All posts by Marlo G, Hode

About Marlo G, Hode

Director of Conflict Resolution & Mediation Services UMSL Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

DEI in the Academic Workplace

Training & Professional Development

ODEI is launching a new program this fall for faculty and staff.  The program is based on the curriculum for Diversity 101 and is divided into three mini-courses.  The curriculum is designed to help participants develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills for building a more inclusive working and learning environment in the academic workplace context.

It is recommended, but not required, that you complete all three levels in consecutive order.  If you have previously completed Diversity 101, the material will be a review (which is always good), but you are invited to participate (with a new cohort!) and earn the digital badges for each mini-course in this series.

Each micro-course involves videos, activities, optional resources for deeper learning, and discussions with peers.  There are two options for participation: virtual conversations on Zoom or online discussions on Canvas.

Registration is now open for   Level One:   Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Foundations

CHOOSE ONE OPTION:   

OPTION 1: September 20  – October 15, 2021   Discussions on Canvas   (on your own schedule, meeting weekly deadlines)    REGISTER HERE                       

OPTION 2:   October 20, November 3, November 17, and December 1         Discussions on Zoom   WEDNESDAYS  12 – 1pm   REGISTER HERE     

Registration now open: ODEI 2021-2022 Professional Development

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The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion welcomes you back to the 2021-2022 academic year with a full line-up professional development opportunities, both online and (potentially) in-person.  Come expand your knowledge, awareness, and skills in a supportive and inclusive learning environment with colleagues from all over campus.

All ODEI programs offer the opportunity to earn a digital credential (badge) that you can share with your social media networks, add to your signature line, your e-portfolio, and performance review files.

Click here to learn more! 

Introducing the new Grad Certificate in Workplace DEI!

Information & Updates

ODEI is proud to partner with the UMSL Graduate School to offer master’s and doctoral students an opportunity to boost their credentials and prepare them to be advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in their upcoming careers.

The new Graduate Certificate in Workplace DEI is a year-long cohort-based non-credit bearing program based on the popular Diversity 101, an online professional development program for faculty and staff.

Read more about the new initiative in the UMSL Daily Blog!

A similar certificate program is under development in partnership with UM Extension to be launched in the Spring 2022 and available to the broader STL community.

 

ODEI Digital Badges

Media

Perhaps by now you have noticed a colorful icon or two on some of your colleagues’ email signatures.  Wondering what that’s all about?

In 2019, UMSL partnered with Credly, a leader in the digital credentialing movement, to offer UMSL faculty and staff the opportunity to earn digital badges for their participation in ODEI professional development programming. Since then,  UMSL faculty and staff have earned over 550 digital badges and many share them on their signature lines and social media accounts to help spread the word about the great work we are doing at UMSL to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Learn more about UMSL’s digital badging program in the                              Credly Podcast featuring DEI initiatives at UMSL! 

Winding down Pride Month 2021

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Dear Community,

As we wind down Pride Month 2021, we want to remind you that there are things we can do every day to help ensure that LGBTQ+ members of our community feel seen and safe.

10 Ways to create a more inclusive campus for LGBTQ + Community
10 Ways to create a more inclusive campus for LGBTQ + Community 

DOWNLOAD: 10 Ways to create a more inclusive campus for LGBTQ + Community

Although as country we are making progress, as noted in the Presidential Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, 2021, we still have a long way to go.  But as long as we do become complacent and continue the work, we will continue to improve as a campus and society.

Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Events, Videos

Here are several resources to help you learn about and celebrate the rich diversity of AAPI cultures!

Resource from Insight into Diversity:

AAPI Heritage Month, celebrated each year in May, is intended to develop awareness of and celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of America’s fastest growing demographic group. In 2021, this time for celebration falls in the midst of a worsening crisis of racism and violence against some of the nearly 20 million AAPIs living in the U.S. today. The March murder of six women of Asian descent during a shooting in Atlanta and an escalating number of anti-Asian hate crimes has brought this often overlooked population to the forefront of the nation’s anti-racism movement. In solidarity with this community, we highlight recent releases by six celebrated authors who convey diverse AAPI experiences through the power of fiction, poetry, and essay.

 

 Click here to watch the UMSL Townhall sponsored by the UMSL Staff Association, the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Education, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Here are resources for combating Asian Hate. Resources – Town Hall_ We Are Not A Virus – Tritons Against Asian Hate

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success.  Visit the collection and calendar of events! 

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May and every day with a special PBS collection of stories that explores the history, traditions and culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

Ramadan 2021

Information & Updates

This year, the dates of Ramadan are expected to fall within Monday, April 12, 2021 and Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The Islamic Calendar follows a lunar cycle, and while these are the calculated expected dates of Ramadan, they can differ from place to place based on moon-sightings or lack thereof. Some Muslims strictly follow calculations, while others strictly follow moon-sightings, and some follow a combination of both. What Muslims choose to follow can depend on their religious convictions, where they have lived in the world, and what their families practice. The day after the end of Ramadan is a religious holiday called Eid-al-Fitr. (SOURCE: https://studentlife.mit.edu/orsel/interfaith-understanding/about-ramadan-2021)

Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer, and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur’an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur’an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. The night that the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad is called Lailat ul Oadr, and standing in prayer this one night is thought to eclipse months of worship.

General Practices: Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. In addition, many Muslims also attend night prayers at Mosques. Muslims also believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than any other time of the year, so almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan.

Recommended Accommodations: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply). (SOURCE: https://calendar.missouri.edu/event/ramadan_7210#.YHWtA-hKiHs)

Additional learning resources: 

Supporting Your Muslim Students on Campus This Ramadan (NASAPA: Student Affairs in Higher Education)

 About Ramadan 2021 (MIT Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life )

Best Practices for Supporting Muslim Students (a Tumblr created by a Muslim student)

How to Support Muslim Students When Ramadan Overlaps with School Year (Insight into Diversity Magazine)

Join ODEI for the Spring Core Concept Series

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ALL SESSIONS TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM,  TUESDAYS FROM 12-1:30 PM         

Click here for more information and registration:

April 20     Moving Towards Inclusive Excellence: Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

April 27     Understanding Ourselves, Understanding Others: Introduction to Identity and Intersectionality

May 4     What’s culture got to do with it? Introduction to Culture, Communication, and Values

May 11     Obstacles to inclusion: Introduction to implicit bias, microaggressions, stereotype threat, and imposter syndrome

May 18     Making the invisible visible: Introduction to Social Privilege and Normative Power

Register here. 

You can earn the Diversity Ambassador Badge by attending at least 3 sessions AND getting a colleague to attend at least two sessions.

Winding Down Women’s History Month, Winding Up for Action!

Information & Updates, Resources

As we come to the end of the month, we wanted to thank you all for your support of the diverse programming that led to a wonderfully successful Women’s History Month. A special thank you to the Office of Student Involvement for the coordination of the events this month.

Throughout the month, programs focused on hearing women’s voices, allowing opportunities for storytelling, mentoring, sharing, and concluded with celebrating the Trailblazers and our UMSL staff. Despite shifting to a virtual format this year, we were elated with the attendance and participation from campus partners across the institution and from the greater community as well.  Click here if you missed the ceremony or want to watch it again! 

 As we continue to focus on women’s accomplishments, goals, and the obstacles we still face, we acknowledge that one month is not enough to capture the full richness of women’s lives. As such, we encourage you to explore and this resource guide, 10 Ways to Advance Women & Gender Equality (click to download PDF)

This concise guide provides helpful links and offers advice for everyone across the gender spectrum on how to better support women, achieve equity, and fair treatment. We hope you will find it useful and encourage you to share with your networks as well. Additionally, please reach out to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Gender Studies program to get involved with next year’s Women’s History Month programming and women-focused programming throughout the year.

 Thank you again for celebrating women throughout the month of March and in your everyday work and lives.