Foundation Series
The Dietrich School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops are anti-bias educational programs that establish welcoming, inclusive and diverse environments where faculty and staff can engage in productive conversations on topics such as identity, the impact of stereotypes, bias and discrimination. Participants experience each of the four consecutive sessions as a cohort through interactive and engaging discussions and activities. Each individual gains strategies to positively impact the campus climate in the Dietrich School and CGS.
Series Purpose
Explore how each staff and faculty member impact diversity and inclusion in the Dietrich School and CGS.
Objectives
- Identify effective strategies to respond effectively to bias,
- Implement effective practices in the Dietrich School and CGS, and
- Engage with others across the school to build an inclusive campus community.
Details
- 4- 2- 2.5 hour sessions via ZOOM
- Cohort style learning - participants must commit to completing all courses in sequential order
Fall 2024 Dates
Participants must commit to attend all sessions within set offering.
- October 10, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM
- October 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM
- October 14, 2024 from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- October 15, 2024 from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Course Descriptions
Session 1: Establishing our Group
This kickoff session introduces the fundamental concepts of the ADL campus training. As a group, ground rules will be established and experiences shared through diversity activities.
Session 2: Developing a Common Language
Every individual has different experiences they bring to every interaction. This session explores how those experiences differ greatly from one to another. We will discuss varying power dynamics and bias through multiple interactive experiences.
Session 3: One Person- Many Roles
Microaggressions happen all around us. What difference does one person make when addressing these? You wear multiple hats on campus as an individual and make decisions when to put on which hat in your role. We will explore each of these in our session. Multiple video clips will lead to robust discussions and activities for exploration.
Session 4: Where do WE go from here?
How can each of us be an ally? How do we begin making change in the Dietrich School? Through self assessments, we will identify our next steps in our departments and the school at large.
Check out what Participants are saying about the DEI training!
- “Excellent training! I wish everyone one could do this. The exercises were well designed, leading us to be more open as we got more comfortable with each other. I hated to see them end.”
- “I don't think the training would be as valuable if it was abbreviated or if it was protracted over several weeks. The concentration and intensity was just right for enabling us to come together as a community. Having it span the four days enabled me to focus solely on the training and reflect upon it after each session instead of losing track as other things drew my attention.”
- “Throughout the series, I never felt like I wanted or needed to be someplace else, or like I didn't have time for it. It was absolutely worth it.”
- “I will recommend this training to everyone. What I particularly valued was the way the activities had the potential to generate many, many different kinds of conversations depending on the individuals involved. I see this is as so much more meaningful than the kind of training that pushes prefabricated messages. These latter types of training always seem to belittle the knowledge of the participants. What I loved about this training is that I learned a lot because it worked more like a workshop in which we were learning from each other than a training session per se.”
- “I wish that the DEI training went on for longer. This is unrealistic but I wish that there were 8 sessions instead of 4.”
- “I found it very beneficial that our group activities were never with the same people. It made relationships with the entire group close. We were interactive with all the participants so you always felt inclusive.”
- “This training was simply the most valuable professional development experience I have ever had. The time and commitment are more than repaid in the returns for culture, community, and personal growth.”
- “This training was educational, eye opening, thought provoking and fun. I believe everyone left much better than when we came.”
- “Not only did the session prepare me for countering my own biases, I also feel that more people attending this session will impact experienced biases at the University.”
- “This was by far the most informational, impactful, and literally life-changing training that I have ever been through as a Pitt employee. Common topics were discussed, but nothing was discussed in a "common" way. I think what also contributed to the success of the training was the enthusiasm and heartfelt participation provided by each participate - such investment was not "required," but by providing that emotional investment, it literally elevated the training from "typical" to "outstanding."”
- “This training was different from any other training I have attended at Pitt. It really forces you to take a good, hard look at yourself and recognize your own privileges, or lack thereof. It forces you out of your comfort zones and requires a degree of vulnerability. I know that sounds terrifying, but it was the most eye opening experience. Usually, we only see one dimension of our colleagues. We may pass judgement on them for certain things, but we never really know what's going on behind the scenes or what they deal with day-to-day. The training allowed us to open up and speak to each other on a human level and make genuine connections with each other. I think that was the best part. We went in as colleagues and left as friends.”
- “I would tell others to go, it is well worth the time! My experience was a WOW moment, eye opening!
- "I really enjoyed the vulnerability and accountability of everyone in this training. It makes me hopeful that Pitt is working on creating a genuine sense of belonging for those who may not have felt it in the beginning.”
Questions? Contact Organization Development.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2.0: Experiencing Pittsburgh’s Communities
DEI 2.0 is a three-month immersive, hands-on community engagement experience that provides our staff and faculty an opportunity to interact with one another and the communities the University of Pittsburgh has committed to serving. The pilot launched in September 2023 with two Homewood organizations. DSAS/CGS faculty and staff volunteer approximately 10 hours each month. All participants have completed the DEI Foundation Training. Participants are split into groups that work with community members to build connections and develop action plans to support the organization’s initiatives. Dietrich School participants share their expertise and ideas with community partners to determine how they can best collaborate.
Our current partners include:
Operation Better Block (OBB)
OBB’s mission is to “bring Homewood back” and change the reputation of the community, making it a better, safer, and cleaner neighborhood. OBB supports the community with affordable housing, scheduled lot maintenance, gardening projects, youth training, development, and more.
Homewood Community Sports (HCS)
HCS works with the youth in Homewood to offer afterschool programming and a sports program with leagues. The kids participating receive coaching and mentorship from HCS volunteers.
After only one month into the program, the participants have been able to assist with staffing football games for the youth, identify afterschool meal programs and employment relationships, create grant templates, and provide operational support for both organizations.
Want to join us? Contact Organization Development!