The Diversity Education and Training Lab serves as a conduit for Kent State’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s mission to “empower individuals, expand opportunities, and meaningfully honor all voices” both within the university system and beyond.
This vision is accomplished through collaborative efforts that lead to research-grounded learning experiences. These experiences increase the cultural and linguistic competencies of participants, empower agents of change who value diversity and cultivate more inclusive and equitable environments.
The Diversity Education and Training Lab follows Sue’s Model for Cultural Diversity Training, based on a 3 × 3 × 3 matrix, which analyzes an organization’s functional focus (recruitment, retention and promotion), barriers (differences, discrimination and systemic factors), and cross-cultural competencies (beliefs/attitudes, knowledge and skills).
Among its many customizable offerings, the Diversity Education and Training Lab offers:
- Cultural Competency Basics and Awareness
- Leadership, Mindset and Care
- Understanding Unconscious Bias
- Microaggressions
- Inclusive Leadership
- Facilitating Difficult Conversations
- Dynamic Dialogues on a variety of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Topics
- Diversifying and Retaining Faculty and Staff
- Safe Space - Ally
- Facilitated by the LGBTQ Student Center.
- Safe Space – Trans 101
- Facilitated by the LGBTQ Student Center.
- Social Perspective Sharing
- Facilitated by Mike Daniels, Assistant Director for the Student Multicultural Center.
- Green Dot
- Facilitated by Sven Rundman, Program Coordinator for the Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services Center.
These are in addition to offerings in partnership with other areas, including the Women’s Center. New offerings are currently being developed including one on the Power of Words and Intercultural Communication.
In addition to the learning experiences which align with Division and institutional goals, the Diversity Education and Training Lab also offers the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), a research-based tool that measures the capability to shift cultural perspective and appropriately adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonalities, which we refer to as “intercultural competence.” This tool allows individuals and groups to gain valuable insight into what’s considered one of the most valuable skills in today’s business and professional world, a skill that is highly valued and sought after by Fortune 500 companies and public organizations alike. To learn more about the IDI® and how you can use it for your group, please visit our site or email us at DEITraining@kent.edu. You may also call 330-672-8563.
Haven’t had any experience with the Diversity Education and Training Lab yet?
Look for upcoming “open sessions” in the University’s calendar and on the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s website. Anyone is welcome to attend. Pre-registration is preferred but not necessary.