Unity Star
Distribution: All Without OPS and F
Summer 2012
Newsletter
Diversity Week: Mark Your Calendars
Planning is underway, the dates are set, and reminders are out. Mark your calendars, and get ready to share with us a remarkable week of events. From the Diversity Breakfast on October 15th, to the array of workshops and programs that will feature inspiring subjects, great facilitators and guest speakers, the week should prove to be educational and motivational. Our theme, Diversity Week: Twenty Outstanding Years, will reflect on the work our community has done to educate and empower our UCF family and beyond. We hope you’ll find time to join us during Diversity Week, October 15-19, 2012.
Spring DiversiTea A Noteworthy Event A true performer, sages of freedom Dr. JoAnne Stephento lighthearted son, shined when melodies, like the technology failed those found in her. She didn’t let a Beans and Cornlittle technical glitch bread, music creor lost audio stop her ated by African from continuing her Americans has presentation. She transformed the even sang a few lines cultural landDr. Stephenson talks jazz. from some of the scape. songs she selected to Photo by Dayanara Hudson Dr. Stephenson feature at our March 29th DiversiTea. shared not only influential masterCulturally motivated, the Spring more on page 2 DiversiTea provided our audience with a glimpse into the history of African American music. The event brought together a blend of faculty, staff, and students, who walked away with tidbits of knowledge about the Blues, Gospel and Jazz rhythms. From the Boogie Woogie, to 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, to Rappers’ Delight, African American rhythms have influenced varied musical genres for Dr. Stephenson appears to reminisce as decades. Filled with inspiring mes-
UCF: A Veteran Friendly Campus
St. Louis Blues plays on the screen. Photo by Dayanara Hudson
Director’s Corner Eight thousand participants can’t possibly be wrong! What’s the significance of this statement? It is the number of attendees in education and training sessions facilitated by the Office of Diversity Initiatives during 20102011. From a very general introductory course like the ABCs of Diversity, to a more focused session such as DOTS: Understanding Your “Hidden” Bias, to an emphasis on the dynamics of culture as found in Communicating Across Cultures, members of the UCF community are attending diversity training sessions for their own personal growth and development or to satisfy a class or work-related requirement. Feedback from these sessions tends to be overwhelmingly positive. For example: “I Learned a lot… I think this is necessary for all educators.” “This session was excellent. We have to be aware of diversity issues to be able to help make a positive difference in this world.” “Excellent presentation with great content! Thank you so much.” “Eye-opening! People usually don’t take culture into consideration when communicating.” More on page 3