College Connection: Exploring diversity
By Randy Griffin
Friday, September 25, 2009 10:28 AM PDT
Last year, Treasure Valley Community College introduced our Diversity Dialogue events to our campus and the community. These academic symposiums were designed to strategically convene local and national experts to examine topics related to social justices and community transformation. Invited panelists came to campus to help provide a context for understanding and advocacy through dialogue and exchange with TVCC’s faculty, staff, students and guests.
We were so encouraged by the response and community support that TVCC’s Diversity Council has once again taken the lead on bringing opportunities for dialogue by organizing the first-ever Explorations in Diversity: A Community Celebration and Conference.
This premier event will take place Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 here in Ontario. Registration for the conference is $25 for community members and $15 for students with ID, if registered by Thursday; after Thursday, the registration fee is $35. The cost includes breakfast, lunch and workshops for the conference.
As we work to increase diversity awareness on our campus, we want to share those same opportunities with our community members. Specifically, we have designed a conference that we believe has tremendous value for local teachers, church leaders, parents and others who work with youth.
The activities Oct. 9 include a free family-friendly community celebration with cultural presentations and exhibits from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in TVCC’s Weese Building. We are especially excited to feature performances by the Toei Kai Japanese Dancers, the Habibi Nada Middle Eastern Dance Troupe and the Home Again Singers Drum Group for the Metis. Local restaurants will also be offering food items featuring Basque, Irish, Japanese, Mexican and Native American cuisine for purchase. Interactive displays with photos and presentations will also be a highlight of the evening’s activities.
TVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members will present information on supplies raised to support medical charities including Expansion International, Mali Heart, Hands of Hope, Dr. Fred and Jodi Stark’s free clinics and Medical Teams International.
Events Oct. 10 kick off with a breakfast and a performance by Ron Sam, a flutist from the Red River Powwow Association. Two incredible keynote speakers, a panel discussion and workshops will also be featured. Sam Byrd, from Diversity Works, will share ideas on creating a framework for talking about diversity for teachers, business owners, community members and high school- and college-age students. The panel discussion “Exploring Cultures” will present personal perspectives from Betty Carter, Byrd, Dalila Mong and Tara Dominick.
The concluding keynote presentation will be given by Michael Eselun. Come hear this compelling discussion with the Co-Chair for GLIDE, Gays & Lesbians Initiating Dialogue for Equality, as he presents an open and honest dialogue about equality and understanding.
Workshops featuring discussions and presentations on global health initiatives, immigration, native American community and culture, women’s issues and disability awareness will also be offered throughout the afternoon.
For complete workshop descriptions and registration information, please see TVCC’s Web site at www.tvcc.cc, or call Cathy Yasuda, (541) 881-8822, ext. 201.
Randy Griffin is acting president of Treasure Valley Community College. He can be reached at rgriffin@tvcc.cc or (541) 881-8822, ext. 310
