Workshop Offerings

Our workshops are carefully planned to be engaging, interactive, and self-reflective. The DEI utilizes the framework of awareness, knowledge, and skills as a way of organizing the development of multicultural competencies. Because we see the awareness area as an essential starting point for developing cultural competence, we place a strong emphasis on exercises and discussions, which challenge participants to explore their worldview, biases, and cultural socialization. Videos, PowerPoints, and teachable moments are part of the knowledge-building component of this model, but these tools do not dominate our workshops. Finally, utilizing case scenarios, small group work, and role plays, we always strive to move into skill-development so that participants are able to connect what they have experienced in the workshop to their learning and working environments.

For optimal discussion, we would recommend groups no larger than 20 participants, but sessions can be adapted for larger groups.
A minimum of three hours is recommended for any of these topics. Sessions can, however, be longer or shorter depending on the depth of discussion desired and the time constraints of the department or agency.
These workshops can be conducted separately, as listed, but many of our trainings reflect a combination of the topics below.

Introductary Session

Multiple Identities
This session introduces participants to the idea that we all have a number of cultural identities, but are not always aware of how they affect both our personal and work relationships. Exercises and discussion in this workshop will provide an initial exploration of privilege and marginalization with respect to topics including, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability.

Race, Racism, and Ethnicity

Race and Racism
Race is one of the most discussed diversity topics, yet still creates anxiety for many people when discussed in either personal or work environments. This session will provide definitions of race and racism for participants to consider and will explore how different definitions affect the way we understand these issues.

Ethnicity
In this session facilitators will define ethnicity and explain how it is different from race. Participants will explore a variety of topics including: acculturation, immigration, and worldview. Information about particular group’s cultural norms can be shared as needed.

Gender and Sexuality

Gender
During this session participants will consider how we are socialized into gender roles and how expectations about these roles operate in the work environment. Both overt and subtle forms of sexism, and the way they hurt both women and men, will be discussed.

Transgender / Gender Identity
In this session, facilitators will define terms like gender identity and transgender and discuss how they are different from a person’s sexual orientation. Participants will learn about the spectrum of gender identity, and discuss the marginalization and discrimination experienced by those who do not conform to gender norms.

Sexual Orientation
This workshop acts as an introduction to issues and language with respect to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual. The role of “allies” is discussed. Heterosexism is defined and discussed.

Other Aspects of Diversity

Socio-Economic Status
Participants in this session will be asked to consider what messages about socio-economic status they were raised with and how that socialization affects their current understanding of class issues.

Ability Status
In this session participants will learn basic tips around respectful and empowering language and ways of interacting with individuals with disabilities.

Advanced Workshops

Supporting Diversity Educators
This session acts as a “train the trainer” program to broaden the presentation and facilitation skills of those already working in diversity education or who may have been identified in their agency to provide such training, but have little experience in this area. Exercises, videos, and readings, and how to utilize them effectively, will be discussed.

Social Justice
This workshop takes diversity and inclusion to another level and challenges the participants to ask how they can utilize their power and privilege to help others.

Diversity Educator Series:
"Surviving and Thriving: Continued Excellence in Diversity Education"

Presented by the Diversity Education Institute
Facilitated by Dr. Michele R. Guzmán
Assistant Vice President for Diversity Education Initiatives

Monday, February 11th, 2008 3-5pm
White Privilege: Managing Feelings of Guilt and Effectively Communicating the Concept
Guest Facilitator: Dr. Bob Jensen
Location: Sinclair Suite, Texas Union

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 3-5pm
Ableism: Integrating Issues of Disability in Diversity Education
Guest Facilitators: Deborah McCarthy, Tina Gilbert
Location: Sinclair Suite, Texas Union

Thursday, April 3, 2008 3-5pm
The Intersection of Religion and Sexuality: Managing Challenging Discussions about Multiple Identities
Guest Facilitators: Shane Whalley, Ixchel Rosal
Location: Texas Governor’s Room, Texas Union

Participants should meet ALL of the following criteria:
*Current faculty, staff, graduate or undergraduate UT Austin student
*Has participated in a course/training with primary content/emphasis on diversity, social justice, multicultural counseling
*Has taught, facilitated and/or developed a course/training
with primary content/emphasis on diversity, social justice, multicultural counseling