August 15, 2005

Purdue's diversity programs help students develop global outlook

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two new programs at Purdue will allow both students and faculty to participate in classes with expanded diversity components this fall semester.

The DiversiKey and the Diversity Fellows programs are based in the Diversity Resource Office, under the direction of Carolyn Johnson, who was appointed interim director for this academic year.

"From recruitment and retention of students to attitudes and experiences on campus, we are building a strong foundation of diversity at Purdue," said Alysa C. Rollock, vice president for human relations. "Dr. Johnson's experience in the African-American Studies and Research Center will give her a unique perspective for the task of enhancing the programs we already have and identifying new projects such as DiversiKey and the Diversity Fellows Program."

The DiversiKey program gives students a chance to enroll in special courses, attend events and work on projects that have diversity as a main focus. The brainchild of the 2004-05 Iron Key honor society, the DiversiKey program is a mixture of many disciplines.

"One of great aspects of the DiversiKey program is that it was entirely designed by a group of students," Johnson said. "Many universities are encouraging students to open their minds to other cultures and different ideas, and here at Purdue, the Iron Key honor society students creatively tackled the challenge and came up with the DiversiKey program. Students can select from a variety of offerings to meet the requirements of the certificate and add this experience to their growing resume."

Students who decide to pursue a certificate in the DiversiKey program will need to exhibit competency in three primary categories: personal growth, interpersonal development and community involvement. Students will then submit a portfolio detailing their involvement in diversity-related courses, events and activities.

The DiversiKey program provides mentors to work closely with students to create development plans and facilitate discussions. The mentors will include students who have already participated in Purdue's Learning through Experience and Awareness in Diversity program for one year, as well as faculty and staff.

The other new program is part of the Diversity in the Classroom Project, which began in 2002. The Diversity Fellows Program provides support for faculty development, implementation and sharing of inclusive approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in the area of diversity. Funded by the Office of the Vice President for Human Relations and the deans of the Colleges of Consumer and Family Sciences, Education and Liberal Arts, the program supports the university's strategic plan objective of "enhancing human and intellectual diversity."

The faculty chosen to receive $2,000 grants to purchase materials or to fund activities related to course development are:

• Charles A. Calahan, clinical assistant professor in the department of child development and family studies, who will revise a class titled "The Family Life Cycle;"

• Nadine Dolby, assistant professor in the department of curriculum and instruction, who will revise "Multicultural Education;"

• M. Carole Pistole, associate professor in the department of educational studies, who will revise "Advanced Multicultural Counseling Theory and Practice;"

• Ala Samarapungavan, associate professor in the department of educational studies, who will revise "Culture and Cognition;"

• Erina L. MacGeorge, assistant professor in the department of communication, who will revise "Introduction to Communication Theory;" and

• Silvia Oliveria, assistant professor in the department of foreign languages and literatures, who will teach a new class called "Brazilian, Portuguese and African Cinema."

"This program will give faculty the opportunity to express what we already know, that diversity is not a separate topic in education," Johnson said. "We've always had a diverse world; we just need to learn how to appreciate and value it."

Writers: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Maggie Morris (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Alysa Rollock, (765) 494-5830, acrollock@purdue.edu

Carolyn Johnson, (765) 494-7307, cjohnso2@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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