Educational Proficiency goes beyond the traditional three Rs. Rapidly changing demo-graphics dictate under-standing diversity and prac-ticing the principles of inclusion as critical to the process of becom-ing educated. Our strategic goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse highlights the value UCF places on providing opportunities for members of our community to expand their diversity knowledge and skills. The Office of Diversity Initiatives is dedicated to providing information and strategies via our comprehensive training program, DiversiTea projects, and consulta-tions for individuals and groups to enrich themselves while assisting the university in achieving this im-portant educational goal. With one of the most outstanding diversity education and training programs in higher education, ODI encourages members of the UCF community to assume personal responsibility for generating and maintaining the ideals and behaviors that contribute

Unity StarNewsletter

Fall 2013

Director’s Corner

Distribution: All Without OPS and F

A Diversity Week Welcome

Photo courtesy of Angela Gomez de Lagos

Over the years, our office has built relation-ships with exceptional individuals within the UCF community, and across Central Florida. One of these individu-als is passionate about the diversity around us, and considers it her job to learn as much as she can about different people. She is constant-ly eager to learn more about the human expe-rience and an avid fan of learning from others.

Angela Gomez de Lagos, Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Universal Parks & Resorts, continues a relationship with ODI that started in 2006. She has participated, collaborated, and facilitated several presentations over the years. Most recently, she was part of a panel presentation on Cultural Competencies during the Summer Faculty Development Conference, alongside Zoraida Velasco, of Mayor Jacobs’ office, and Dr. Lisa Barkley, of the UCF College of Medicine.

This fall we welcome Ms. Gomez de Lagos back as a facilitator for a Diver-sity Week workshop, “Affinity Groups: Cultural Voices in Corporate America.” This workshop will allow participants to

walk away with the abil-ities to • recognize corporate Diversity & Inclusion strategies that take into account Workforce, Workplace and Marketplace,• identify the topics or themes prevalent as key drivers in Workforce Diversity & Inclusion,• understand the im-portance of multicultur-

al purchasing power and the ways in which this

influences mainstream media and workforce initiatives,

• appreciate “best in class” models of companies that are focused on changing demographics, and

• acknowlege Diversity Best Practic-es that focus on the 4Cs: Career, Community, Commerce & Culture.We would like to thank Ms. Gomez

de Lagos for taking time from her busy schedule at Universal Parks and Resorts, and invite you to join us on Thursday, October 24, from 1-4PM. For more information about the workshop, please visit the Training section on our website.

That is exactly what we are doing this 2013-2014 academic year. We start with 15 scheduled training workshops, featured on pages three and four, including a few returning ones, a couple of new ones, and a few with guest presenters. We are especially looking forward to this year’s 21st annual Diversity Week. We in-vite our UCF Family to add to the Diversity Week calendar by organizing events, presentations, or workshops from Monday, October 21 through Friday, October 25. Get in touch with us, and be a part of the 21st annual Diversity Week as we celebrate and embrace a new beginning.

Looking Forward

MORE ON PAGE 2

to a welcoming and accepting environment for everyone. As my role as Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives comes to an end, I challenge you to become fully educated by examining your beliefs and scrutinizing your motives and behaviors to avoid discrimination, inequities, and unfair treatment within our community. At UCF, establishing an ongoing educational relationship with the Office of Diver-sity Initiatives is one of the best ways to become culturally competent and proficient in successfully crossing diverse borders and boundaries in our ever changing 21st century society. I hope you accept this diversity challenge, and I wish you the very best on this important and stimu-lating journey.

ODI SpotlightUCF Undergrad Explores Diversity Training Skills

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By Dayanara E. HudsonThis semester, we will be intro-

ducing a new workshop that discusses Autism Spectrum Disorder, featuring the work of Dr. Temple Grandin1. The workshop titled, Temple Grandin – “Dif-ferent not Less,” is the compiled work of our very own Ms. Barbara Thomp-son, and ODI intern, and current UCF student, Mr. Dane Fishburn.

Now in his third year as an under-graduate Biology and Psychology ma-jor, Dane has worked diligently, since January, alongside Barbara, on the development of this workshop. Dane became familiar with ODI when he first attended a workshop facilitated by Barbara in the 2012 Fall Semester. Prior to this, Dane was only familiar with some of the workshops presented by ODI and how participants received certificates upon completion of some programs. After listening to her discuss all the work she does regarding diver-sity training and education, he found it interesting and wanted to learn more. Having grown up with an autistic broth-er, Dane felt that working in a diversity education driven environment would be a perfect fit.

In January, he started brainstorm-ing about a project based on autism education. In May, when he start-

ed working regularly, the development of a class based on Autism Spectrum Disorder, featuring the work of Dr. Grandin, started to take shape. Once the class, designed by Dane, was completed, he was invited to serve as a co-facilitator. The development process has gone so well that a piggyback class also is on the horizon, geared exclusively for the Col-lege of Education.

Dane feels his first-hand experience in designing and developing this workshop has greatly added to his presentation skills. While this will not be Dane’s first time pre-senting a workshop (previous experi-ences include leadership and citizen-ship presentations in his native Putnam County), it is his first time where the audience is over the age of 12. He be-lieves it is going to be a little different, but he is “ecstatic for this opportunity.” In addition, he finds that he now has a better understanding of diversity and hopes to apply what he has learned

1Dr. Grandin is a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism because “I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that ‘once autistic, always autistic.’ “ -Emergence: Labeled Autistic (From: http://templegrandin.com/)

from this process to fu-ture projects.

In regards to his time working alongside Barba-ra, Dane said; “I love the time that I spent working with Ms. Thompson; she is a very knowledgeable person and she really has allowed me that op-portunity to make this workshop in my vision. She has provided me with assistance when needed, but really she gave me the chance to do some-

thing completely new for the ODI and for me to

make it my own.” Make sure to register for Dane’s

workshop Temple Grandin – “Different not Less,” scheduled for Monday, No-vember 4, 2013 from 2-5PM.

Photo courtesy of Dane Fishburn

Director’s CornerCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Fall DiversiTea Call Me Roma, Not Gypsy

Wednesday, September 18, 201312:00 Noon - 1:30 PM

Library Room 223RSVP to diverse@ucf.eduby September 16, 2013.

Romani Gypsy Flag Art by Jimmy Caleb Galindo Robles tatchodrom.net

Dispelling Myths and Revealing the Truth

ABCs OF DIVERSITY (DIV008)Thursday, September 19, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMMonday, October 28, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

BARNGA (DIV077)Tuesday, October 15, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: OD&T Training Room on Progress DriveFacilitator: Patty Farris

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES (Attend all four to receive completion certificate):MODULES 1 & 2 (DIV210)Wednesday, September 25, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMMonday, December 2, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMMODULES 3 & 4 (DIV211)Wednesday, October 2, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMMonday, December 9, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION (DIV071)Monday, October 14, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION (DIV053)Friday, October 11, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PM Monday, November 18, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

INTERSECTIONALITY 101 (DIV137)Thursday, October 31, 2013 3:30 – 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Dr. Olga Molina

MULTICULTURAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION (DIV030)Thursday, September 12, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMLocation: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Room 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - FRIDA (DIV138)Thursday, November 7, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMLocation: UCF Cocoa, Bldg. 3, Room 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - RED TALES (DIV125)Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - TEMPLE GRANDIN - “DIFFERENT NOT LESS” (DIV139) Monday, November 4, 2013 2:00 – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson & Dane Fishburn

RACE-THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION (Attend all three to receive completion certificate):PART 1 (DIV130)Tuesday, October 29, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMPART 2 (DIV131)Tuesday, November 5, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMPART 3 (DIV132)Tuesday, November 12, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

SAFE ZONE LGBTQ+ 101 (DIV033) FORMERLY ALLIES ADVANCETuesday, September 10, 2013 1:00 – 4:00 PM Wednesday, October 9, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMThursday, October 10, 2013 2:00 – 5:00 PM* Monday, November 4, 2013 4:00 – 7:00 PMFriday, December 6, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMLocation: Please Check the Website for Location http://safezone.sdes.ucf.edu/training Facilitator: CAPS Certified Staff Member* Daytona Campus

UNDERSTANDING POWER & PRIVILEGE (DIV016) Wednesday, October 16, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMTuesday, November 19, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Fall 2013 Workshop and Training ScheduleTO REGISTER:

• Faculty and Staff ONLY use online registration at https://my.ucf.edu. • Students or OPS, please e-mail your name, phone number, and PID/employee I.D. number to

diverse@ucf.edu. • For the Safe Zone LGBTQ+ 101 workshops, use: http://safezone.sdes.ucf.edu/training. Due to

the limited space in the rooms provided, anyone who fails to preregister may be turned away.

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.

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Consultations: An individual or group meeting to assist in planning diversity related programs, events, and activities. Consultations may occur face-to-face, by e-mail, or by telephone.

Presentations: We make presentations to classes, departments, organizations, student groups, and external organizations. Our presentations cover a variety of topics to meet specific needs.

Training: Selected topics in English and Spanish

Services

Diversity Includes All of Us - All the Time

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

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

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

Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant

Dayanara HudsonProgram Assistant

Robert GlennStudent Assistant

Barbara Thompson Assistant Director

Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary

Zakiya McGhieLEGACY Coordinator

Judith Geneus Student Assistant

Diversity Week Guest PresentersAFFINITY GROUPS: CULTURAL VOICES IN CORPORATE AMERICA (DIV140)Thursday, October 24, 2013 1:00 – 4:00 PMLocation: Student Union, Garden Key Room 221Facilitator: Angela Lagos, Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Universal Parks & Resorts

Fall 2013 Workshop and Training Schedule Continued

This past fall semester had a great impact upon the scholars within the LEGACY program. The numerous leadership development opportunities, inspiring mentor-scholar relationships, and genuine fellowship created an excellent community. We can only expect further growth and tighter bonds in the new school year as we endeavor to volunteer within the Orlando community through our annual LEGACY Connect project, recruit new scholars and mentors by numerous campus promotions, and finally close the year by honoring our graduating scholars. These events serve as

LEGACY Keeps Growingvisible representation of the essence of LEGACY: a program intended to establish legacy-leaving individuals from diverse origins. If you want to get involved with LEGACY, here’s how: become a mentor, become a scholar, or join us in volunteering!

Legacy student and her mentor, Cyndia MoralesPhoto courtesy of Zakiya McGhie

Legacy students and volunteers during the 2012-2013 End of Year event. Photo courtesy of Zakiya McGhie

Check out our website at www.diversity.ucf.edu. LEGACY is where you want to be or may know someone who should be!

LIFE SUPPORT... SURVIVING AND THRIVING AS WORKPLACE ALLIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AGENTS (DIV141)Tuesday, October 22, 2013 1:00 – 3:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169 Presenter: Dr. Yolanda Williams, DirectorDiversity & Inclusion, Seminole State College of Florida

By Zakiya McGhie