Exploring Dimensions of Diversity: The Value of One
Course# TD1167

NOTICE: The learning associated with this program depends on your attendance and participation with others. As a result, you must attend all sessions. Please review your calendars for commitment to the entire program prior to registration.

This program is capped at 35.

The Value of One series was designed to develop and foster diversity awareness, understanding, knowledge, constructive skills and behaviors. This year-long program will provide the opportunity for individuals to explore what diversity means to them personally as well as give them a chance to discover how they can make a difference at JMU.

In this year-long program, participants will:

• Define diversity.
• Describe how diversity enhances the university.
• Explain challenges at JMU that diversity presents.
• Explore the impacts of an increasingly diverse workforce and population.
• Identify behaviors and languages that perpetuate societal 'isms'.

Join us as we explore dimensions of diversity…

Session One: JMU Traditions and Diversity Defined
Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Art Dean and Judy Rannow

In this session participants will:

• Define diversity.
• Examine assumptions and tendencies to stereotype.
• Learn what JMU is doing regarding diversity.
• Learn about JMU diversity traditions.

Session Two: Cultural Identity and Awareness
Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Dusty Krikau and Paul Krikau

In this session participants will:

• Learn about cultural identity.
• Learn about cultural values.

Session Three: Intergenerational Differences and Abilities at JMU
Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Judy Rannow and Sheila Foglesong

In this session participants will:

• Learn about generational differences.
• Learn about personal abilities and their impact at JMU.

Session Four: Communication Styles and Handling Conflict
Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Cheryl Talley and Nancy Good-Sider

In this session participants will:

• Learn about different communication styles.
• Learn how to effectively handle conflict.

Session Five: Focus on Local Cultural Components
Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Emily Akerson, Anne Stewart and Cheryl Talley

In this session participants will:

• Learn about building multiple competencies.

Session Six: Immigration Roundtable Discussion
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, USB 102
NOTE: Lunch will be on your own from 12:00 - 1:00.
Led by Sam Nickels

In this session participants will:

• Learn to increase their comfort levels with local people from different cultures.
• Be provided learning experiences and information about the diversity of immigrant and refugee cultures present in the Shenandoah Valley.
• Be provided some concrete cultural competency skills, behaviors and ideas from participants to apply to their personal and work lives, including tome to reflect and become more self analytical in seeing how we ourselves may need to be more culturally sensitive.

Session Seven: Socio-Economic Diversity
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Brad Barnett

In this session participants will:

• Learn about socio-economic differences in Harrisonburg and the United States.
• Hear from staff and students first hand about the realities of socio-economic diversity.
• Be provided information on local resources available to those living in below the poverty line.

Session Eight: Reflection and Learning
Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Anne Stewart and Gregg Henriques

In this session participants will:

• Reflect on their learning about diversity.

Session Nine: Cross-Cultural Team Building
Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Ann Myers, B.J. Bryson and Karen Ford

In this session participants will:

• Learn about cross-cultural team building.

Session Ten: Inclusivity/Exclusivity: Laws
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by James Robinson and Art Dean

In this session participants will:

• Learn about inclusion and exclusion in the workplace.
• Explore benefits and challenges of being inclusive.
• Learn about key legislation concerning discrimination, harassment and JMU policy & procedure.

Session Eleven: Managing Diversity: Recruitment and Retention
Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Art Dean

In this session participants will:

• Learn how to manage diversity.
• Learn about recruiting, retaining and promoting employees in a diverse workforce.

Session Twelve: Lunch and Celebration
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, USB 102
Led by Jennifer Testa and Judy Rannow

In this session participants will:

• Re-examine diversity definitions.
• Reflect on learning.
• Celebrate with a certificate ceremony.

Note: Topics and content subject to change.