News and Events Archives
Diversity Brown Bag
Please join us Monday, November 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., conference rooms 3304 & 3306, for the Diversity Brown Bag session, "American Indian Sovereignty and its Implication for Higher Education."
The session will feature John Poupart, MPA, president and founder of the American Indian Policy Center, a non-profit organization that provides information on American Indian oral history, legal and political status, and cultural features of the American Indian community. Through interactive activities and group discussions, Poupart will discuss American Indian sovereignty and its implications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.Download a Brown Bag Flyer
The American Indian Policy Center, www.airpi.org, has a wealth of information on American Indian culture, history and sovereignty issues such as publications, Web site links, and other American Indian organizations.September Diversity Brown Bag
On September 16, 2009, Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer, presented a diversity brown bag session, ?Minnesota's Rapidly Shifting Population, and the Impact on Education and the Workforce.? Download Tom Gillaspy?s, State Demographer, powerpoint presentation.
Latina Entrepreneur Noelia Urzua Receives National Award
Noelia Urzua-Vazquez, a member of Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), student at Dakota County Technical College in Minnesota, and co-owner of La Loma Tamales (with her husband Enrique Garcia), was chosen as the recipient of the National 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award of NACCE.
The National Entrepreneur of the year award honors an entrepreneur and the community college they attend. The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) was created to establish entrepreneurship education as a core offering to foster economic development through community colleges.
Noelia Urzua-Vazquez has been an active member of LEDC since 2003, and has also been recognized by the membership of the Latino Economic Development Center in Minnesota as the Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2007. Noelia and her husband Enrique Garcia are the owners of La Loma Tamales and they are members of the circle of founders of the Latino Scholarship Fund Program of LEDC.
LEDC is a non profit organization that was founded by Latino leaders in different fields of community development who share the same mission to transform our community by creating economic opportunity for Latinos and the vision: "A thriving multicultural community enriched by Latino economic influence, culture, and leadership"
Community Action Diversity Council Meeting with Chancellor and Board of Trustees
Five members of the system?s Community Action Diversity Council attended the Board of Trustees meeting in September and had lunch with trustees. Trustee Duane Benson, who chairs the board?s Diversity and Multicultural Committee, also welcomed the council members. Chancellor James McCormick also thanked the council members attending: Readus Fletcher, Al Paulson, Deborah Yungner, Mary Howard and Trustee Emeritus Ivan Dusek. The council advises the Diversity and Equity Division on access and opportunity initiatives.
Left to Right
Ra?l Ramos, Senior Access and Opportunity Specialist, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Ivan Dusek, Trustee Emeritus and Community Action Diversity Council Member
Mary Howard, Community Action Diversity Council Member
Deborah Yungner, Community Action Diversity Council Member
Al Paulson, Community Action Diversity Council Member
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
First Diversity Awards Given by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system awards recognized six programs recently for exceptional accomplishment in diversity leadership, programming and services. This is the first time these awards have been presented.
?The awards reflect the system?s pride in the diversity work that creates welcoming environments for all students, staff and faculty on our campuses and prepares students for their professional, scholarly and civic lives,? said Whitney Harris, the system?s executive director of Diversity and Equity.
The winners were selected from nominations made by presidents and other college and university leadership for work in 2008. The awards were presented during a reception May 28, 3:30 p.m. on the Eden Prairie campus of Hennepin Technical College. The categories and winners follow:
Outstanding Student Organization Diversity Award recognizes student-led groups, staff, faculty or administrators? initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion within the campus and larger community:
Itasca Community College- a part of the Northeast Higher Education District, for its O-Gitch-I-Dah celebration during American Indian Heritage Month
Left to Right
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Daniel Curry, Multicultural Student Affairs Assistant Director, Itasca Community College
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Michael Johnson, Provost, Itasca Community College
Riverland Community College- Riverland Community College Gay and Straight Alliance/Stage Left received an honorable mention
Front to Back, Left to Right
Scott Blankenbaker, Music Instructor, Riverland Community College
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Jan Waller, Dean of Academic Affairs, Riverland Community College
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Ron Langrell, Executive Vice President, Riverland Community College
Luis Valle, Student, Riverland Community College
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Minnesota State University, Mankato-for its Hmong Student Association
Left to Right
Scott Olson, Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Michael Fagin, Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Best Practices in Diversity Award recognizes programs and practices that improve access and retention of diverse campus community members:
Century College- for its Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Program
Front to Back, Left to Right
LuAnn Wood, Reading/Study Skills Faculty, Century College
Tracey Wyman, Director of Service Learning, Century College
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Pakou Vang, Acting Academic Dean, Century College
Ron Anderson, Acting Vice President, Century College
Thom Costa, Cosmetology Faculty, Century College
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Linda Baer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Mike Bruner, Vice President Student Affairs, Century College
Winona State University/ Southeast Technical College ? for their Diversity Partnership
Front to Back, Left to Right
Alexander Hines, Cultural Diversity Director, Winona State University
Connie Gores, Vice President of Student Life and Development, Winona State University
Sally Johnstone, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Winona State University
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Terrence Wilcox, Biology Instructor, Southeast Technical College
Jessica Stumpf, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Southeast Technical College
Innovative Practices in Diversity Award recognizes practices that foster inclusivity and are 2 or more years old:
Riverland Community College ?for its Be Your Best College Prep Academy
Front to Back, Left to Right
Jan Waller, Dean of Academic Affairs, Riverland Community College
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Danielle Heiny, Director of Admissions, Riverland Community College
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Ron Langrell, Executive Vice President, Riverland Community College
Miguel Garate, International Student Advisor, Riverland Community College
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Minnesota State University, Mankato-for its Pre-Doctoral Fellowship program
Left to Right
Scott Olson, Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Michael Fagin, Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Institutional Excellence Diversity Award recognizes institutions that have made significant contributions in intentional learning and collaborations that promote inclusiveness, access and opportunities within the community, the institution and academic programs:
Minnesota State University, Mankato- for its Division of Institutional Diversity
Left to Right
Scott Olson, Provost & Vice President Academic Affairs, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Whitney Stewart-Harris, Executive Director, Office of the Chancellor Diversity & Equity
Dan McElroy, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
James H. McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Clarence Hightower, Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Michael Fagin, Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Questions may be addressed to Community Outreach and Training Specialist, Ra?l Ramos, at 651.201.1593, or at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu
Diversity Brown Bag
Please join us Monday, June 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., conference rooms 3304 & 3306, for the Diversity Brown Bag session, "Personality Style Diversity in the Education Workforce."
The session will feature Ellen Hinrichs, a DiSC consultant and president of Career Enhancement Options, Inc. Through interactive activities and group discussions, Hinrichs will discuss personality style diversity and its implications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
DiSC is a group of psychological inventories developed by John Geier and based on the 1928 work of psychologist William Moulton Marston. For more information regarding DiSC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment
Those who wish to join the workshop via ITV should contact Ka Vang, ka.vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1599.
We will serve cookies and drinks!
Events planned by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity Team are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the work day.
Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department.
For more information on the Diversity Brown Bag, contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, at ka.vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1599.
First Diversity Awards Announced by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system awards recognized six programs recently for exceptional accomplishment in diversity leadership, programming and services. This is the first time these awards have been presented.
?The awards reflect the system?s pride in the diversity work that creates welcoming environments for all students, staff and faculty on our campuses and prepares students for their professional, scholarly and civic lives,? said Whitney Harris, the system?s executive director of diversity and equity.
The winners were selected from nominations made by presidents and other college and university leadership for work in 2008. The awards will be presented during a reception May 28, 3:30 p.m. on the Eden Prairie campus of Hennepin Technical College. The categories and winners follow:
Best Practices in Diversity recognizes programs and practices that improve access and retention of diverse campus community members:
Winona State University/ MSC-Southeast Technical Diversity Partnership
Century College for its Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Program
Innovative Practices in Diversity recognizes practices that foster inclusivity and are 2 or more years old:
Riverland Community College for its Be Your Best College Prep Academy
Minnesota State University, Mankato for its Pre-Doctoral Fellowship program
Outstanding Student Organization Diversity recognizes student-led groups, staff, faculty or administrators? initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion within the campus and larger community:
Itasca Community College, a part of the Northeast Higher Education District, for its O-Gitch-I-Dah celebration during American Indian Heritage Month
Minnesota State University, Mankato for its Hmong Student Association
Riverland Community College Gay and Straight Alliance/Stage Left received an honorable mention
Institutional Excellence Diversity recognizes institutions that have made significant contributions in intentional learning and collaborations that promote inclusiveness, access and opportunities within the community, the institution and academic programs:
Minnesota State University, Mankato for its Division of Institutional Diversity
Questions may be addressed to Community Outreach and Training Specialist, Ra?l Ramos, at 651.201.1593, or at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu.
Press release on the Diversity Awards http://www.mnscu.edu/media/newsreleases/current/article.php5?id=91.
Diversity Brown Bag
Please join us on Thursday, April 16 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., conference rooms 3304 & 3306, for the Diversity Brown Bag session, "Intercultural Communication in the Education Workforce," featuring Jeffrey Cookson, MFA, SPHR, GPHR, Organization Development Consultant with Employers Association, Inc.
We will serve cookies and coffee!
Mr. Cookson will examine core competencies for intercultural communication success. He will review helpful changes for one?s thought process and behavior patterns when working with others who communicate differently.
Events planned by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity Team are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the work day.
Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department
For more information on the Diversity Brown Bag, contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, at ka.vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1599.
Download the Diversity Brown Bag flyer.
Register for the Diversity Drive-In Conference, March 23, 2009
The Diversity and Equity division of the Office of the Chancellor and Minnesota State Community and Technical College is pleased to invite you to the diversity drive-in conference, ?Serving the Changing Populations in Greater Minnesota: Access, Opportunity and Success for American Indian, Somali and Latino Students.?
We understand how quickly your schedule fills, so please plan to hold the date. An informational brochure, including an agenda for the conference, will be emailed to you in the next few days.
The purpose of this conference is to provide Minnesota State Colleges & Universities staff, faculty and students with an opportunity to learn skills and information regarding the recruitment, retention and success of American Indian, Somali and Latino students in greater Minnesota. Through speakers, guided discussions and a panel composed of parents and students, participants will learn skills to help better serve American Indian, Somali and Latino students in greater Minnesota.
Date: Monday, March 23, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes Campus
Title of Event: Serving the Changing Populations in Greater Minnesota: Access, Opportunity and Success for American Indian, Somali and Latino Students
Registration fee: FREE
To register:
1) Go to https://secure.mnsu.edu/mnscupd
2) Enter your Tech ID number, password and campus
3) Go to, "Search for Class" option on left hand side of screen
4) Type in keyword, "diversity"
5) Register for conference
Unfortunately at this time, we cannot offer ITV or video-streaming for the conference because the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes Campus does not have the technology to support it. However, we will offer a second diversity drive-in conference Fall 2009 in the southern region.
This conference is open to all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students, staff and faculty, and may be of special interest to those working in the areas of diversity, admissions, recruitment, retention and student support and success.
The one-day session will have a drive-in format. A drive-in session is a midday conference scheduled to allow participants to have time to travel to the conference and return home without requiring an overnight stay.
For registration information and if you have questions, please contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director with the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity division, at ka.vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1599.
Conference Lodging Information
Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes Campus
Directions to Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Detroit Lakes Campus
Super Weekend Expands to 25 Groups
High-ranking officials of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system spoke at places of worship and community-based organizations Jan. 23 through Jan. 25 to encourage students from underrepresented communities to prepare and attend college. Twenty-five worship and community-based groups participated in Super Weekend. The goal is to provide information and support for parents as they help their children prepare to succeed in college. The event, ?Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Super Weekend,? is part of a system initiative to increase access to higher education for groups that often have encountered societal and cultural barriers to post-secondary education. Chancellor James H. McCormick spoke during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, a predominantly African American church. Many of the congregation members thanked the chancellor and some Office of the Chancellor staff members for coming to their church to answer questions and distribution brochures about how to prepare for college.Diversity and Equity and Public Affairs divisions Open House
Sixty-seven Office of the Chancellor staff attended a Jan. 9 open house sponsored by the Diversity and Equity and Public Affairs divisions to highlight the system?s latest diversity initiative.
As part of the initiative, the two divisions, with help from Academic and Student Affairs, teamed up to produce a new brochure, Make college a part of your future, a related wall poster and a Web site, yesyoucan.mnscu.edu. Advertisements also are being placed on buses, light rail and in minority news outlets. The materials and Web site were on display during the open house.
The materials and Web site are available in English and eight other languages - Dakota, French, Hmong, Ojibwe, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
The initiative is intended primarily to help students in 8th through 10th grades in underrepresented groups, along with their parents and mentors, learn more about the benefits of attending college and encourage them to prepare for college. Underrepresented groups include students of color, students from low-income families, first-generation college-goers and students for whom English is not a first language.
Chancellor James H. McCormick spoke about the importance of the translated recruitment brochures and Web site in attracting groups historically underrepresented into higher education. Increasing access and opportunity is the number one strategic direction in the Board of Trustees strategic plan.
Office of the Chancellor staff who attended the open house also learned about the system's relatively new Access and Opportunity Centers of Excellence, which reach out to students in underrepresented groups to help them prepare for and succeed in college.
3rd Annual Super Sunday Weekend, January, 23-25, 2009
Chancellor James McCormick and 14 presidents and top administrators from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities spoke during 17 church services at places of worship during the weekend of Jan. 26 ? 27, 2008 to promote higher education in communities traditionally underrepresented in higher education. As part of the initiative to increase the number of students of color preparing to attend college, the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity division teamed with faith groups in the Twin Cities and Willmar to reach out to parents and young people in their communities.
Please mark your calendars!!!
This year's Super Weekend event will take place during the weekend of January 23 ? 25. Chancellor McCormick and a number of the presidents and top administrators will again speak during church services at places of worship. System admission representatives will also be on hand to answer admissions questions.
The documents below are intended to help Minnesota State Colleges & Universities campuses with their faith-community visit.
Noontime Diversity Discussion, Tuesday, January 13, 2008
Bill Tschida, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, and Whitney G. Harris, Ph.D., Executive Director for Diversity and Equity, will present a discussion of:
White Men Challenging Racism: 35 Personal Stories, by Cooper Thompson, Emmett Schaefer, and Harry Brod. Foreword by James W. Loewen. (Durham, N.C., and London: Duke University Press, c. 2003. Pp. xxxvi, 353. ISBN 0-8223-3096-2.)
Thompson's ideas and their implications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will be discussed.
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2008
Time: 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Place: Conference rooms 3304 - 3306
In preparation for the discussion, you may wish to read the book, White Men Challenging Racism: 35 Personal Stories, by Cooper Thompson, Emmett Schaefer, and Harry Brod. Foreword by James W. Loewen. (Durham, N.C., and London: Duke University Press, c. 2003. Pp. xxxvi, 353. ISBN 0-8223-3096-2.)
Tschida and Harris will present the major ideas of the article. Implications for the work of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system also will be highlighted.
Participants will engage in a guided discussion.
Websites of Interest:
White Men Challenging Racism
http://www.whitemenchallengingracism.com/index.htm-
White Men as Full Diversity Partners
http://www.wmfdp.com/index2.html
Events planned by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity Division are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the work day.
Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department.
Diversity Brown Bag
Please join us Wednesday, December 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., conference rooms 3304 & 3306, for the Diversity Brown Bag session, "Generational Diversity in the Workforce."
The session will feature Linda Havir, Ph.D., professor at St. Cloud State University. Through interactive activities and group discussions, Professor Havir will discuss generational diversity and its implications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Those who wish to join the workshop via ITV should contact Ka Vang.
Read an interview with Professor Havir:
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/socialresponsibility/faculty/havir.asp
We will serve cookies and drinks!
Diversity and Equity Diversity Awards
I am pleased to announce that we are accepting nominations for this year?s Diversity and Equity Diversity Awards in the following four categories:
- Best Practices in Diversity Award
- New Innovative Practices in Diversity Award
- Outstanding Student Organization Diversity Award
- Institutional Excellence Diversity Award
In making this announcement, I extend sincere thanks to the members of the systemwide Diversity Awards Review Committee, the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Inter Faculty Organization, Minnesota State College Faculty , Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty, Minnesota Association of Professional Employess and Middle Management Association leadership, the system?s Leadership Council and chief diversity officers, as well as the many faculty and staff who, through many months of research, counsel and reviews, assisted in developing this recognition program.
These awards are an honor to reward exceptional accomplishment in diversity, and to encourage ongoing excellence. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system faculty, staff and students are eligible to be nominated. The awards reflect the Board of Trustees? pride in the diversity work that creates welcoming environments for all and prepares our students for their professional, scholarly and civic lives. There is a monetary benefit attached to the award. The monetary benefit can not go to an individual. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 1, 2009. Please see the awards criteria.
The awards will be announced during an event that will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 22, 2009. Please reserve the date. Details on the location will be available later this fall.
The Diversity Award Criteria and Diversity Award Nomination Form will provide guidelines for the nomination, instructions and necessary forms for compiling the portfolios and an overview of the selection and awards process.
The program is administered by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity division. Questions may be addressed to Community Outreach and Training Specialist, Ra?l Ramos, at 651.201.1593, or at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu
I invite you to recommend your nomination, recognizing excellent diversity throughout the system with an award of high visibility and prestige.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor's Workplace Diversity Climate Survey Work Plan 2008
Download the interim report regarding the work the Diversity and Equity division has completed in response to the Workplace Diversity Climate Survey?s significant findings.
For more information on the Workplace Diversity Climate Survey, contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Diversity Brown Bag
Please join us on Friday, October 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., conference rooms 3304 & 3306, for the Diversity Brown Bag session, "Closing the Gap: Addressing Health Care Disparities."
We will be watching and discussing a film on health care disparities. The film's ideas and its implications for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will be discussed. Those who wish to join the workshop via ITV should contact Ka Vang.
We will serve cookies and drinks!
Download a "Closing the Gap: Addressing Health Care Disparities" flyer
Diversity Noon Discussion
Topic: Hmonglish-Remix: A Literature Reading and Dialogue
Presenter: Ka Vang
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conference Rooms 3304/3306 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, from the Diversity and Equity division will be reading her poetry, plays and short stories. The event will also feature a discussion of her Australian Research in 2007 of Hmong-Australians. Through Ka Vang?s poetry, spoken word and folktales, the event will be an exhilarating experience of Hmong, English and Hmonglish as she exposes the Hmong American experience to a broader community.
Ka Vang will take you on a journey of her life from the jungles of Laos, to the refugee camps of Thailand, and to swimming with sharks in Australia?s Great Barrier Reef. This reading also celebrates Vang?s inclusion in two best selling anthologies.
Ka Vang is a playwright, fiction writer and poet. She is a recipient of the Archibald Bush Artist Fellowship and several other fellowships and grants. Vang is also one of the first Hmong to be writing creatively in any language.
A writer of distinct plays such as DISCONNECT, Dead Calling, and From Shadows to Light among others, Vang's work frequently incorporate elements of Magic Realism from a Southeast Asian American perspective. Her plays have been professionally performed in the Twin Cities, Wisconsin and New York City.
For a full description of Ka?s work go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka_Vang or www.myspace.com/kavangwriter
Events planned by the Diversity and Equity division are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the work day. Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department.
For more information contact V?ctor Ram?rez, Diversity Student Intern, at victor.ramirez@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1596.
Diversity and Equity Presents Pioneering Diversity Training Series at the 21st Annual Conference on Race and Ethnicity in May, 2008
Staff members of Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity division presented Wednesday, May 28 at the 21st Annual Conference on Race and Ethnicity in May, 2008. Over 80 participants attended the 90 minute session titled, Diversity Officers Professional Skills Development Series- A Pioneering Training Model for Diversity Officers.
The session examined a pioneering training model for diversity officers at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities focused on skill building derived from sound research that address the skills diversity officers need to be successful on a modern campus. Some diversity officers step into their role with a passion for servicing and promoting underrepresented students, but lack the skills to succeed in a complex higher education environment and become effective change agents.
This training gives diversity officers the skills they need to create a welcoming environment for underrepresented staff, faculty and students. Key skills taught during the training included assessment, research, data analysis, best approaches to overcoming campus and community barriers, developing alliances, as well as approaches for being a good financial steward over programming budgets. These skills are not traditionally associated with diversity officers. Information on the background and rationale for the Diversity Officers Professional Skills Development was provided, as well as insights and lessons learned from its implementation, execution and evaluation.
This session benefited those who are interested in models to promote the success of diversity officers including higher education administrators, diversity officers, students and staff who are interested in taking an active role as change agents.
Below is the PowerPoint presentation that was presented:
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: Mambo on my Mind: A Discussion of Art in Diversity
Monday, June 2, 2008
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
In preparation for the discussion, you may wish to read the following articles:
"Art-centered Approach to Diversity Education in Teaching and Learning," by Lorena Johnson
"Mambo on My Mind," by Robert Farris Thompson
"The Art of Diversity," by Christopher John Farley
Ideas from the articles and their implication for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will be discussed. Participants will be able to learn and explain how art helps promote intercultural understanding and appreciation.
You may also wish to view the following art work and discussion questions:
- Jacob Lawrence's Ordeal of Alice 1963
- Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas, 1939
- Pablo Picasso's Guernica, 1937
- Discussion Questions
Download a "Mambo on my Mind" event flyer.
Events planned by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity Team are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the workday. Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department.
For more information on the Diversity Brown Bag, contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Backwards Design Professional Development Sessions for Diversity Officers Summary
The Office of the Chancellor's Diversity and Equity Division recently coordinated five professional development sessions for diversity officers on Backwards Design throughout the state.
Backwards Design, developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, is an innovative design and assessment model from the world of academia to help diversity officers plan and evaluate programs and projects. While it is not the only assessment model out there, it is unique because learning outcomes are central and key to the program design. Therefore, activities, evaluations and other learning tools are plan around the outcomes. Backwards Design also takes into consideration ways participants learn and process information, as well as, various evidence for assessment that emphasis outcomes, and not so much process evaluation.
Already four Backwards Design sessions have been delivered by Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director with the Office of the Chancellor, and Jason A. Cardinal, Director of Under Represented Student Services with Century College.
Backwards Design was first taught at the Diversity Officers Professional Skills Development series in 2007.
Previous Events
American Indian Student Leadership Assembly
One of the goals of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is to increase the access and success of American Indian students at our 32 colleges and universities. Towards this goal, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor conducted an American Indian Student Leadership Assembly, held at Breezy Point Conference Center, Breezy Point, MN on April 16, 2008.
Developing American Indian student leaders is an important step toward the access, success and retention of American Indian students. The American Indian Student Leadership Assembly included leadership development, community building and information sharing.
Twenty five students from four Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions participated in the leadership assembly. The institutions represented include: Central Lakes College, Itasca Community College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College and Bemidji State University.
In an effort to continue leadership development of American Indian Students, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor will conduct future American Indian Student Leadership Assemblies.
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: 1.B.1. Nondiscrimination Policy
Presenters: Ren?e Hogoboom and Whitney Harris, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 17, 2008 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)Wells Fargo Place
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 1.B.1 Nondiscrimination Policy is about respect and creating a welcoming work environment. The policy states that harassment and discrimination are prohibited based upon twelve protected classes.
This interactive presentation will also include a discussion on the latest addition to the policy on consensual relationships, which was adopted on November 1, 2006. Participants will learn and be able to explain the following ideas related to the 1.B.1 Nondiscrimination Policy:
- harassment
- discrimination
- retaliation
- reporting complaints
Events planned by the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity Team are strongly endorsed by the leadership of the Office of the Chancellor and, therefore, programs which promote a better understanding of our differences are considered an important part of the workday. Employees and supervisors are encouraged to attend these events and are not required to use vacation leave or compensatory time. Any questions on this topic can be addressed to Office of the Chancellor?s Human Resources department.
For more information on the Diversity Brown Bag, contact Ka Vang, Diversity Programs Director, at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Diversity Noon Discussion
Topic: E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century, the 2006 Johan Skytte Prize Lecture by Robert D. Putnam, Harvard University
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conference Rooms 3304/3306 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Robert D. Putnam is the Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard. He is currently president of the American Political Science Association, fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the author of nine previous books. To learn more about Bowling Alone and ways to help rebuild our nation's social capital, visit the author's Web Site at www.bowlingalone.com and www.bettertogether.org
In preparation for the discussion, you may wish to read Putnam's speech. Click here for access to Putnam's speech.
For more information, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Male Access and Success Study Group Meets
Members of the Male Access and Success Study Group, composed of faculty, staff and students, met for the first time Jan. 31. The purpose of the group is to assist the Diversity and Equity Division in reviewing the status and related issues of male access and success at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The group will make recommendations to enhance the access and success of males in the system. The recommendations will be shared with the system and larger higher education community. The study group is led by Whitney Harris, executive director of the Diversity and Equity division.
Super Sunday Weekend a Super Success
Whitney Harris (at far right), executive director, Diversity and Equity division, Office of the Chancellor, and Jamal Adam, counselor, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, share comments at the Super Weekend event at the Somali Education Center in Minneapolis Friday, Jan. 25. Seated behind Adam is Phil Davis, president, Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Chancellor James McCormick and 14 presidents and top administrators from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities spoke during 17 church services at places of worship during the weekend of Jan. 26 - 27 to promote higher education in communities traditionally underrepresented in higher education. As part of the initiative to increase the number of students of color preparing to attend college, the Office of the Chancellor?s Diversity and Equity division teamed with faith groups in the Twin Cities and Willmar to reach out to parents and young people in their communities.
The goal was to provide information and support for parents as they help their children prepare to succeed in college. Chancellor McCormick spoke at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Many of the congregation members took copies of the system?s Go Places brochure and the one-page handout ?College Starts Here: Steps to Get Ready.? System representatives also were on hand to answer admissions questions.
Ra?l Ramos, community outreach and training specialist for the Diversity and Equity division, coordinated the Super Weekend program.
For more information, contact Ra?l Ramos at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1593.
