Fall 2015 Diversity Inclusion Program Series

THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAM SERIES AT WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLELGE. This program series is a collaboration between the Division of Student Development, Office of Cultural Diversity, Student Multicultural Appreciation Club (MAC), and the Campus Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The programs reflect a commitment to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, welcoming college environment that reflects the community, workforce, and global society in which we live.

cognitive, linguistic, racial, ethnic, geographic, gender, social, abilities, sexual orientation, and economic — that make us unique individuals. We strive to cultivate a learning environment where all individual differences and perspectives are valued and respected. The programs will support the development of cultural competencies and address aspects of cultural knowledge, awareness, belief systems, sensitivity, and competence.

The program series will heighten awareness that diversity embodies all differences — cultural,

All events are open to students, faculty, staff, and community unless specified.

WKCTC Stars spring 2015

Getting Ahead in a Getting By World workshop, spring 2015

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In Memory of

Kam Chumbler

AUGUST August 3, 2015 Cultural Awareness-Inclusion International Student Orientation (New International Students Only) 10:00 a.m.

Anderson Technical Building • Room 212 WKCTC Campus International student orientation will provide essential information and resources to prepare for success at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) and support cultural adjustment.

Presenters: Tamara Hodges, Principal Designated School Official (PDSO); Amy Elmore, Coordinator of Student Development/Designated School Officer (DSO)

August 11, 2015 Cultural Knowledge / Sensitivity Fall 2015 Kick-Off Teaching Faculty Strategies and Skills for Working with Culturally Diverse Students in the Classroom (WKCTC Employees Only) Culturally responsive practices are specific educational practices, instructional strategies, team processes, and curricula content which have been established by research to increase the achievement of culturally diverse students.

This best practice session will teach Faculty how to be culturally responsive by adjusting their approach to teaching and learning based on the unique backgrounds, needs, and experiences of students. (International students, minorities, LBGT, first generation, underserved, and students with disabilities) Presenter: Dr. Karen Hill Johnson, Director of Career Services

August 11, 2015 Resources / Service / Support Fall 2015 Kick-Off (Best Practice) Increasing Student Engagement and Motivation with Mentoring (WKCTC Employees Only) Mentoring is a proven way to boost student success, engagement and retention. It is also among best practices for success-based community college retention programs. Learn proven and effective strategies to enhance student success via mentoring in an inclusive learning environment. Complete methods will be presented so you can start mentoring with the WKCTC Success Connection Mentoring Program right away!

Presenters: Dr. Perry Baker, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs; Tamara Hodges, Co-Chair WKCTC Success Connection Mentoring Program; Justin Hill, College Counselor/ Co-Chair WKCTC Success Connection Mentoring Program

August – December, 2015 Advocacy / Cultural Awareness Interracial Women’s Group (Every Third Tuesday, Monthly) 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

McCracken County Library • 2nd floor 555 Washington Street • Paducah, KY The Interracial Women’s Group (IWG) promotes positive sisterhood and unity among sisters irrespective of their ethnic, religious, political, nationality, social, or cultural backgrounds.

The group cultivates a social environment to foster ethical values, appropriate conduct, and respect for each other and culture, and raises awareness of community needs and solutions. Meeting locations occasionally vary.

Contact Amanda Wilson, President, at amanda.wilson22@uky.edu, 270-554-9520.

August – December, 2015

Equality / Inclusion / Understanding Continuing the Conversation (Each Thursday) 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Washington Street Baptist Church 721 Washington Street • Paducah, KY Committed individuals and groups come together to discuss and implement ways to build cross-cultural relationships of forgiveness, repentance, hope, justice, equality, and mutual understanding.

Contact Elizabeth (Beth) Khadem, Race Unity Group of Paducah, missbeth95@gmail.com, 270-366-2932.

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SEPTEMBER September 4, 2015 Social / Health / Community Project United 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Salvation Army Gym 2990 Trimble Street • Paducah, KY 42001 This is a community-wide day of service that takes place each year in September. More than 300 volunteers complete dozens of projects at non-profit agencies across Paducah and McCracken County. Projects include painting, landscaping, stocking pantries, office support, and assistance to those most in need.

Contact Monique Zuber at (270) 442-1691 or e-mail monique@unitedwaypaducahorg.

September 15, 2015 Gender Orientation / Awareness Workshop (90 minutes): Choosing to Label: What’s in a Name?

3:00 p.m.

Curris Center Ballroom 1 Murray State University • Murray, KY Bisexual, lesbian, gay, straight, questioning, choose-not-to-label. How do you decide which label to use? What do labels do? What don’t they do? Is it possible to avoid labels? What is the difference between ascribed labels and chosen labels? How can we manage our identities in order to get the maximum benefit with the minimum cost? Let’s think creatively and proactively about identity. This is a participatory workshop. All are welcome.

September 15, 2015 Gender Orientation / Awareness Conversation Dessert (90 minutes): Loosening the Gender Girdle: How Gender Affects You 7:30 p.m.

Curris Center Ballroom 1 & 2 Murray State University • Murray, KY What makes a man a man? What makes a woman a woman? We will look at the ways in which we are limited by a binary understanding of gender, and explore how the politics of gender tie together the feminist, and transgender movements. Come and bring your gender. (presenter info next column)

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Presenter: Robyn Ochs – Ochs is an educator, speaker, awardwinning activist, and editor of the Bi Women Quarterly, the 42-country anthology, Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World and the new anthology RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men. Her writings have been published in numerous bi, women’s studies, multicultural, and LGBT anthologies.

Organized by MSU LGBT Programming. Contact: Jody Cofer Randall, Coordinator at jcofer@murraystate.edu.

September 16, 2015 Behavioral / Health Awareness A Community Approach to Suicide Prevention 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Crounse Hall • Room 101 WKCTC Campus Gain knowledge and skills in planning a community approach to suicide prevention. Equipped with information and resources, family members, community, school and college representatives can be better prepared to identify individuals at risk, how to demonstrate caring behavior and link those at risk to appropriate resources.

Presenters: Micah Thompson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) Clinical Practitioner; Rachelle Ihnen, RN, BSN Clinical Practitioner

September 18, 2015 Knowledge / Persistence / Ability Work and Learn and Adult Education 10:00 a.m.

Emerging Technology Center • Room 109 WKCTC Campus The session consists of a panel discussion on persistence in Adult Education (ABE) English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and General Education Development (GED) programs. The panelist includes GED students and program graduates who will discuss successes, challenges, and the factors that support or inhibit persistence.

Coordinated by Jennifer Etherton, Work & Learn Coordinator; Samantha Williams, Director of Adult Education

September 26, 2015 Social / Health / Community Paducah / McCracken County United Way 5K 9:00 a.m.

Paducah Bank Main Location 555 Jefferson Street • Paducah, KY The United Way 5K is an annual event for over 500 runners and walkers from as far away as Florida. It is part of Barbeque on the River and promotes health and fitness. Serious runners, kids, corporate teams, entire families, and community groups are welcome. 5K Registration is $25 • 1-Mile Youth Run Advanced Registration is $10 Contact (270) 442-1691, email Monique Zuber at monique@unitedwaypaducah.org.

All Events are Open to Students, Faculty / Staff, & Community

September 1-30, 2015 Knowledge / Persistence / Ability First Generation Student Panel – What Kept Students in College and Motivated Them Ongoing Program WKCTC Channel 2 • Paducah2.org First Generation students share their perspective on the factors that motivate them most to remain in college and to succeed.

Career goals, future earnings, knowledge, GPA, additional degrees, family, personal satisfaction, mentoring, emotional and academic support.

Moderated by Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, Vice President of Student Development, WKCTC

September 30, 2015 Cultivate Inclusiveness Celebrating Our Similarities!

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Student Center WKCTC Campus Join members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society as we learn about our cultural differences while celebrating our similarities with an international birthday party! Each of us has a day that we celebrate as our birthday, yet many cultures celebrate birthdays with different customs. Join us for food and fun as you learn about the unique traditions of other cultures. There will be birthday cake, “American-style”, as well as traditions from many of the countries that are represented by the WKCTC student and employee population.

Sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

All Events are Subject to Change

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OCTOBER October 15, 2015

Community Awareness / Service Resources Community Policing 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Crounse Hall • Room 101 WKCTC Campus Paducah Police Chief, Brandon Barnhill, will discuss community relations, law enforcement misconceptions, minority relationships and officer recruitment.

Presenter: Brandon Barnhill, Paducah Police Chief

WINGS College Preparation Program, summer 2015

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October 21, 2015 Behavior Health Awareness Domestic Violence Doesn’t Discriminate 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Crounse Hall • Room 101 WKCTC Campus Mary Foley, Executive Director of Merryman House, will define domestic violence. The impact of violence affects the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of victims and families. The Merryman House provides support services to assist families in rebuilding their lives and confidence. Some services include counseling, employment assistance, and safe shelter.

Presenter: Mary Foley, M.S., LPA, Executive Director of Merryman House

NOVEMBER November 1, 2015 Education & Opportunity Freedom Fund Banquet 3:00 p.m.

Robert Cherry Civic Center 2701 West Park Drive • Paducah, KY Recipients of Boyles/Coleman scholarship will be recognized and other awards presented. A keynote speaker will address current topics related to advancing education and equal opportunity.

Contact J.W. Cleary, NAACP President at 270-519-2391

November 2, 2015 Cultural Awareness Day of the Dead Celebration 11:00 a.m.

Student Center WKCTC Campus West Kentucky Community and Technical College will celebrate the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos, a festive holiday commemorating the lives of deceased family and friends. The celebration will include an explanation of the holiday with short film, special foods, and a display of the ofrendas or altars honoring the deceased. Student organizations will compete for the most creative altar or ofrenda, commemorating a notable Hispanic leader. Prize awarded to winning group.

November 13, 2015

Cultural Awareness / Inclusiveness / Knowledge Calling All Colors 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lone Oak United Methodist Church 3835 Old U.S. Highway 45 South • Paducah, KY Calling All Colors is a program sponsored by 4-H Youth Development, local school systems, Office of Cultural Diversity at WKCTC and Interracial Women’s Group. The 4th through 8th graders from the local school districts attend a one day workshop that allows them to learn about different cultures. Youth engage in activities that promote cultural diversity and understanding in order to breakdown social and cultural barriers.

Celebration will be introduced with the WKCTC Library’s observation of Hispanic Heritage during the month of October.

Displays will feature books on Hispanic culture, history, foods and the Day of the Dead tradition.

Coordinated by Karina Soto, President, WKCTC Hispanic Culture Club; Carolyn Perry, WKCTC Associate Professor of Spanish

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WEST KENTUCKY IDENTIFYING NEEDS GUIDING SUCCESS

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PROGRAM SERIES Office of Cultural Diversity Goals • Foster a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all WKCTC stakeholders (students, employees and community members).

• Promote respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, religion, social and economic status through education.

• Provide resources and support to increase retention, graduation, and transfer rates.

• Prepare our campus and community to live and work successfully in a global society.

Sponsors • • • •

Office of Cultural Diversity Division of Student Development Multicultural Appreciation Club (MAC) Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Contact Information Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell Vice President of Student Development/ Director of Cultural Diversity Office of Cultural Diversity Anderson Technical Building, Room 204.

4810 Alben Barkley Drive P.O. Box 7380 Paducah, KY 42002-7380 belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu 270-534-3081 Tamara K. Hodges Sr. Administrative Assistant for Student Development tamarak.hodges@kctcs.edu 270-534-3069 A Special Thank You to…

• Administrative Services • Brandon Barnhill, Chief of Police – Paducah, KY • Diversity & Inclusion Committee • Jody Cofer Randall, LGBT Program Coordinator – MSU • Multicultural Appreciation Club (MAC) • Mary Beth Head, Graphic Designer – Public Relations • Professional Organizational Development (POD) • Public Relations • WKCTC TV Production Department

Partnerships • 4-H Youth Development • Four Rivers Behavioral Health • Graves County Middle School • Heath Middle School • Hispanic Heritage Club • Interracial Women’s Group in Paducah, KY • Mayfield Independent Middle School • McCracken County Adult Education Program • McCracken County Community Career Endowment, Inc. • Merryman House • Murray State University (MSU), Murray, KY • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) • Paducah City Middle School • Phi Theta Kappa • Paducah Police Department • Professional Organizational Development (POD) • Race Unity Group of Paducah • Reidland Middle School • United Way of Paducah-McCracken County • Washington Street Baptist Church • Work and Learn Program • WKCTC Academic Affairs • WKCTC Matheson Library • WKCTC Student Ambassador Program • WKCTC TV Production Department

WKCTC is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.