Continuous Cultural Competence
About the Initiative
The Continuous Cultural Competence initiative aims to provide faculty and staff an opportunity to learn, reflect and apply information centered on one’s knowledge, skills and attitudes in the areas of intercultural intelligence, equity, diversity and inclusion. Continuing to grow in the area of intercultural competence is a life-long journey that requires critical reflection, a commitment to expand one's learning, and intentionality in the application of the knowledge learned.
What is Intercultural Competence?
“Intercultural Competence is the ability to communicate and act appropriately, effectively and authentically across cultural difference. Effectively means we achieve the goals. Appropriately means we do so in a way in which all parties involved feel seen, heard and valued. And authentically refers to the ability to remain authentic to ourselves in the process. To not give up ourselves in the process of adapting.” (source: True North Intercultural)
Participation
Participation in the Continuous Cultural Competence initiative is expected of all faculty and staff, and opent to all adjunct faculty and student employees. Simply explore the live and recorded webinars, events, and online self-paced courses listed below. Select the learning experience that most interests you and register to attend / participate when applicable. Keep checking back for an updated list of learning experiences.
Learning Experience Options
All of the below self-development offerings have been reviewed and selected based on their fulfillment of one or more of the Continuous Cultural Competence Learning Objectives.
Recorded UCO Panels
- Navigating Racial Trauma - In response to events in 2020, UCO's Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a panel to discuss how best to navigate racial trauma. Listen to our esteemed panel of counselors and activist as they discuss the nuances of racial trauma and how to begin the healing process.
- After the March: What's Next? - Demonstrations are only the beginning when working to confront institutionalized racism and inequality. UCO's Office of Diversity and Inclusion assembled a panel of dynamic community activist who engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on what it truly takes to create lasting change beyond just the 'March for Justice.'
- The Conversation: Stonewall, Civil Rights and Pride - The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invited campus partners to come together to dive-deeper into the significance of the anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on civil rights and the celebration of Pride month. The presentation also explored what the future looks like for LGBTQ+ faculty, staff and students.
- How to Support Your Students During Social Unrest - UCO's Office of Diversity and Inclusion engages in a conversation regarding how best to support your student during social unrest. At the end of this conversation, we provide a brief introduction to our SHARP framework designed to help advocates better engage with their students.
- HomeIsHere: A Panel Discussion on DACA - In this timely discussion, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosts a panel of incredible individuals to discuss the impact of the SCOTUS decision regarding DACA and Dreamers.
- Activism: The Student Perspective - Hear from our student leaders as they discuss Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and what it means to be an Activist during today's social climate.
- Tulsa Race Massacre - Renowned historian, Mr. Hannibal B. Johnson provides insight into the events leading up to and after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Online Self-Paced Courses
- Making Visible the Invisible - How do you define race? What does racism look like? Does racism still exist? The purpose of this online module is to answer these questions, while providing opportunities for self-reflection and a deeper understanding of our diverse and dynamic society. Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1) challenge common misconceptions regarding race and racism; 2) recognize the continued existence of racism in the form of systemic racism; and 3) understand how systemic racism perpetuates inequity.
- Recognizing, Reducing, and Responding to Microaggressions - Microaggressions have become a popular topic lately. But do we really understand what they are, why they might occur, the history behind some of them, and what we should do if we commit one? How do we know what is okay to say or do, and what might unintentionally demean or exclude someone? Work through this course to learn the answers to these questions, plus what we can do to reduce our chances of perpetrating a microaggression.
- Operationalizing Equity - As an institution of higher education charged with serving the OKC metro area, it is our responsibility to prepare students to contribute to a global society. In order to do this successfully, we must ourselves embrace continuous learning in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and belonging. The purpose of this module is to: 1) Define the terms inequity and equity, as they relate to diversity and inclusion; 2) Engage the learner in case studies designed to show equity in action; and 3) Prompt the learner to identify how they can advance equity.
- Growing a Department With Equity-Mindedness & Inclusive Excellence - This guide will walk you through some proven strategies based on empirical evidence to help minimize barriers to hiring a diverse faculty through inclusive recruiting, screening, and selection. The focus cannot be on just increasing the number of faculty who identify with underrepresented or marginalized groups. We must focus on creating inclusive positions and cultures built on a foundation of collaborative learning, equity and human dignity... on recruiting individuals who will actively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the institution by contributing their knowledge, ideas, and talents, and who are eager to try on new perspectives and learn from individuals different than themselves. A more diverse institution will be the outcome of this because a more diverse group of individuals will want to work in an institution like that.
- Authentically Engaging With UCO's Land Acknowledgement - This online learning experience is for those interested in understanding the purpose of a Land Acknowledgement and how to use UCO's Land Acknowledgement in a variety of settings. Learners will discover what it looks like to move beyond simply reading a Land Acknowledgement, and into embodying its intent. By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: Explain the purpose of a Land Acknowledgement; engage in best practices as it relates to Land Acknowledgement usage; recognize the effects of colonization; actively apply decolonization and indigenization practices in the classroom and work place; and utilize the Land Acknowledgement as a transformative tool in the classroom.
Diversity Calendar
Knowledge
Demonstration of awareness of one’s social identities and recognition of the complexities of those from different social identity groups.
- Recognizes how one’s social identity group and experiences have shaped their world-view
- Demonstrates insight into one’s biases
- Demonstrates an understanding of the complexity of elements important and impactful to members of a differing social identity group
- Defines diversity, inclusion, equity, power and privilege and how it is manifested at the University of Central Oklahoma
Skills
An ability and capacity acquired through deliberate, systematic and sustained effort to carry out complex functions involving ideas, things and/or people.
- Creates a plan for engaging in relationships for reciprocal learning with individuals from differing social identity groups
- Designs an approach for engaging in dialogue around diversity, inclusion, social justice and equity
- Analyzes barriers faced by multiple social identity groups in various contexts and mitigate those barriers
- Explains how listening, information-gathering and problem-solving skills support and foster partnerships and dialogue around diversity and inclusion
Attitudes
A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something that can be reflected in a person’s behavior.
- Initiates and develops interactions with individuals from different social identity groups.
- Reflects on changes in behavior as a result of empathy and support with others from differing social identity groups
- Explains your ability to listen and learn from alternative perspectives
- Synthesizes multiple perspectives and comes to a shared solution
- Reflects on how engaging in Continuous Cultural Competence has resulted in a shift in perspective in one’s life and work