University of Louisville
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs

Mordean Taylor-Archer, PhD, is the University of Louisville Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs. She is responsible for providing leadership and working collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff and students to advance diversity on campus. Offices under her administrative purview are the Cultural Center, Women’s Center, International Center, Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice and the Office of LGBT Services. Dr. Taylor-Archer serves on various committees including the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality, the Commission on the Status of Women, the University Community Partnership Board, Great Places to Work Executive Committee and African American Alumni Council, and chairs CODRE’s Campus Environment Team and the International Affairs Advisory Committee. She is the institutional representative for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Committee on Equal Opportunities (CEO) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence (CADE). The office employs an Assistant to the Vice Provost and a Program Coordinator in addition to the employees in those offices reporting to the Vice Provost. Additional information about the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs can be found at http://louisville.edu/diversity/

In addition to the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs, other staff are employed in the Cultural Center, the Women's Center, the International Center, the LGBT Center, and the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice, all units under the administrative purview of the Vice Provost.

The University of Louisville‘s diversity equity committee is the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality (CODRE). CODRE serves as the primary policy advisory group on issues of diversity and racial equality for students and employees at the University of Louisville and reports to the President. CODRE stays abreast of relevant issues including, but not limited to: recruitment, retention, and promotion of faculty and professional/ administrative staff from diverse populations; group-based inequalities and inequities; the academic success of a diverse racial and ethnic student body including retention, curriculum, and campus climate concerns; addressing sexist and racist conduct that impedes the educational mission of the university; and strategies and praxis that support “education that is multicultural.”

Health Sciences Center
Since 2006, the University of Louisville’s Health Sciences Center has invited students, faculty, and staff to attend a workshop centered on health equity and diversity in healthcare. Each year the Cultural Competency Conference is offered to 1st year medical and dental students, dental hygiene students, as well as dental residents, audiology students, and post-baccalaureate students. Attendance for the 2015 workshop was nearly 700 students. Breakout sessions are offered on specific topics related to diversity/cultural competency in the healthcare professions. A Pre and Post Evaluation Survey is offered to all students to gauge their responses to the effectiveness to the topics discussed.

More about the HSC Cultural Competency Conference is here: http://louisville.edu/hsc/diversity/HSC-cultural-competency-workshops

The office further offers training in Recognizing Unconscious Bias (two staff members are certified trainers in this topic) and topical lunch and learn sessions that cover issues like the impact of racism on health, treating international patients, and religious identity.

Belknap Campus
Cultural competence training is available on the Belknap Campus from a variety of offices, including the Human Resources Department, Arts & Sciences, and the units under the purview of the Vice Provost for Diversity and International Affairs.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

The Affirmative Action/Employee Relations Office offers training regarding sexual harassment. The course includes:

• Defining and identifying sexual harassment
• University policy and accompanying laws
• Course of action for victims or accused
• Reporting responsibilities
• Complaint resolution

On-line Training Supplement
Preventing Sexual Harassment is an interactive web-based training program that provides an innovative way for employees to gain a basic understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment as well as what is and what is not acceptable in today's environment. The program provides a means to evaluate understanding and answers common questions. The program is used as a point of reference and does not replace training provided by the Affirmative Action/Employee Relations Office.

The LGBT Center
The university’s Safe Zone Project is a workshop designed to give faculty and staff the tools and resources they need to understand LGBT students and create a welcoming, affirming campus environment for all. Participants attending this fun and informative half-day session are not required to be an expert in sexuality or gender identity/expression to attend, but rather someone who is interested in helping all members of the campus community succeed. Workshop participants receive a comprehensive resource manual and a poster or sticker to display somewhere in the office. Displaying a Safe Zone poster or sticker sends the message to others that you are comfortable talking about LGBT issues, and that you are supportive and willing to listen.

Safe Zone training overview is here: http://louisville.edu/lgbt/programs-1/safe-zones-project-1

The Center also hosts Trans Inclusion training for departments and organizations that want to learn strategies for welcoming transgender and gender nonconforming students, faculty and staff. With a focus on examining business practice, forms, and procedures, the workshop includes helpful tips for talking with transgender people and using inclusive language.

Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning
The university’s Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning offers conferences, workshops, symposiums and training through the Faculty Instructional and Development Program. Examples of these programs include:

• Facilitating Difficult Discussions - faculty receive training on strategies to successfully manage difficult topics that can come up in any class.
http://louisville.edu/artsandsciences/idep/diversity-programs/previous-programs

• Using Newspapers and Online Media to Enhance Student Learning in a Multicultural World – faculty learn how to integrate course content and current events from diverse perspectives to can foster students’ multicultural awareness and understanding.

• Inclusive Teaching Circles - small, consistent groups of faculty, lecturers, and GTAs who are dedicated to teaching that is inclusive and equitable for all students. Teaching that is inclusive and equitable takes positive steps to ensure that no student is excluded, marginalized or denigrated by either course design or classroom pedagogy, with special attention to members of historically excluded or marginalized groups. Such educational practice requires reflection on how social identities can impact course design, classroom pedagogy, and instructor-student interactions. This program was originally developed in 2005 by the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Diversity and Outreach (now, Office of International, Diversity, and Outreach Programs).
http://louisville.edu/artsandsciences/idep/diversity-programs/faculty-programs/inclusive-teaching-circles

Cultural Center
The Cultural Center provides cultural competency and diversity education for faculty and staff of the university. Since 2009, the Cultural Center has collaborated with and provided training and education for university advisors, unit diversity committees, Provost’s staff, and Student Affairs staff. The center collaborates with other units and organizations to host educational workshops for students and employees, called “The Cultural Competency Series.” In addition, a Heritage Celebration and Speaker series offers participants the opportunity to learn about and appreciate different cultures and has included sessions by international students, the Hispanic/Latino(a) Initiatives Office, and the Disabilities Resource Center.

Diversity awareness and training programs are provided within some units and/or upon request. For example, Information Technology employees and all campus police officers are required to participate in diversity training.

Cultural Center training offerings are here: http://louisville.edu/culturalcenter/programs/cultural-center-monthly-programs