We are pleased to announce a new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Respect (DEIR) education curriculum at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR). An essential part of building a welcoming and respectful culture, DEIR professional development for faculty and staff will deepen our knowledge and create a shared language that reflects our values and advances our strategic plan.
The DEIR workshops provide tools, skills, and resources using research-based, interactive content and are open to all AGNR faculty and staff. Completing the program earns participants a certificate and the option of joining a train-the-trainer initiative.
Registration for the workshop dates and location is announced in the DEIR newsletters. Registration is now open for Part One: Self Awareness & Cultural Awareness virtually at this link, and in-person at this link. More dates will be announced in the coming months and all departments and groups are able to request their own workshop date by contacting the Diversity Officer.
A one-page flyer is available at this link.
Overview
The DEIR workshops will provide tools, skills and resources using research-based, interactive content.
Comprised of three units, each unit offers two workshops that build on each other for a total of 9 hours of DEIR education. Each session will include activities and exercises to help participants reflect and discuss.
Completing the 6 workshop program earns a participant a certificate and the option of joining a train-the-trainer initiative.
THE SELF: Self-Awareness & Cultural Awareness
- Workshop A: Implicit Bias, Cultural Identity & Cultural Humility (90-minutes)
- Workshop B: Emotional Intelligence, Listening & Dialogue (90-minutes)
THE CONTEXT: Foundational Learning
- Workshop C: Social identities - History, Movements, & Systems (90-minutes)
- Workshop D: Advocates & Allies - Microaggressions and Microaffirmations (90-minutes)
THE APPLICATION: Communication & Collaboration
- Workshop E: Inclusive Communication and Interpersonal Skills (90-minutes)
- Workshop F: Inclusive Actions, Interventions and Reflection (90-minutes)
The workshops are offered individually, as 3-hour combined sessions or, upon request, a full-day or consecutive two-day format.
1. THE SELF: Self-Awareness & Cultural Awareness
The Self, the first unit in the series, is focused on increasing both self-awareness and cultural awareness.
The first session, Workshop A, covers topics such as implicit bias, cultural identity and cultural humility. The second session, Workshop B, focuses on the topics of emotional intelligence, active listening and effective dialogue.
The purpose of the unit is for participants to understand various elements of their own culture and other cultures with respect to factors like history, values, politics, communication styles, beliefs, traditions, practices, and so on.
Reflecting on personal perspectives and biases helps increase the ability to recognize how behaviors and practices we sometimes view as "standard" might have different meanings in other cultures. Openness to including new or unfamiliar viewpoints by listening with respect and curiosity, improves relationships and helps us to build a positive work culture.
Each session will include activities to help participants reflect and discuss, and very brief "pre-work" exercises to be completed between workshops.
2. THE CONTEXT: Foundational Learning
The Context, the second unit in the series, focuses on how and why building an equitable, diverse society became a priority in the US and around the world.
The first session, Workshop C, covers topics such as social systems, cultural identities, and legal history. This session is 90-minutes. The second session, Workshop D, focuses on how some individuals and communities regularly face barriers, slights and insults (microaggressions), and developing strategies for actions that increase belonging (microaffirmations).
The purpose of the unit is for participants to understand the origins of the historic and sometimes current unequal experiences of some US groups and how our actions can contribute to a more welcoming workplace.
Participants will become more aware of how social attitudes and cultural stereotypes can impact our behavior and practices.
We will spend time reflecting on ways that individuals, groups, and/or communities have been excluded or encouraged to assimilate, in order to develop strategies for that increase participation and include people in culturally appropriate ways.
Each session will include activities and very brief "pre-work" exercises to be completed between workshops.
3. THE APPLICATION: Communication & Collaboration
The Application, the third unit in the series, is focused on increasing interpersonal skills.
The first session, Workshop E, covers topics such as civility, inclusive communication, empathy, and "cancel culture". The second session, Workshop F includes strategies for interrupting negative behavior, tools for culture change management, and a review of the applied practices and activities discussed in the workshops.
The purpose of the unit is for participants to be able to combine the learning from the workshops into actions that will contribute to an inclusive, respectful workplace.
The ability to be open and accepting in order to connect with and include people who are different from us requires continual learning.
By working inclusively, we demonstrate our professionalism and commitment to fulfilling our land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension at AGNR and across the state of Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are undergraduate and graduate students able to attend the workshops?
The workshops are currently designed for faculty and staff. We anticipate student versions will be developed in the future.
Do I have to attend with my co-workers, or wait for my supervisor to schedule a workshop?
No. The workshops will be available for open registration so anyone can attend any session.
What is the purpose of the workshops?
The purpose is to provide education and resources that help AGNR be a place where everyone is welcome and feels they can thrive. Including previously ignored or overlooked perspectives, increasing our ability to engage with and reach different people, and learning to reflect our DEIR values through actions, language, and our physical environment, are all examples of what we hope to achieve.
Why is the series so long? Can't we just do it all in one day and get it over with?
Learning about complicated topics takes time. To be most useful the learning should include practical applications and personal relevance. The space between each workshop in the series gives participants time to think about the material and find ways use it. Building a community of people learning together is also an opportunity to share and learn from each other during and between sessions.
That said, a full-day or consecutive two-day workshop series may be provided for any department or group that would would prefer that format.
What is the train-the-trainer initiative?
Train-the-trainer will be an opportunity for certificate holders to learn to facilitate DEIR dialogues in the context of their work. More details will be provided as the program is developed.