Making Diversity personal requires that each one of us accepts the responsibility
for our workplace culture and the educational climate at Western Carolina University.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs (EODP) offers training and
compiles resources, published here, for all members of our WCU community.
Training Offered
Below is diversity-centered training offered by various units on-campus.
Green Zone Training
An initiative to support student veterans and educate the campus community. For more information, contact Briana Ford, Director of Military Student Services, at 828-227-3074 or blford@wcu.edu.
Safe Zone Training
The Safe Zone Program provides training to students, faculty, staff, and community
members to increase awareness and sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality. Safe
Zone also creates a network of support, resources, and allies committed to supporting
gender, sexuality, and identity issues reflected in the campus and the local community.
Please, direct your questions to safezone@email.wcu.edu.
National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI)
"The National Coalition Building Institute is an international non-profit leadership
development network dedicated to the elimination of racism and other forms of oppression."
EODP has established a group of trainers at WCU that are equipped to facilitate diversity
and inclusion training across campus. NCBI launched in April 2018, and sessions are
currently being scheduled for Fall 2018.
Click here to learn more about NCBI and how to register for training.
Please, direct questions to ncbi@wcu.edu.
Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI)
WCU will offer the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI), the premier cross-cultural assessment of intercultural competence, to faculty, staff,
and students beginning Summer 2018. The IDI is used by thousands of individuals and
organizations to build intercultural competence to achieve both international and
domestic diversity and inclusion goals and outcomes. The cost for the survey, feedback
and individualized intercultural development plan is $30. Questions? Contact Jill
Cargile, Director of the Intensive English Program and IDI® Licensed Qualifying Examiner,
at jscargile@wcu.edu.
Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence
Currently, under development, this certificate program will help students to develop
an appreciation for their own cultural identities. Additionally, students will utilize
that awareness to become critically self-reflective in their focus around differences
in the cultural identities of others as viewed through the lenses of race, ethnicity,
gender, class, sexual orientation and others.
Diversity Resources
WCU Resources and Groups
- LGBTQ Working Group - The mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Working
Employee Resource Group is to facilitate conversations and actions that increase and
sustain an affirming campus climate for individuals and groups from a diversity of
gender expressions and sexual orientations. Further, we promote dialogue around gender
and sexuality that are supportive and educational in support of the University mission
and values.
- Intercultural Dialogue Group - The We Walk Together Intercultural Dialogue Group has monthly gatherings, which
either involve a potluck meal and culture presentation on campus or a shared service
project. An added benefit of this group is WCU students can earn DegreePlus Cultural Responsiveness points and WCU staff can use their Community Service Hours.
- International Faculty and Staff Council - A group of international faculty and staff at WCU, to promote diversity and inclusion
at WCU and the local community. The Council consists of faculty and staff with international
heritage as well as faculty and staff who are interested in promoting international
cultural understanding on WCU campus and in the communities of western North Carolina.
External Resources Supporting Diversity in Higher Education
Conferences on Diversity
