Missouri University of Science and Technology
PAE-T2-3: Student Training Opportunities

Overview of Leadership & Cultural Programs’ Commitment to Cultural Competence The Department of Leadership and Cultural Programs was established in June 2008 to expand Missouri S&T’s efforts to assist students in developing essential skills to serve as effective professional leaders in a global community. Cultural competence is one of the department’s focus areas and is defined as being able to respectfully and effectively interact with people of diverse origins, abilities, and perspectives. The department functions with the belief that everyone can develop leadership skills and become more culturally competent through education, practice, and experience. Our diversity awareness and cultural competence programs include movies, discussions, speakers, and activities related to: Black History Month Native American Heritage Month Gender Identity Awareness/Respect Disabilities Awareness Women’s History Month International Day of Peace Hispanic American Heritage Month Sexual Orientation Awareness Culture Impact on Communication LCP also sponsors Miner Mentors, a dynamic peer educator group that provides students with opportunities to become more culturally competent campus leaders through engaging in developmental activities and planning educational events designed to assist other students in developing their cultural competency and leadership skills. LCP worked with members of other departments to create a Safe Space and Ally Development Training program for faculty staff and students. Information on that program can be found at http://lcprograms.mst.edu/culturalopportunities/safespace/. LCP will be introducing a new leadership academy for upper classmen students this fall the Global Leadership Institute. A leadership program that will focus upon assisting students in increasing their cultural competence and learning how to apply leadership skills in industry, a global community. LCP also provides opportunities for students, organizations, and departments to request training on a variety of issues including programs related to cultural competence through our online request system which can be accessed from our website open page at lcprograms.mst.edu. Campus Wide Initiatives The following educational opportunities are provided on campus by various student groups with support from International Affairs. These are events that I know promote interaction between individuals of different cultures and/or opportunities to learn about different cultures. • Celebrations of Nations* • Diwali Celebration • International Student Day • African Gala • Saudi Night • Global Connections** *Information regarding Celebrations of Nations can be found at http://nations.mst.edu/. **Information regarding Global Connections can be found at http://ali.mst.edu/conversation.html.