UCF: A Veteran Friendly Campus

A true performer, Dr. JoAnne Stephen-son, shined when the technology failed her. She didn’t let a little technical glitch or lost audio stop her from continuing her presentation. She even sang a few lines from some of the songs she selected to feature at our March 29th DiversiTea.

Culturally motivated, the Spring DiversiTea provided our audience with a glimpse into the history of African American music. The event brought together a blend of faculty, staff, and students, who walked away with tidbits of knowledge about the Blues, Gospel and Jazz rhythms.

From the Boogie Woogie, to 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, to Rappers’ Delight, African American rhythms have influenced varied musical genres for decades. Filled with inspiring mes-

sages of freedom to lighthearted melodies, like those found in Beans and Corn-bread, music cre-ated by African Americans has transformed the cultural land-scape.Dr. Stephenson

shared not only influential master-

Director’s Corner

Unity StarEight thousand participants can’t

possibly be wrong! What’s the sig-nificance of this state-ment? It is the number of attendees in education and train-ing sessions facilitated by the Office of Diversity Initiatives during 2010-2011. From a very general introduc-tory course like the ABCs of Diversity, to a more focused session such as DOTS: Understanding Your “Hidden” Bias, to an emphasis on the dynamics of culture as found in Communicating Across Cultures, members of the UCF community are attending diver-sity training sessions for their own personal growth and development or to satisfy a class or work-related requirement. Feedback from these sessions tends to be overwhelmingly positive.

For example: “I Learned a lot… I think this is neces-

sary for all educators.” “This session was excellent. We have

to be aware of diversity issues to be able to help make a positive difference in this world.”

“Excellent presentation with great content! Thank you so much.”

“Eye-opening! People usually don’t take culture into consideration when communicating.”

Diversity Week: Mark Your Calendars

Newsletter

Summer 2012

Spring DiversiTeaA Noteworthy Event

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Distribution: All Without OPS and F

Planning is underway, the dates are set, and reminders are out. Mark your cal-endars, and get ready to share with us a remarkable week of events. From the Diversity Breakfast on October 15th, to the array of workshops and programs that will feature inspiring subjects, great facilitators and guest speakers, the week should prove to be educational and motivational.

Our theme, Diversity Week: Twenty Outstanding Years, will reflect on the work our community has done to educate and empower our UCF family and beyond. We hope you’ll find time to join us during Diversity Week, October 15-19, 2012.

Dr. Stephenson talks jazz. Photo by Dayanara Hudson

Dr. Stephenson appears to reminisce as St. Louis Blues plays on the screen.Photo by Dayanara Hudson

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Diversity Spotlight

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March 16 was the culmination of hard work and collaboration put forth by the 2011-2012 Leadership Enhance-ment Program scholars. After almost 10 months of workshops and collab-orative teamwork, the 20 members dazzled attendees with their research and presentation material from across the curriculum. The theme was: Em-powerment for a Global Society. Infor-mational breakout sessions on varied leadership topics, and the involvement of great speakers, Dr. Hitt and Admiral Harms among them, contributed to the success of the Institute.

Panel displays on numerous topics provided guests, university deans, faculty, and staff with informational material on topics such as probation prevention and financial balancing acts. The main event was held in the Global Communication Room of the Morgridge International Reading Cen-ter, a state of the art facility adjacent to UCF’s Teaching Academy. One of the goals of this facility is to “provide

an open forum for the exchange of experiences and ideas at all educa-tional levels,” and this objective was definitely put on display on this day.

Our host for the day, Michelle Fuen-tes, LEP Scholar, gracefully moderated and guided several of the day’s speak-ers, starting with opening remarks by UCF President, John C. Hitt, followed by a few words from our very own Director, Dr. Valarie King, and Mr. Richard Stickney, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Embry Riddle Aeronau-tical University. Keynote Speaker, author, motivational speaker and UCF

Alum Gerald Jones provided us with highly encouraging words about what every leader should know.

Mr. Jones enlightened us with a remarkable speech about the seven steps to lead, and lead well, even under unexpected circumstances, such as the passing of a loved one. From leading by example, to producing posi-tive outcomes based on communica-tion development, Mr. Jones’ calming, yet compelling, demeanor reinforced the ideal that a leader can be devel-oped from within by learning from those around us and by letting experi-ences be part of the teaching process.

In closing, Dr. King presented the 2011-2012 LEP Class, applauded them for their hard work and continued success as professionals, leaders, and

mentors in their respective fields. We thank our 2011-2012 LEP Class,

and wish them the best in their ca-reers and beyond. We also bid them many congratulations on their April 27, 2012 graduation.

UCF + Embry Riddle Leadership InstituteA Leadership Splash at the Morgridge Center

Dr. King presents the ‘11-’12 LEP Scholars.Photo by John Greene, UCF Marketing

Photo by John Greene, UCF Marketing

Keynote Speaker, Gerald JonesPhoto by John Greene, UCF Marketing

Michelle Fuentes, LEP Scholar, discusses her display board with Dr. Stanley Stone, Valencia.Photo by John Greene, UCF Marketing

Spring DiversiTea A Noteworthy Event continued from page 1

minds, but also short YouTube clips and anecdotes of those she had the honor of meeting throughout her own musical career. She encouraged everyone to look up artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Jackie Wilson and even Jimi Hendrix, in the hopes that these artists might inspire a new musical beat within.

Dr. Stephenson chats with audience members after the presentation.Photo by Dayanara Hudson

Summer 2012 Workshop and Training ScheduleTO REGISTER: Online registration for Faculty and Staff ONLY at https://my.ucf.edu . Students or OPS please e-mail your name, phone number, PID/employee I.D. number, to diverse@ucf.edu.

For detailed descriptions of the diversity workshops provided, visit www.diversity.ucf.edu. Other opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity Initiatives at (407) 823-6479, or by e-mailing diverse@ucf.edu. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted.

ABCS OF DIVERSITY (DIV008) (Attend one):Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:30 PM – 4:30 PMMonday, July 9, 2012 1:30 PM – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

ALLIES ADVANCE (DIV033)(Attend one):Thursday, June 14, 2012 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMTuesday, July 10, 2012 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMLocation: Student Union, Cedar Key, Room 223Facilitators: Counseling Center Staff Member

BARNGA (DIV077)Wednesday, June 27, 2012 2:30 PM – 4:30 PMLocation: OD&T Training Room 130Facilitator: Patty Farris

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES*Section 1 (Attend both; each session 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)Monday, June 11, 2012 – Modules 1 & 2 (DIV210)Monday, June 18, 2012 – Modules 3 & 4 (DIV211)Section 2 (Attend both; each session 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)Wednesday, July 11, 2012 – Modules 1 & 2 (DIV210) Wednesday, July 18, 2012 – Modules 3 & 4 (DIV211)Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson *Register for each module separately.

DOTS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR “HIDDEN” BIAS (DIV031) Friday, June 29, 2012 2:00 PM – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION (DIV053)*(Attend one):Friday, June 15, 2012 1:30 PM – 4:30 PMFriday, July 13, 2012 1:30 PM– 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson *DIV053 requires an interdepartmental transfer or cash/check payment of $10. Prepaid for SDES participants.A PDF of the ID Transfer forms can be found on our website: www.diversity.ucf.edu/training.

THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW *(Attend all four to receive completion certificate.)PROGRAMS 1 & 2 (DIV201)Tuesday, June 5, 2012 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMPROGRAMS 3 & 4 (DIV202)Tuesday, June 12, 2012 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson *Register for each program separately.

UNDERSTANTDING POWER & PRIVILEGE (DIV016) Friday, July 27, 2012 1:30 PM – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

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“Very valuable lessons in this workshop. It has made me a better person + will make me a better educator as result. Wonderful!” - Workshop Participant

“Enjoyed using history as a means of professional development!”

- Workshop Participant

One of our newest workshops, The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, elicited the following:

“Wonderful session that really went into depth on history/is-sues that were not typically covered in public schools.”

“Excellent series - this information needs to be shared with everyone - great job Barbara Thompson and Office of Diversity Initiatives!!”

Have you attended a diversity training session lately? If not, don’t put it off any longer. Broaden your perspectives about diversity and inclusion. Remember, 8,000 partici-pants can’t possibly be wrong!

Director’s Cornercontinued from page 1

Diversity Initiatives Staff Valarie Greene King, Ph.D. Director

Barbara Thompson Assistant Director

Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant

Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary

Dayanara HudsonProgram Assistant

Kwame WalkerLEGACY Coordinator

Breanna CalhounStudent Assistant

Robert GlennStudent Assistant

Services

Diversity includes all of us

12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169, Orlando, FL 32826Ph: (407) 823-6479 F: (407) 823-6480

E-mail: diverse@ucf.edu www.diversity.ucf.edu

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“Like or Follow Us”

LEGACY Connect is an educational outreach program that is the brainchild of Kwame Walker and members of the 2010-2011 class of LEGACY scholars. The mission of LEGACY Connect is to educate and inform high school stu-dents about the value and importance of setting goals and pursuing personal and professional development beyond high school.

Last year LEGACY Connect had its inaugural event at Jones High School, and this year the LEGACY scholars facilitated a program at Evans High School. The purpose of the LEGACY Connect-Evans High School event was to share LEGACY’s commitment to future generations of students by en-couraging them to continue their edu-cations and to make informed choices about their futures. The scholars also

were there to connect with and pro-mote Evans High School’s mission as “A Place of High Achievement!”

LEGACY student scholars discussed the value of an education, shared their personal stories of success, identified important keys to college admission, and highlighted some of the consequences of not continuing an education beyond high school. The

LEGACY scholars explored important contemporary issues such as culture, professionalism, and career develop-ment, all of which are key features to a successful future.

In addition to the presence of LEGACY scholars, representatives from several UCF organizations were in attendance to assist in strength-ening connections between Evans High School and UCF. Also, there were awards given to five Evans High School students who exemplified great skills as campus leaders.

The LEGACY Connect programs at Jones and Evans were successful, and LEGACY student scholars are anxious to offer opportunities to other high school students in Central Florida com-munities to participate in the LEGACY Connect project next year.

Summer Faculty Development Conference 2012 Diversity Track: Culturally Responsive Teaching

Held every year at the end of the Spring semester, this four day event will play host to a select group of UCF fac-ulty who will explore the relevance of culturally responsive teaching as it relates to the 21st-Century college student. They will develop materials for faculty members to use as they create learning environments that are respectful of all students.

This year the Conference will be held from May 1st to May 4th and will feature guest speaker, Dr. Margery B. Ginsberg from the University of Washington-Seattle, and

author of Diversity and Motivation: Culturally Responsive Teaching in College. Dr. Ginsberg will assist participants “as they learn about the basic tenets of culturally responsive teaching, with the ultimate goal being the creation of class-rooms where human diversity is understood and valued as beneficial.”

To learn more about the Summer Faculty Development Conference and to read a short bio on Dr. Ginsberg, visit our website at www.diversity.ucf.edu.

LEGACY ConnectMotivating Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today

LEGACY scholars panel at Evans High School

Consultations, Presentations and Training. Visit our website to learn more: www.diversity.ucf.edu.