Wake Forest University
PAE-7: Measuring Campus Diversity Culture

In spring 2010 the Assistant Provost for Diversity and Inclusion commissioned the Office of Institutional Research to compile a longitudinal survey entitled “2000-2010 Analysis of the Racial Climate at Wake Forest University” based on HERI First Year Surveys and CSS Senior Surveys. In addition, in 2009, the Wake Forest Department of Human Resources employed Sibson Consulting to conduct a Staff Work Climate Survey. Wake Forest has not measured campus diversity culture from the faculty perspective but this assessment will be included in the Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion.

From the student perspective, the results reflect the need for cross-cultural competence among the entire student body. To this end, members of the staff certified to administer the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) have hosted workshops for myriad student groups such as Resident Advisors, Masters Degree students in Business, all undergraduate students who study abroad for academic credit, sorority and fraternity leaders, and student organization executive board leaders. This test is designed to assess your world view and is one of the most widely accepted measures of cross cultural competence. From the staff and faculty perspective, The Office of Diversity and Inclusion created The Gatekeepers Workshop Initiative in 2009 which is comprised of a series of four workshops including (1) Building an Inclusive Campus Community, (2) Understanding and Managing Cross Cultural Conflict, (3) Difficult Dialogue and Contact Theory, and (4) a myriad of one-offering workshops designed to foster intercultural communication skills, cultural competence, emotional intelligence, etc. in order to build a culturally competent, inclusive, and engaging campus community designed to prepare our students to lead and work in a global society.