Unity Star Spring 2013

Fall 2012 marked twenty years of Diversity Week celebrations here at UCF. We began the week-long series of activities with our traditional Di-versity Breakfast which was attend-ed by more than 500 participants, guests, speakers, and presenters. Dr. Marc A. Nivet gave a motivational keynote address about marking our diversity path for the next 20 years. His comments were aimed not only at admin-istrators and members of the UCF leadership team, but he also targeted students and those commu-nity individuals who watched the program via live feed.

We were delighted to have Knightro entertain and mingle with guests at the start of the event. He put everyone in high spirits in prepa-ration for the r ema inde r of the pro-gram.

To coin-cide with the event was the receipt of the High-er Education Exce l lence in Diversi-ty Award ( H E E D ) , which was presented to the Universi-ty of Central Florida in recognition of its outstanding commitment to diver-sity and inclusion for the year 2012.

Director’s Corner

Unity StarIf you are r e a d i n g my mes-sage, it is o b v i o u s that the world as we know it did not end on December 21, 2012, as predict-ed and recorded more than 2,200 years ago on the Mayan Long Count calendar. Since we are for-tunate enough to have successfully entered a new year, I encourage you to fulfill the UCF goal of be-coming more inclusive and diverse by engaging each other across our differences to embrace the hu-manity that makes us unique and special. With that said, on behalf of the Office of Diversity Initiatives, I extend to you and yours a happy and prosperous 2013.

Newsletter

Spring 2013

Celebration Marked by Memorable Moments

In attendance to present the award to President John Hitt and Director of Diversity Initiatives, Dr. Valarie King, were Insight into Diversity Publisher and co-owner Lenore Pearlstein, and Victoria Ayers, Senior Director for Exec-utive Recruitment at RPA Inc., a mem-ber of the award selection team. It was an honor to accept this recognition as we continue to support the president’s fourth strategic goal to become more

inclusive and diverse. First Lady, Martha

Hitt, was acknowl-edged for reading the poem, The Cold Within, during one of the first Diversity Week pro-grams held at UCF. Dr.

Maribeth Ehasz, The Cre-ative School for Children, and Learning Institute for Elders were recipients of diversity awards. Dr. King also made special presen-tations to each member

of the Diversity Initiatives staff for their exemplary services and continuing contributions to making UCF a beacon of excellence in diversity and inclusion

HEED Award presented by Lenore Pearlstein on the right. Photo by Roozbeh Meghdadi

Dr. King presents our LEGACY Coordinator with a plague for her hard work with students.Photo by Roozbeh Meghdadi

within higher education. The program ended with an energetic and inspiring video salute by the Creative School for Children. Overall, the program was ex-cellent, and everyone had a great time.

LEGACY On the RiseODI Spotlight

Tent City Experience

This past semester has had a great impact upon the scholars within the Legacy Leadership and Mentoring program. The numerous leadership development opportunities, inspiring mentor-scholar relationships, and genuine fellowship activities have contributed to the cohesiveness and camaraderie within the Legacy community. We expect even further growth and tighter bonds in this New Year.

During 2013, our goal is to enhance our volunteer efforts by implementing our annual LEGACY Connect project at Oak Ridge High School. We will vigorously recruit new scholars and mentees through numerous innovative campus promotions, and finally, we will close the Spring Semester by honoring

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This past semester, I had the pleasure of completing my fieldwork experience as the Student Liaison with the Office of Diversity Initiatives. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with numerous student clubs and organizations; one standout group for me was Campus Peace Action. Every semester they host an event called Tent City, and this fall, I was invited to do a workshop for a day. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, Tent City is a peaceful festival whose intent is to turn fear into understanding, intolerance into acceptance, and apathy into action through creativity, community building, and education. The goal is to enhance community relationships by living together for a week, promote creative collaborations, and transform our views of education. They offered several workshops that focused on the mind, body, and spirit, as well as local music.

As part of their ninth anniversary, Tent City participants gathered at the UCF Arboretum, therefore, I had the chance to present my workshop outside on a chilly, cloudy day. When I arrived

By: Amy Caisse, ODI Student Liaison

By: Zakiya McGhie, LEGACY Coordinator

at the Arboretum, there were several tents set up and a man making a salad from freshly picked garden vegetables. Everyone was sitting on blankets on the grass while participating in a music workshop. It was simply an inviting atmosphere.

My workshop with the group focused on how stereotyping can hurt. We each took turns sharing our stories about moments when we were stereotyped, and our sentiments

towards the individuals and about the incidents. Not only did we speak about our experiences, but also about ways to challenge those statements when directed at us, or to someone else. It was an outstanding group; very open and willing to share some stories that could easily render participants vulnerable. The Tent City environment made it a safe place to come together and express how we felt and how we as individuals could start making a change.

Photo provided by Amy Caisse

our graduating scholars. These events serve as visible representations of the essence of LEGACY: a program established to mold our current scholars into future leaders and responsible citizens. If you want to get involved

A few of the 2012 - 2013 LEGACY Program members during an Etiquette Luncheon in October. Photo by Dayanara Hudson

Photo provided by Amy Caisse

LEGACY Students show off their LEGACY pride, during their fall welcome event.Photo provided by Zakiya McGhie

with LEGACY or know someone who should be, here is how: become a mentor, become a scholar, or join us in volunteering! To do so, check out our website: www.diversity.ucf.edu, and click on Mentoring.

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ABCs OF DIVERSITY (DIV008) (Attend one):Wednesday, January 30, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PM Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 NoonLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

ALLIES ADVANCE (DIV033) (Attend one):During the time of production of this publication, the dates for Allies had yet to be confirmed. Please check the Training section on our website for updates.

ASSESSING YOUR CULTURAL COMPETENCY (DIV126)Thursday, March 14, 2013 9:00 AM – 11:00 AMLocation: UCF Cocoa, Building 3, Room 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

BARNGA (DIV077)Tuesday, March 5, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: OD&T Training RoomFacilitator: Patty Farris

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES (Attend all four to receive completion certificate):MODULES 1 & 2 (DIV210)Friday, February 1, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMMODULES 3 & 4 (DIV211)Friday, February 8, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION (DIV053)Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

UNDERSTANDING POWER & PRIVILEGE (DIV016) (Attend one):Wednesday, March 13, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMTuesday, April 9, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW(Attend all four to receive completion certificate): PROGRAMS 1 & 2 (DIV201)Wednesday, April 3, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMPROGRAMS 3 & 4 (DIV202)Wednesday, April 10, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PANERA FOR PEACE - GLORY (DIV124)Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 NoonLocation: UCF Cocoa, Building 3, Room 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PANERA FOR PEACE – RED TAILS (DIV125)Tuesday, February 26, 2013 9:00 AM – 12:00 NoonLocation: UCF Palm Bay, Building 3, Room 329Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

THE PURITY MYTH: THE VIRGINITY MOVEMENT’S WAR AGAINST WOMEN (DIV120)Thursday, February 14, 2013 3:00 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Dr. M.C. Santana

RACE-THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION (Attend all three to receive completion certificate):PART 1 (DIV130)Friday, March 15, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMPART 2 (DIV131)Friday, March 22, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMPART 3 (DIV132)Friday, March 29, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Spring 2013 Workshop and Training ScheduleTO REGISTER: Online registration for Faculty and Staff ONLY at https://my.ucf.edu. Students or OPS, please e-mail your name, phone number, and PID/employee I.D. number to [email protected].

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 [email protected]. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted.

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Please check our website frequently for additional workshops that will be offered as the semester rolls forward. }{

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: [email protected] www.diversity.ucf.edu

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Diversity Initiatives Staff Barbara Thompson Assistant Director

Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary

Zakiya McGhieLEGACY Coordinator

Judith Geneous Student Assistant

Valarie Greene King, Ph.D. Director

Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant

Dayanara HudsonProgram Assistant

Robert GlennStudent Assistant

We all have so many things that make us who we are. There is no reason we should ever be put in a box or category to define us as individuals. If we ever hear a conversation where someone is stereotyping, and we do not say anything, then we are actually participating in reinforcing the stereotype. If people took the time to

get to know someone and listen, they could learn so much from each other.

What made my workshop experience great was the open-minded individuals willing to share their true feelings. We were all from different cultures, different majors, and had different views on the world. However, for that moment in time, we were all

Tent City ExperienceBy: Amy Caisse, ODI Student Liaison

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Fall DiversiTeas Reach Across Campuses This fall graced us with the

opportunity to hold two DiversiTea events to celebrate the diversity that Hispanic culture adds to our history and community. In September, Dr. Ilenia Colon-Mendoza enlightened us with facts and details about the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. This session was held in Orlando in the Career Services and Experiential Learning Center. In October, the UCF Palm Bay Campus celebrated Hispanic Heritage month by hosting a DiversiTea in the Community Dining Room, with a presentation of food, art, and dance. Special guest Javier Molinares, publisher of Al Día Today newspaper, not only emceed the event, but also performed a dance of his native Columbia.

Left: UCF Palm Bay promotional poster. Bottom Left: Panamanian dance group performs at UCF Palm Bay event, hosted in conjunction with Brevard Community College, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. October 2012, Photos Courtesy of Palm Bay Staff.Right: Dr. Illenia Colon-Mendoza chats with a student after her Frida presentation; below she discusses the life of the Mexican artist.

just one coming together. I gave all the participants little reminder cards from Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts with tips about what we learned, as well as bracelets with our office logo on them. This experience gave me newfound excitement to continue to work with Campus Peace Action and participate in future Tent City events.