6^th Annual Equity Development Institute

Building Culture & Capacity – Friday, May 3, 2024

A day dedicated to equity-focused professional development as a way to live out our institutional commitment to our Core Themes. No classes will take place this day to ensure full participation from our staff, faculty, and administrative leadership community. All staff and faculty are expected to attend. If you have questions, please email the Equity Task Force

REGISTER HERE FOR EDI DAY

Please register no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by 5pm

AGENDA

8:00-8:30am  – Breakfast in Bldg. 8, Mt. Townsend

8:30-8:45am  – Welcome

8:45-9:45am  – Activity Time

9:45-10:00am  – Break

10:00-11:30am  – Keynote: Dr. Terrence Harewood

Bldg. 8 – Mt. Townsend
Keynote: Terrence Harewood, Ph. D
Keynote Title: Thriving Interculturally in a VUCA World  

Amidst the rapid and widespread changes that have been occurring, the acronym VUCA has been offered to describe the increasingly Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous world in which we find ourselves today.  Higher Education landscapes have been particularly susceptible to VUCA challenges as we strive to not only survive in this VUCA world, but also to prepare a diverse student body to thrive in a highly polarized world with waring definitions about cultural differences and similarities. In this 90-minute workshop, participants will:

• Discuss unique challenges of working in higher education in a VUCA world.
• Explore a developmental framework to deepen understanding of how to thrive in the midst of cultural differences and changes. 
• Consider practical strategies to support developing a more complex experience of cultural differences and similarities. 

11:30-11:45am  – Break

11:45am-12:45pm – Culture/Identity Groups (various locations)

Please select culture & identity-based group through registration form, more information and room selections will be shared on day of event, thank you!

(For Executive Leaders only) Leading Interculturally in a VUCA World

Facilitator: Dr. Terrence Harewood, Location: Building 12, Conference Room

Description: Undoubtedly, higher education leaders today find themselves in situations where they must manage, respond and lead in an environment that is characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA).  To effectively lead in this environment, Executive leaders need to increase their capacity to manage change, differences and similarities.  An important part of this process is first understanding how we might be experiencing cultural differences and similarities, reflected in our level of intercultural competence.   After being exposed to the Intercultural Development Continuum, a framework for understanding increasingly complex experiences of cultural differences and similarities, leaders will:

• Examine their collective level of intercultural competence as revealed in data from the Intercultural Development Inventory
• Discuss ways in which their primary developmental orientation may be reflected in our approaches across campus.
• Consider practical ways to increase their individual and collective capacity to lead in a VUCA world. 

12:45-1:45pm  – Lunch (Bldg. 8, Mt. Townsend)

2:00-3:30pm  – Workshop Sessions (various locations)

Role of Bystander Intervention in Creating Communities of Belonging

Presenter: Sophia Kristina R. Agtarap, Location: Building 21, Room 116

Have you ever experienced or witnessed a form of bias and didn’t know how to respond? Many folks have likely encountered or experienced bias and maybe didn’t even know how to identify it. If you’re a Person of Color or one from a systematically marginalized identiy/ies, the chance is even higher.  As a community of people who are working together to create spaces of belonging and inclusion, what does it look, sound, and feel like to interrupt when we see instances of bias, racism, transphobia, sexism, and more, occur? What is the possibility of what can happen in that moment and beyond? We’ll come together to understand language and practices that can help move each of us to intervene when we witness or experience instances of bias in our communities. 

Utilizing an Intersectional Mindset to Build Inclusive Learning Environments

Presenter: Dr. Paige Gardner, Location: Building 21 Room 117

In this session, faculty and staff will explore the importance of developing and utilizing an intersectional mindset when working with students inside and outside of the classroom. Together, we will familiarize (or re-familiarize) ourselves with intersectionality as a theoretical framework to examine the ways our social identities are interconnected and create overlapping systems of power, privilege, and marginalization. Building upon this foundational knowledge, participants will engage in activities that spark critical reflection, build critical consciousness and empower educators to use critical pedagogy as transformative tools. This workshop will be structured in a responsive framework that allows open discussion of ideas and group work with peers.
Learning Outcomes

• Develop a solid understanding of the historical context and definition of intersectionality
• Identify and explore how our intersecting identities shape our professional practice
• Implement strategies to build more inclusive learning environments that help students thrive inside and outside of the classroom

Navigating a Multigenerational Workplace

Presenter: Roderick Morrison, Location: Building 3 Room 102

This session will provide space for a facilitated discussion of the complexities that exist when working in a multigenerational organization and how to navigate them for collective success. Using an intersectional lens we will unpack the dynamics of working in an intergenerational workplace. We will also develop tools to sharpen our perspectives and approaches to foster inclusion.

Hidden Agendas: How Implicit Educational Elements Shape Student Experiences

Presenter: Dr. Trelisa Glazatov, Location: Building 29 Room 216

We will focus on the hidden perspectives and practices that pervades higher education settings, influencing student learning and institutional culture without being explicitly acknowledged. Collectively engage in interactive discussions and activities to uncover and address these hidden elements—those unofficial, informal, and often unintended lessons absorbed by students that can perpetuate inequitable experiences across our campus. Let’s explore practical ways to bring these aspects to light within our individual and collective work, moving toward more inclusive and equitable practices.

Fostering Trust, Healing, & Accountability through Restorative Practices

Presenter: Michelle Strange, Location: Building 2

Introduction to restorative practices interactive workshop incorporates scenarios that explore how restorative principles foster trust, healing, and accountability. While discussing relevant scenarios, participants will share their experiences and learn restorative tools to build community and repair harms within organizations and team dynamics. This training grounds participants in proactive and responsive restorative practices. Participation in this training includes two toolkits to guide participants through restorative responses to harm and restorative accountability processes.

Equity-Minded Decision Making: From Theory to Practice

Presenter: Dr. Angie Hambrick, Location: Building 19 Room 101

In this workshop, we will explore a framework for making professional (and personal) decisions using an equity lens and mindset.  Together, we will:

• Explore the taken for granted culture and structures of higher education that consistently prioritize and reward certain groups
• Reflect on our own educational experiences and cultural conditioning around higher education
• Practice assessing current programs and services using an equity decision making framework and guide

The Politics of Belonging: Creating Home in Academic Space

Presenter: Dominique Beaumonte, Location: Building 29 Room 201

In the dynamic landscape of academia, the concept of belonging is central to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. The workshop, “The Politics of Belonging: Creating Home in Academic Space,” aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of belonging within the context of higher education. Grounded in the overarching theme of Highline College Equity Day, which focuses on nurturing sustainable growth and becoming a transformational institution, this session delves into the critical intersection of culture, identity, and academic space. Participants will engage in an interactive dialogue that examines the complex power dynamics inherent in academic settings and their implications for creating a sense of home for all individuals within the community. Through a combination of reflective exercises, group discussions, and case studies, attendees will:

• Explore the diverse experiences of belonging and exclusion that students, faculty, and staff encounter in academic environments.
• Analyze the role of institutional policies, practices, and structures in shaping notions of belonging and inclusion.
• Identify strategies for cultivating a sense of belonging that embraces cultural diversity, fosters equity, and promotes student success.
• Discuss actionable steps for transforming academic spaces into more inclusive and affirming environments for all members of the community.
• By examining the politics of belonging through a critical lens, participants will gain valuable insights and practical tools for creating a more equitable and welcoming academic environment. Together, we will envision pathways toward building a culture of belonging that not only sustains growth but also catalyzes meaningful transformation within our institution and beyond.

3:45-4:15  – Closing with Dr. Maribel Jimenez (Bldg.8 – Mt.Townsend)