Workshop Summaries

Cultural Competency and Civility Workshops

Building Bridges is a three-part workshop presented by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Become more culturally competent while challenging innate bias and rethinking what it means to be inclusive in the workplace and classroom. These workshops are suitable for everyone.

• Building Bridges to Cultural Competency (3 phases)

  This interactive series is designed for participants to attend each session as a lockstep learning format. Each session is specifically created to engage and challenge participants to examine their worldviews while introducing new concepts and perspectives that will expand their awareness of systemic inequities and individual bias, emphasizing the importance of belonging and celebrating the importance of unity and diversity. These workshops are suitable for all levels of learning (faculty, staff, and students). The workshops include:

  Building Bridges to Cultural Competence Phase I is a workshop presented by the Binghamton University UDiversity Educational Institute. In this workshop participants will become more culturally competent by understanding the concepts that center culture, identity, values, and forms of bias. Participants will engage in activities and small discussions to explore their perspectives in an effort to apply new concepts to their worldviews.  

  Building Bridges to Cultural Competence Phase II is a workshop presented by the Binghamton University UDiversity Educational Institute. Participants will become aware of different perspectives, worldviews, and examine systemic barriers that affect inequitable practices. Participants will engage in small group discussions and activities.

  Building Bridges to Cultural Competence Phase III is a workshop presented by the Binghamton University UDiversity Educational Institute. In this workshop participants will become more culturally competent by developing mechanisms for individuals to become change agents and upstanders. Participants will learn different types of micro intervention strategies to disarm individual and system racism and bias. 

• Building Inclusive Organizations

  Participants will understand the importance of effective intercultural communication and Develop intercultural engagement skills. Participants will also become knowledgeable about Microaggressions and inclusive strategies for personal and organizational growth.

• Conflict Resolution for Leaders: Restorative Practices in Action

  This interactive workshop is designed as a "train-the-trainer" session, equipping participants with the tools to excel as Restorative Leaders in their respective campus roles. Attendees will gain practical skills, including facilitation of Restorative Circles, conflict resolution through guided discussions, and strategies to foster team building, all aimed at enhancing collaboration and achieving optimal success.

• Creating Inclusive Organizations 

  Designed to improve awareness and appreciation of cultural differences while highlighting ways to increase professionalism through cultural competency. The workshop features activities, video presentations and in-depth discussions that make for a thought-provoking and engaging experience. It’s guaranteed to change the way you think about inclusiveness — more than 90% of previous participants surveyed agree that all university professionals should experience this workshop!

• Cultivating Connection: The Power of Restorative Practices

  Restorative Practices is a transformative approach to building Relationships and enhancing team dynamics. This interactive training provides an in-depth exploration of Restorative Practices, emphasizing their role in fostering healthy relationships, promoting team cohesion, and cultivating a culture of care across campus. Participants will engage with the foundational principles and evidence-based strategies of Restorative Practices, with a particular focus on their application within classroom settings and professional campus teams. This training incorporates culturally responsive teaching methodologies and hands-on restorative activities, equipping attendees with practical tools to implement a restorative culture of care. By embracing these practices, individuals in all roles on campus will be empowered to enhance engagement, foster accountability, and support academic and professional success.

• Emotional Intelligence 

  Emotional Intelligence is a workshop presented by the Binghamton University UDiversity Educational Institute. In this workshop participants will explore their own emotional intelligence and become knowledgeable on the importance of strengthening it. Participants will become knowledgeable on how emotional intelligence can positively impact relationships.

• Intercultural Communications

  Participants will enhance their intercultural communication skills and better understand the impact of unconscious bias and microaggressions.

• Racial Healing Circle

  UDiversity Educational Institute and The University Counseling Center presents Racial Healing Circles. In this workshop, participants will acknowledge the harm of historical and systemic racial injustices, learn effective communication skills to foster empathy, learn active listening skills to create a safe space for open dialogue on sensitive racial issues, and develop an action plan for ongoing commitment to racial healing and social justice. Lunch will be served!

  This cohort model starts at the beginning of each semester comprised of 3 sessions. If you would like more information please email Jen Smith in UDiversity at jsmith96@binghamton.edu.

• Understanding the Bias Response System

  Participants will understand the importance of responding to a suspected bias incident or hate crime by learning about the university's policies and federal laws that prohibit all forms discrimination. This session will include details about the process for submitting an online bias incident and the role of the university's Bias Incident Response Team. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

Recruitment and Retention

Our mission, in part, is to increase the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups, and to ensure that we are serving a diverse student population. These workshops are hosted by the Office of Equity and Access, the Office of the Vice President of Diversity, and or the Q Center in partnership with UDiversity.

• Inclusive Recruitment: Addressing Unconscious Bias in Searches 

  Understand the legal framework for Affirmative Action policies and practices in the hiring process. The presentation features a video on higher education recruitment statistics, in-depth discussions about unconscious bias in the hiring process and characteristics of a good search committee. Offered exclusively by DEI.

• Inclusive Pedagogy Series

  This is an engaging interactive 3-part series held in a hybrid format covering several topics that include:

  • Part I.
    Creating a Shared Dialogue
    Evaluating the Syllabus
    Universal Design Approaches for Learning
  • Part II.
    Understanding Stereotype Threat and Growth Mindset
    Managing Classroom Disruptions
  • Part III.
    Leading the Civil Dialogue in the Classroom

  These workshops are intended for teaching assistants, faculty (e.g. adjunct, assistant, associate, clinical, etc.) and professional staff that work as academic advisors. Participants will attend one session each month and can elect to attend in person or via Zoom. Lunch is provided for in-person participants and registration is encouraged. Participants will be provided with “tip sheets” after each session. 

• Inclusive Pedagogy: Are you reaching AND teaching ALL Students? For faculty

  Is there a way to teach ALL students and still teach EVERY student? This workshop will present concepts and activities that connect cultural inclusion and pedagogy in course development. Topics include identifying cultural assumptions about learning, applying best practices to teaching and facilitating equitable academic access for all students. Reviews and recommendations for course syllabus will be conducted. Offered exclusively by DEI.

• What it Means to be an Ally. For everyone 

  Learn what it means to be an ally, and how to navigate social justice issues and coalition building. Develop tools to help change interpersonal and institutional cultural barriers to ensure equity across all social identities. Offered by the Q Center.

Student Development 

The following workshops are designed specifically for student participants. Students can find other diversity and equity-focused workshops through the Q Center and Multicultural Resource Center.

• Standing Up and Standing Out: A Self-Esteem Workshop 

  Participants will explore the concept of self-esteem through a personal assessment of strengths and weaknesses, as well as examine peer social circles and their impact on the perception of self and approach to leadership roles.

• What Kind of Leader Are You? 

  This workshop is based on a Myers-Briggs model that examines leadership styles, our perception of each style and how to work more effectively regardless of what style others adopt. The workshop is for students in leadership roles or who aspire to positions of leadership.

• Greek Life Education: Community Building/Hazing Prevention

  This presentation employs a Myers-Briggs model to help participants identify the effects of hazing, assets and liabilities within their organization and opportunities for collaborative programming with other student organizations.

Community- and Campus-Partner Programs

UDiversity offers several programs in partnership with other campus offices and community organizations.

• Racial Justice Deliberations

  This program is based on the Kettering Foundation and National Issues Forum deliberation model and provides participants with tools to dialogue and develop actionable approaches on complex societal challenges. Done in partnership with the Dean of Students Office, Residential Life at Binghamton University and SUNY Broome Community College's President's Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, it provides a space for campus and community members to discuss complex issues that can lead to positive changes for the institution. The deliberation focuses on potential approaches, and their drawbacks, payoffs and tradeoffs as they relate to racial justice. Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to participate.

• Teaching Online Certification Program on Inclusion. For faculty

  Developed in collaboration with the Center for Learning and Teaching, the program is for faculty and instructors of online courses. Based on current research and practices regarding online learning, instructional design concepts and technologies, participants will learn best practices for creating inclusive classrooms and enhancing academic excellence for a diverse student population. Topics include student motivation and metacognition, how to create an inclusive syllabus and navigating cultural barriers in the classroom.

• Youth Employment Preparation Program (YEPP) 

  In collaboration with the Broome-Tioga NAACP and Broome-Tioga Workforce NY, this professional development series for Broome County residents, ages 14 to 24, provides information on employment opportunities and job-ready training including workplace etiquette and interview skill development.