Diversity: NCORE 2006 Important Sessions for North

Undermining Diversity Initiatives: A Fierce Conversation About the Behavior of Diversity Leaders, Advocates and Their Allies

Presented by Denys S. Blell, President, Beyond Diversity Consulting-Tampa, Florida

This interactive session seeks to generate open and honest conversation about the behavior of diversity leaders, advocates and their allies. The author/presenter proposes that their actions are often not in sync with the essential principles of diversity in a pluralist society: Trust, Respect, Honesty, Truth, Fairness, Openness, Care, Personal Accountability, Flexibility and Forgiveness. Through dialogue, as well as activities that promote deeper levels of introspection and conversations, participants explore what it means to be an exemplary leader and advocate in a movement that derives its authority from moral, ethical and legal imperatives. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the consequences of unprincipled behavior for diversity initiatives and the possibility of revitalization, given emerging evidence from the field, and to further reflect on strategies for fostering and engendering principled behaviors and leadership in their respective institutions.

Critical Discourse on Multiculturalism in the 21st Century: What has Changed and What Tools do Students Need?

Presented by Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy, Executive Director, National Association of Student personnel Administrators (NASPA)-Washington D.C. and Matt Calfin, PhD., Dean of Students, Acadia University-Wolfville, Nova Scotia Canada

The domestic and geopolitical discussion about diversity and globalism continues to emphasize the increased polarization among groups around differing racial, ethnic, cultural, economic, political, religious, and gendered value systems. However, in American society these discussions are beginning to localize under only a few major headings such as one's affiliation with a political agenda, a religious ideology, and a cultural value system. Bipolar discussions have become the norm: economic prosperity vs. social responsibility and the poor; compassionate conservatism vs. ethnic indifference; intelligent design vs. evolution; American values vs. the politics of immigration; race-neutral ideas vs. diversity. How can colleges and universities best prepare their students to cope with such volatile controversies? What are the most effective analytical tools that will facilitate the social and intellectual development of students? What is the opportunity-cost of not preparing students to become conscientious citizens?

Driving Line Accountability Using a Diversity Accountability Scorecard

Presented by Edward E. Hubbard, PhD., President and CEO, Hubbard and Hubbard, Inc .and Founder of the Hubbard Diversity Measurement and Productivity institute-St. George, Utah

Many professionals interested in diversity have asked: "How will we be able to drive line accountability for diversity to the organization's bottom line? How do we show senior executives and others that diversity is a strategic business partner that is aligned and linked to the strategic goals and objectives of the organization? How can we measure the impact of diversity on organizational performance and improved work environment? How does the strategic diversity process help your organization excel in the domestic and global marketplace and provide favorable returns to stockholders and stakeholders? If your organization is like most, you've probably found it challenging answering these questions. Organizations are increasingly challenged to find ways to build diversity accountability that provides a measurable difference to organizational performance. Based upon Dr. Hubbard's research and ground-breaking diversity measurement books: Measuring Diversity Results, How to Calculate Diversity Return On Investment (DROI), Implementing Diversity Measurement and Management, and The Diversity Scorecard, this session offers proven techniques and information that allow organizations, education and business professionals to learn how to utilize realistic, "data-based" tools for tracking, monitoring and analyzing diversity initiatives, at the line level. In this session, you will (1) learn how to select the right "mix" of measures to deploy a Diversity Accountability Plan, (2) determine ways to translate diversity results into financial results, (3) understand some important considerations for linking your scorecard to strategy, (4) determine what measures you might use to cascade diversity functional plans to the line, and (5) examine a sample Diversity Accountability and Responsibility Index and Its Metrics.

Senior Diversity Officers in Higher Education: Models, Best Practices, and Challenges

Presented by Katrina Wade-Golden, PhD., Senior Research Specialist, Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan and Damon A. Williams, PhD., Assistant Vice Provost, Office of Multicultural and international Affairs, University of Connecticut-Storrs, Connecticut

Leadership Development–This interactive session will engage participants in a discussion of major structures, challenges, and approaches to implementing the work of the Senior Diversity Officer in higher education. Principles and activities presented in the session are grounded in empirical research that examined the models of more than 100 institutions and featured interviews with over 50 current former officers and other experts as the Senior Diversity Officer’s role in higher education. More specifically the session will: (1) present the Senior Diversity Officer Development Framework (SDODF) in terms of Strategy, Organizational Structure, Lateral Coordination, Change Management Principles, and Skills and Background of Officers; (2) present the Models and Best Practices of 3-5 Institutions with interesting and unique models and approaches to implementing the work of the SDO; (3) engage participants in a small group exercise regarding challenges associated with establishing and optimizing SDO units in higher education; (4) engage participants in a facilitated dialogue regarding best practice programs and change management techniques associated with doing the work of the Senior Diversity Officer; and (5) discuss differences and similarities between the SDO and Chief Diversity Officer role often found in the corporate environment. This session is relevant for all members of the higher education community and is especially relevant for administrators, faculty, and staff members who are interested in organizational change and launching senior diversity officer units in higher education.

Diversity Initiative: Moving towards Community

Presented by Mark Brimhall-Vargas, Assistant Director, Office of Human Relations Programs, University of Maryland-College Park, Maryland

This session focuses on five core principles/tools necessary to create a comprehensive campus-wide diversity action plan—accountability, inclusiveness, shared responsibility, evaluation, and institutionalization. It is designed to provide a framework for understanding and creating successful diversity programs that focus on campus-wide priorities. A case study that utilizes the five core principles will be used to demonstrate how these principles can help to construct and institutionalize diversity programs on college campuses.