News and Events
Diversity Noon Discussion
Topic: Hmonglish-Remix: A Literature Reading and DialoguePresenter: 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 Multiculturalism 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 Multiculturalism 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 Víctor Ramírez, Diversity Student Intern, at victor.ramirez@so.mnscu.edu or 651.201.1596.
Diversity and Multiculturalism 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 Multiculturalism 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:
MnSCU NCORE PRESENTATION
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 Multiculturalism 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.
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 PolicyPresenters: Renée 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.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor's Workplace Diversity Climate Survey Work Plan 2008
Download the Diversity and Multiculturalism's Workplace Diversity Climate Survey Work Plan 2008.For information or questions regarding the workplan 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 UniversityTuesday, 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 Multiculturalism Division in reviewing the status and related issues of male access and success at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The group ၼwill 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 Multiculturalism division.Super Sunday Weekend a Super Success
 Whitney Harris (at far right), executive director, Diversity and Multiculturalism 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 Multiculturalism 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.
Raúl Ramos, community outreach and training specialist for the Diversity and Multiculturalism division, coordinated the Super Weekend program.
For more information, contact Raúl Ramos at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1593.
Previous Events
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: The Chicano ExperienceTuesday, September 4, 2007
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 PM
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Mr. Avina will discuss new Chicano immigration issues, the positive contributions of Chicanos to Minnesota and Chicanos in higher education. This session’s goal is for participants to understand current issues impacting the Chicano community in Minnesota.
Participants will learn and be able to explain at least three issues that are impacting Minnesota’s Chicano community.
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, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-296-1867.
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: Walking is OverratedMonday, June 4, 2007
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Matt Glowacki has been sharing his ideas about diversity and disability professionally for over ten years. He was a part of the United States National Sit-Volleyball Team and attended the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000 and the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt in 2002.
Matt was born without legs, and it has made him realize people’s expectations for others are based on preconceived stereotypes, limited personal experiences, and prejudices. His new common sense approach to tackling ignorance sets him apart from the crowd of educators and puts him in a new class of “Revolutionary.” The use of humor is always present in his illustrations of absurdity, when it deals with the judgments of others. And according to Matt, “I was just born without any legs. Everything else is there and works just fine.”
For more information, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Diversity Book Presentation and Discussion
Topic: When Affirmative Action was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira KatznelsonWednesday, May 2, 2007
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Gail Olson, General Counsel, and Whitney G. Harris, Executive Director of the Diversity and Multiculturalism Division of the Office of the Chancellor, will present a book discusion of, "When Affirmative Action was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America," by Ira Katznelson.
They will discuss ideas developed in the book and the most current status of affirmative action in higher education including its impact on student admissions.
For more information, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: Diversity Intersection: Race and Religion Monday, April 16, 2007
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Collision-what happens when race and religion collide? Come to the interactive session where Dr. Thia Cooper, professor of Religion at Gustavus Adolphus College, will share solutions to overcome conflicts that may occur when two diversity issues intersect. She will discuss several examples of race and religion colliding in American history including examples from Minnesota.
For more information, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Diversity Brown Bag
Topic: Exploring the Hmong Culture through Arts & ActivitismMonday, February 5, 2007
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Conference Room 3304/3306, 3rd floor (atrium)
Wells Fargo Place
Tou Ger Xiong’s one-man show combines explosive energy, humor, folklore, dance, and rap music into an interactive performance that educates about cultural diversity and racial stereotypes.
Hmong storyteller, comedian, and rap artist, Tou Ger Xiong, will take you on a journey of his life from the jungles of Laos, to the refugee camps of Thailand, and to the public housing projects of America. Tou Ger hasbeen featured on national television and radio. He has taken his program to over 1500 audiences in 44 states in the past 10 years. It’s one hip-hopping cultural experience not to be missed.
For more information, contact Ka Vang at Ka.Vang@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
Super Sunday
Sunday, January 28, 2007 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will join with African-American churches to promote higher education. As part of an initiative to increase the number of African-American students preparing to attend college, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is joining with African-American churches in the Twin Cities to reach out to parents and young people in their congregations.On Sunday, Jan. 28, Chancellor James McCormick and presidents of some Twin Cities area colleges and universities will speak during the worship services at six churches. Their goal is to provide information and support for parents as they help their children prepare to succeed in college.
Download Super Sunday press release (.doc) and brochure (.PDF). For more information, contact Raúl Ramos at raul.ramos@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1599.
