N#TW*RK!NG MCUCSA JUNE 2014 Tori Svoboda, Ed.D. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS

INTROS What “diversity issues” are present on your campus? Why is this a topic for this group today? What hopes do you have for this conversation?

CLASS CONCEPTS Economic capital Social capital Cultural capital Habitus Field

(multi)CULTURAL CONCEPTS Acculturation v. assimilation Cultural suicide v. cultural integrity Variations in terms of: – collective v. individual identities – understanding of time, space, respect

COMMON CONCERNS Complications Micro-aggressions Savior Complex Stereotype Threat Deficit Ideology Considerations Solidarity with rather than charity for Systems, not students, need fixing Relationships are a necessary precursor to collaboration

Question Break

Addt’l Possible “turn-offs” Your Office Lack of visibly diverse staff, visibility at diversity events Limited co-sponsorship with related areas (MSS, TRIO, McNair, etc.) “Competition” from employer relations Broader Context Anticipated discrimination… – may come from past experiences of students’ or families’ needs not being met Fear of “selling out” or being asked to conform

Small Group Work What other “turn-offs” or problems with our systems have you seen? What promising practices would you share?

Promising Practices Digital Storytelling, UW-Bothell Digital Storytelling Identity-Conscious Parent Programs, DePaul Identity-Conscious Parent Programs Specific Diversity-focused Staff, University of GA Specific Diversity-focused Staff Things Not to Say, DiversityInc Things Not to Say Rising TIDE, Duke Rising TIDE NACE Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards or NCDA Diversity Initiative Award

Suggested Reforms Recognize – Change the questions being asked Respond – Create lasting relationships across campus and in the community Redress – Collect data that matters

Suggested Readings Doctoring Diversity, Lisa Wade Doctoring Diversity Inside the College Gates, Jenny Stuber Inside the College Gates Mentoring At-Risk Students through the Hidden Curriculum of HE, Buffy Smith Mentoring At-Risk Students through the Hidden Curriculum Equity Literacy, Paul Gorski Equity Literacy Good is Not Enough & Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals, Keith Wyche Good is Not Enough & Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals

Contact Information Tori /torisvoboda with thanks to my colleague Patricia Conde-Brooks