The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) is designed to reinforce the University’s core values of diversity and inclusion through a series of six introductory-level workshops open to all faculty and staff. The workshops address both individual behaviors and University policies that can impact an environment of opportunity and success for all members of the University community. Participants will leave these workshops with an increased awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion to an environment of academic and workplace success.
The Program requires completion of two required workshops and four elective workshops. All workshops required to earn the DICP certificate will be offered on a rotating basis each fall and spring through the Faculty and Staff Development Program (FSDP). Participants can take these workshops in any order. To complete the program, participants will be asked to participate in a capstone conversation session facilitated by a member of the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Participants are expected to track their own progress and use the online DICP Completion Form to report completion of required courses.
The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program consists of the following workshops (View courses offered this semester):
Two required core workshops:
- Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Environment: The WHY and HOW
- Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Your Responsibility
Choose four elective workshops:
- Baby Boomers to Millennials: Respect and Productivity in the Workplace
- Creating Equal Access: Getting Started with Digital Accessibility
- Different Like You: Recognizing Stereotypes and Removing Barriers
- Gender Theory, Gender Diversity, and Trans-Inclusive Spaces
- Identity, Power, and Privilege
- Individuals with Disabilities: Creating an Accommodating and Inclusive Environment
- Intercultural Competency: Beyond the Basics
- Microaggression: Recognizing and Challenging a Subtle Form of Bias
- Religion Diversity: Challenging Assumptions to Advance Inclusion
- Veterans on Campus: Understanding Resources and Opportunity
- Workplace Bullying: Understanding a Barrier to Equal Opportunity
- Allies Network Training
See workshop descriptions below:
Core
Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Environment: The WHY and HOW
Presenters: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
When we talk about diversity and inclusion, diversity is the more familiar topic. The discussion must go beyond seeking and building a diverse workforce to include how we make those whom we work with feel both valued and included. Workshop participants will discuss the differences between diversity, inclusion, and exclusion. They will also leave this workshop with a heightened awareness of the importance of inclusion to a successful workplace and, how to promote inclusion in their workplace.
Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Your Responsibility
Presenters: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion/Civil Rights and Title IX Office
This workshop is designed to promote a common and consistent understanding and application of the University of Pittsburgh policies, standards, and processes with regard to Title IX. The workshop facilitator will address required timeliness that all potential responders must adhere to upon becoming aware of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment. Participants will leave this workshop with an enhanced awareness of the various forms of harassment, sexual misconduct and domestic violence as well as their responsibility to promote a culture of prevention and safety for all.
Elective Workshops
Baby Boomers to Millennials: Respect and Productivity in the Workplace
Presenters: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
For the first time, we have as many as five different generations working together in a single workplace – Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation 9/11. This workshop presents methods for bridging the gap between generations and shows participants how to avoid conflict and increase productivity in their generationally diverse workplaces. Workshop participants will learn about generational differences, generational similarities, how generational traits impact the workplace, and how good communication skills can develop a more respectful workplace.
Creating Equal Access: Getting Started with Digital Accessibility
Presenter: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Digital accessibility is a new topic and can be intimidating. We want all members of the Pitt community to be able to freely, independently, and easily access resources and materials, but we don’t always know how to make that a reality. In this workshop we will explore fundamental principles of accessibility and how they impact people with disabilities as well as how to create more accessible content in Microsoft Office products (Word and PowerPoint). Participants will learn easy, practical skills that they can begin implementing immediately.
Different Like You: Recognizing Stereotypes and Removing Barriers
Presenters: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Workforce diversity in the 21st century focuses less on what group a person is identified with and more on the unique perspectives of each individual. This workshop is an overview intended to increase participants’ awareness of diversity issues in the workplace as well as their acceptance and appreciation of the unique perspectives and backgrounds of others. Participants will learn to identify and examine one’s own stereotypes and prejudices and how these may influence behaviors and responses. Learn how recognizing barriers to accepting diversity can help to remove them and create an environment for academic and workplace success. Participants will identify ways to promote respect and dignity for others.
Gender Theory, Gender Diversity, and Trans-Inclusive Spaces
Presenter: Julie Beaulieu, Lecturer, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Study Program
This course introduces participants to a brief history of gender theory with a focus on trans topics and trans theories as they relate to education and leadership. The facilitator will discuss trans contributions to our shifting understandings of sex, gender, identity, and the body as well as the history of trans identity in the U.S. and best practices for creating trans inclusive spaces. Participants will learn about language, and other critical skills to respond thoughtfully in our ever-changing gender landscape. All are welcome.
Identity, Power, and Privilege
Presenters: Erika Gold Kestenberg, PhD, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice Consultant
Mario C. Browne, MPH, CDP, Director, Office of Health Sciences Diversity & Inclusion, Schools of Health Sciences Diversity
This workshop is designed to provide a safe space for participants to begin a conversation about identity, power, and privilege in ways they may not have before. The workshop facilitators will guide the conversation around social identities, dominance and oppression in society, and the definition of key terms. Activities will provide insights in how identity, power, and privilege play out in individual lives.
Individuals with Disabilities: Creating an Accommodating and Inclusive Environment
Presenters: Disability Resources and Services
The University is committed to fostering an environment where individuals with disabilities can thrive academically and in the workplace. In this workshop, representatives from Disability Resources and Services (DRS) will provide an overview of the resources available to faculty and staff with disabilities as well as policies around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) DRS will discuss their role in determining reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities and the process for accessing services for faculty and staff with disabilities. This session will provide specific information of DRS processes, an overview of services and a general discussion of disabilities.
Intercultural Competency
Presenters: Office of International Services
Working and providing services in a diverse environment requires a knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, values, and behaviors. This fun, yet informative, session will help participants gain understanding to enhance the quality of their interactions with international and diverse students, faculty, and staff at the University and elsewhere.
Microaggression: Recognizing and Challenging a Subtle Form of Bias
Presenters: Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
What are microaggressions? How can they harm individual members of the University community? Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of this form of bias and the building blocks that contribute to Microaggression. The workshop instructor will facilitate exercises and discussions to help participants recognize Microaggression and learn strategies for addressing the subtle messages sent that can create a feeling of marginalization among community members.
Religion Diversity: Challenging Assumptions to Advance Inclusion
Presenter: Margarita Delgado Creamer, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies
This workshop is designed to increase participants’ awareness of the importance of religion in society and of their assumptions about what religion is, should be, and its place in their own life and others’ lives. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss questions, such as, why is it so difficult to talk about religion? What is the place of religion in a college campus? How can we know if we are religiously literate? The workshop facilitator will share ways of approaching this challenging conversation, and, through interactive exercises, will develop tools for a welcoming and religiously inclusive campus.
Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Community Members
Presenter: Carrie Benson, Prevention and Education Coordinator, Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
This session will provide participants with the opportunity to practice inclusive language, discuss societal barriers to inclusion and gain tools that can be used in their own department. Facilitators will provide basic information and terminology during the first part of the session. Next, participants will discuss a relevant scenario. The session will end with an overview and discussion of resources and tools that can be used to create more inclusive spaces.
Veterans on Campus: Understanding Resources and Opportunity
Presenters: Office of Veterans Services
This workshop is designed to educate faculty and staff about the veteran and military-affiliated student body and the services available to them on campus. Facilitators will share common transition issues for veterans in higher education, nationwide trends, and military culture. Participants will learn about tools and resources available for building a veteran-friendly University environment
Workplace Bullying: Understanding a Barrier to Equal Opportunity
Presenters: Office of Health Sciences Diversity and Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The workplace is a common site of interpersonal conflict. Some conflict is a natural outgrowth of interpersonal differences; other conflict is a result of repeated behavior meant to intimidate, degrade or offend others. Workplace bullying creates feelings of defenselessness and robs individuals of their right to respect and dignity at work. This workshop will define bullying behavior, its causes and effects, and resources available to those who have experienced it.