Diversity and Inclusion Opportunities

The knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an increasingly diverse campus and interconnected world are substantial. The Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and its partners equip faculty, staff members and students with a variety of tools and resources necessary to be welcoming and inclusive of our diverse campus community through workshops, seminars and trainings.

Any of the workshops listed below can be adapted or combined to meet the specific needs of your particular unit. They are available upon request.

To inquire about training and educational offerings, email inclusion@msu.edu or call 517-353-4563 to connect with the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives. 

• Introduction to Inclusion
  This interactive session is divided into two segments. In the first part of the program, participants will work to understand a range of social identities often applied to ourselves and others. Key terms are addressed and the historical context of various groups is discussed. In the second portion of the program, participants will consider the ways in which these categories apply to themselves,how this shapes their own identities, and how their identities influence the ways in which they interact with others.

• Introduction to Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
  This interactive session focuses on three parts. To begin, participants will learn about the universal phenomenon of implicit bias: what it is, why it happens, how it happens, and when it is most likely to happen. Then participants will have an opportunity to explore their own implicit bias and how it impacts the ways in which they interact with others. Finally, we introduce the concept of microaggressions as one outcome of implicit bias and provide suggestions for ways to reduce the incidence of bias in our daily lives.

• Building an Inclusive Workplace
  This interactive session is divided into three segments. In the first part of the program, participants will work to understand and identify categories associated with the various labels we apply to ourselves and others in our everyday lives. In the second portion of the program, participants will consider the ways in which these categories apply to themselves and how this shapes their interactions with others. The final portion of the program will introduce participants to a team-building exercise designed to enhance self-awareness and bridge connections.

• Disrupting Bias in the Academy
  This workshop begins with the Introduction to Implicit Bias. Results from the Faculty Inclusion and Excellence Study will be presented as evidence of how implicit bias plays out in attitudes, behaviors, and overall culture at MSU. Qualitative data on Underrepresented Minority Faculty will be provided to allow for a deeper discussion on how these incidents affect the overall campus environment. Participants will also receive suggestions on how to increase awareness of their own biases and strategies to address them.

• Racial Literacy
  The foundation for the workshop is Dr. Howard Stevenson’s book and program, “Promoting Racial Literacy in Schools: Differences that Make a Difference (Teachers College Press, 2014). Participants will consider their own experiences with racial encounters and racial socialization, as well as learn how to reduce negative stress through successful engagement with and negotiation of racial conflicts.

• Preparing for the Next Encounter
  Based on the Racial Literacy workshop, participants will identify an encounter (or theme of encounters) they have had in the workplace that is identity-based (either a race-based topic with a colleague or client of a different racial/ethnic background than themselves or other identity markers such as gender, sexuality, religion, political ideology, etc.). This encounter (or theme) should be one that they are unsatisfied with: they wish the encounter had gone differently, that they handled the situation differently, the outcome were different, etc. The session will include an opportunity to process this event and brainstorm alternatives for a more satisfying outcome, ultimately preparing and empowering the participants for the next encounter. Participants should come to the workshop with this encounter in mind and be prepared to share their experiences in small and large groups.

• Building an Inclusive Classroom
  In this interactive session, participants will review inclusive classroom best practices including reducing bias, promoting dialogue, and curriculum design. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own identity and bias and consider how this affects their interactions with students. Suggestions are also provided for how to help students engage in the same reflective process.

• Inclusive Leadership
  This session, focused on MSU leadership, will review the University’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive campus environment for faculty, staff, and students. It will include an overview of implicit bias and how it influences the recruitment, retention, and success of a diverse workforce. Results from the Faculty Inclusion and Excellence Study will be included as an illustration of issues specific to, but not unique to, MSU. Administrators will also learn about the latest initiatives and expectations to train and support all University employees in these areas.

• Diversifying and Retaining Faculty and Staff
  This session focuses on the search process and the ways in which bias can impact the candidate pool and hiring outcomes. It will also cover specific strategies to retain diverse faculty over time.

• Transforming Theatre Ensemble

  Transforming Theatre Ensemble (TTE) produces interactive theatre presentations that engage people in critical thinking around topics that are sometimes difficult to discuss. TTE’s process is interactive and requires creative and collaborative problem solving from all participants. Together, we generate ideas for how we can do our part in making MSU a more inclusive place to learn, work, and live for everyone. TTE will collaborate with you to design an interactive theatre experience that specifically suits the population you are looking to serve.

• Incorporating Dialogue Into the Workplace
  Working toward equity and inclusion requires we work in true partnership with individuals who are different than ourselves. To work in a true partnership, though, we must first learn to listen to, and learn from, the perspectives of others. This engaging, interactive session supports participants in learning skills that are foundational to engaging in dialogue across difference, ultimately supporting us in working toward a more inclusive workplace.

For Students

• Building an Inclusive Community
  This interactive session explores the meaning of inclusion, builds participants’ awareness of their identities, and engages participants in dialogue about how they can, both individually and as a collective group, actively work to be inclusive in their everyday life. This workshop is ideal for student groups, as it supports them in furthering their personal awareness of their identities and how that relates to their engagement in the greater MSU community.

• Bystander Intervention

  This interactive session engages participants in learning strategies for intervening when they witness an act of hate or bias, including racist jokes, microaggressions, harassment, or another form of discrimination. Participants will also explore barriers or obstacles that can inhibit how someone intervenes. By the end, all participants will have gained a toolkit for intervening in incidents of hate and bias, as well as develop personal goals for themselves to utilize said tool kit.

  Please note, we tailor workshops to meet the needs of the individual group, so if there is a workshop you are envisioning that is not on our list, or if you would like a modification of workshop on our list, please contact us to discuss next steps.