2012 Diversity Academy

2011 Diversity Academy cohort
(standing, left to right: Jack Hames, Tray Robinson, Dawn Frank, Rich Rosecrance, Molly Heck, Mary Wallmark, Stephanie Chervinko, Elise Cole, Elizabeth Renfro, Deanna Pierro, Pamela Morrell, Teri Todd, Linda Kline, Tamra Donnelly, Jodie Rettinhouse, Vikki Bass, Casey Huff, Susan Shaw, Tracy Butts; seated, left to right: Adrienne Scott, Jennifer Duggan, Diane Schmidt, Caren Fernandez, Kaitlyn Baumgartner; not picture: Kate McCarthy and Patricia Black)

The 2012 Diversity Academy is to be held this summer, July 16to July 26, 2012. During this intensive and interactive two-week summer seminar, participants will draw both on a wide variety of readings from experts in diversity and social inequality as well as their own experiences and knowledge. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom (1994), by bell hooks,  and Readings for Social Justice and Diversity (2010), edited by Maurianne Adams and et al., are the assigned texts for the seminar.

The Diversity Academy’s objectives are several: 1) develop best practices for synthesizing diversity in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities; 2) develop a shared understanding of diversity and increase competencies in our educational offerings and diversity efforts; 3) cultivate interests in applied research and funding opportunities in the field of diversity studies; and 4) establish an ongoing community discussion in which issues related to diversity can be addressed among colleagues across disciplines and divisions.  Furthermore, the Diversity Academy supports several of the Diversity Action Plan (DAP) priorities and tasks, such as increasing the diversity competencies of Chico State faculty and staff and fostering a shared understanding of diversity.

The seminar will meet Monday, July 16^th through Thursday, July 19^th and Monday, July 23^rd through Thursday, August 26^th.  Sessions will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.  Space is limited to fifteen (15) people.  Participants in the Diversity Academy will receive an iPad and all seminar materials.  Consequently, they will be expected to 1) attend all sessions from July 16^th to July 26^th, 2) complete all of the reading assignments, 3) make a presentation to the CSU, Chico community, and 4) participate in the greater community of diversity agents across the CSU, Chico campus to collaborate and mentor the next cohort.

 Applications are due on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 and can be obtained on the Office of Diversity and Cross Cultural Leadership Center websites.  For more information or to obtain an electronic copy of the application materials, please contact Tracy Butts at CDO@csuchico.edu or (530) 898-5202.  All application materials should be saved as pdf files and submitted electronically to Tracy Butts at CDO@csuchico.edu.

Please share news of this exciting opportunity with your colleagues and encourage them to apply.