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Learning Communities Aim to Foster Dialogue on Diversity and Inclusion; Groups to Meet Throughout the Fall
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) will be continuing the Learning Communities Book Groups initiative throughout the 2019-20 academic year. Piloted in Fall 2018 with students, staff, and faculty across campus, this initiative invited the campus community to participate in small informal book discussion groups.
Faculty, staff and students who are new to the Learning Community initiative are invited to join by participating in a book group based on “What if I Say the Wrong Thing?” and learn how to engage effectively and with respect, even when experiences or beliefs sharply differ. Last year’s Learning Community participants are invited to host a group to discuss this book.
A new group based on the book “Braving the Wilderness” by Brene Brown is also forming. Prior participation in the Learning Community is required for joining those groups.
Emmanuel Adero, OEI senior director of outreach, assessment and planning, will continue to lead this initiative and remarks that “community members from across campus continue to express their appreciation for having the space to engage in productive conversations that tackle these very important themes. This speaks to the ongoing need for this kind of dialogue, but also the great benefit our staff, faculty, and students derive from this dialogue.”
Learning community members will have access to online resources to reference and guide them as they read. The Office of Equity and Inclusion will provide central support to help groups get started and will provide a discussion guide for each meeting.
To sign up as a participant or group facilitator, visit the Diversity Matters website.