DEI Committee: Continuing the conversation

Workshops for faculty, staff and students focus on diversity and inclusion

The second diversity and inclusion workshop was on preventing and processing Microaggressions. The series is conducted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.
The second diversity and inclusion workshop was on preventing
and processing Microaggressions. The series is conducted by
the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

The VCU School of Education's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is sponsoring a series of workshops on diversity and inclusion for SOE faculty, staff and doctoral students.

The workshops, which began in December and continue through March, are being conducted by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, a non-profit organization that helps schools, businesses and communities across Virginia achieve success through equity and inclusion.

The first workshop – Unconscious Bias 201 – provided an overview of unconscious bias and shared practical tips and approaches that faculty, staff and students can use to make better, bias-free decisions.

The second workshop – Microaggressions: Preventing and Processing – defined the term “microaggressions” (everyday slights, snubs, or insults that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages) and gave participants the opportunity to learn more about preventing and processing them.

The third workshop – The New Majority: Understanding Demographic Trends – is scheduled for February and will explore demographic trends in higher education as they relate to race and ethnic origin and will explore how campus culture can be supportive of all.

The final workshop – Proactive Planning: Supporting and Including LGBT+ Students and Employees – is scheduled for March and will review best practices for supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and employees. Participants will explore policies, practices and procedures that should be in place to foster an inclusive climate.

SOE faculty, staff and doctoral students can find more information on upcoming sessions on our Events Calendar. Register for the February and March sessions at https://tinyurl.com/SOEDEIWorkshops.