Multicultural Competencies Institute (MCI)

As of October 5, we are no longer accepting registrations for the MCI.

Title: 
Re-Assessing Diversity Training: Providing Sustainable Training Tools and Techniques to Prepare and Empower our Students

MCI Faculty Presenter:
Dr. Mary Ferguson
University Diversity Officer
Indiana State University

Saturday, November 12, 2011
1:00pm to 6:00pm (Eastern Standard Time)

Cost:
$30.00 (covers materials and dinner)

Location: 
Amyway Grand Plaza
Grand Gallery Overlook E/F

Limited to the first 20 participants.

Click here for the Registration Page

MCI Registration is processed through the same system as the Annual Conference, but appears as a separate event.  Instructions appear on the Registration Page.

As campus populations become more and more diverse, it is important for housing officers to prepare hall staffs and administrative employees to work within a framework of understanding and tolerance. This year's Multicultural Competencies Institute (MCI) features Dr. Mary Ferguson, Diversity Officer at Indiana State University, in preparing housing officers from all levels of experience to lead effective, sustainable diversity trainings. Participants can expect to gain insight into various methods of diversity training and to gain unique tools to use on their own college campuses.

Participants engaged in MCI will:

• Develop skills and perspectives needed to progress in the field of Student Affairs/Housing;
• Connect with faculty who are veteran professionals in residence life and related fields;
• Share ideas and learn from others via one-on-one and small-group time;
• Understand the benefits and limitations of leading diversity trainings themselves;
• Gain a framework on how to facilitate a diversity training session;
• Learn techniques on how to better facilitate diversity training sessions for paraprofessional staff (undergraduate and graduate) and professional staff;
• Gain useful and tangible means to facilitate diversity training sessions (e.g., specific training exercises, worksheets, handouts);
• Gains tools for front line staff to have in their “toolboxes” to prepare them for addressing diversity/social justice issues;
• Learn hot button issues should be considered when training on diversity/social justice;
• Discuss how to take diversity/social justice training to a new level in a meaningful and intentional way;
• Tailor the tool and strategies to reflect the uniqueness of their respective institutions.

In addition to serving as the primary diversity officer at ISU since 2009, Dr. Ferguson has also "served as the director of community policy and the racial equity collaborative for FOCUS St. Louis, as a researcher and facilitator trainer for the Anti-Defamation League's A World of Difference Institute and as senior program facilitator for youth, family and community development with the American Youth Foundation" (2009, http://www.indstate.edu/news/news.php?newsid=1708). Her doctoral dissertation related to social justice issues.