, professional, social, and civic lives after graduation? Adapted from Fink, L. D., & Fink, A. K. (2009). Designing Courses for Significant Learning: Voices of experience. New directions for teaching and learning, No San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 10Niagara University, January 2010

Department / Institutional Goals For example, to graduate women and men who: Think and act globally Approach problems with a multi-disciplinary point of view Have a desire to make the world (and not just themselves) better off Create new knowledge from the information presented to them

Inclusion The active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in people, in the curriculum, in the co- curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect—in ways that increase one’s awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions. ( AAC&U – Inclusive Excellence) 12Niagara University, January 2010

MCOD Systems Change Process 1. Identifying & Developing Change Agent Team 4. Change Planning & Implementation 2. Determining System Readiness 3. Assessment & Benchmarking Evaluate, Renew, & Redo 13Niagara University, January 2010 Jackson, B. (2005 ). The Theory and Practice of Multicultural Organization Development in Education. In M. Ouellett (Ed.) Teaching Inclusively: Resources for Course, Department and Institutional Change in Higher Education. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. (p. 12)

Inclusive Assessment Assessment – the process of gathering information form multiple sources and indicators to make judgments about student learning, achievement, progress and performance. 14Niagara University, January 2010

Inclusive Planning Strategies Consider if all students are likely to have a background in the material Account for different approaches to learning Anticipate sensitive areas and prepare yourself and students Plan for accommodations for students with disabilities (be familiar with campus services and practices) 15Niagara University, January 2010

Further Resources Adams, M., Bell, L., Griffin, P. (2007). Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge. (second edition) Burgstahler, S., & Cory, R. (2008). Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education. Fink, L. D., & Fink, A. K. (2009). Designing Courses for Significant Learning: Voices of experience. New directions for teaching and learning, No San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Morey, A. & Kitano, M. K. (1997). Multicultural Course Transformation in Higher Education: A Broader Truth. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Ouellett, M. L. (Ed.) (2005). Teaching Inclusively: Resources for Course, Department & Institutional Change in Higher Education. Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press. Suskie, L. (2004). Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense guide. Bolton, MA: Anker. 16Niagara University, January 2010

The academy is not paradise. But learning is a place where paradise can be created. The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility. In that field of possibility we have the opportunity to labor for freedom, to demand of ourselves and our comrades, an openness of mind and heart that allows us to face reality even as we collectively imagine ways to move beyond boundaries, to transgress. This is education as the practice of freedom. Bell hooks, Niagara University, January 2010