Starting this fall, WSU Vancouver employees have the opportunity to participate in the Building a Community of Equity Professional Development Program. The program provides conceptual and practical frameworks, self-reflection and group discussion, skill-building, and action steps to align with and advocate for equity throughout campus.
Begin by taking the Intercultural Development Inventory pre-assessment to determine your current level of cultural awareness and to help you select the best workshops for you. Next, commit to at least two workshops a year. When you have completed at least 12 hours of workshops, including the IDI pre- and post-assessment debrief, you are eligible for the Building a Community of Equity Professional Development Certificate.
BaCE is led by Director of Equity and Diversity Obie Ford III. “We are in this work together, and as the inaugural campus director of equity and diversity, I am excited to lead the construction and realization of an equity infrastructure for our campus,” Obie said. “BaCE represents a critical piece of this infrastructure as it equips our community with resources and tools to disrupt and dismantle systemic barriers. In turn, this facilitates the ways in which we show up to serve, love, inspire, create and elevate our community.”
Obie and a committee worked hard last year to develop the BaCE curriculum for a fall launch. Committee members include:
- Randy Boose, director of human development
- Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs
- Colton Lindelof, admissions counselor
- Sue Phelps, health sciences and outreach services librarian
- Shameem Rakha, clinical assistant professor in the College of Education
- Tracy Tachiera, instructor in the human development department
- Sky Wilson, Student Diversity Center advisor
“We are stronger doing this work together. BaCE is brave, transformative work that will have a proactive and profound effect on our campus community of faculty, staff and, most importantly, students,” said Obie.
Watch for more information on upcoming BaCE workshops in future editions of Campus FYI and on the events calendar. You can also learn more by visiting the BaCE website.
BaCE supports WSU Vancouver’s Strategic Plan, Goal 4: Equity and Diversity.
