Creating inclusive learning and working environments Culturally responsive faculty training Increase cultural competence

1. DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE
WORKPLACE
Dr. Val Margarit
November 13, 2014

2. Presentation Outline
 Introductions - Why We Are Here
 Diversity Activity
 Defining Terms
 Demographic Changes in the United States
 DMAC Student Demographics
 Why International Students Choose the U.S.
 History of Diversity in the Workplace
 Diversity Plan
 Conclusion

3. Rationale for the Diversity
In-service
 Demographic changes
 Increase awareness about diverse issues
 Reduce stereotypes that deter from effective
teaching and management
 Limited awareness on global and diverse issues
 Globalization economy
 Hiring, training and retaining people
 Employment laws

4. Digital Media Arts College
Values
Diversity
Globalization
Student success
Creative expression
Cooperative team spirit

5. DMAC’s Mission Supports
Diversity
DMAC is dedicated to providing career focused
undergraduate and graduate education that
prepares students to excel in
artistic expression and understand the
interdependence of technology, media and
entertainment in a culturally diverse, global
society.

6. What Is Culture?
 Culture is the entire way of life for a
group of people
 It includes things such as language,
standards of beauty, hand gestures, styles
of dress, food, and music
 Culture is learned. It is passed from one
generation to the next through
communication—not genetics

7. Ethnocentrism
 Ethnocentrism occurs when a person
uses their own culture as a standard to
evaluate another group or individual,
leading to the view that cultures other
than one’s own are abnormal

8. Cultural Relativism
 Cultural relativism is the process of
understanding other cultures on their own
terms, rather than judging according to
one’s own culture
 When working or studying with others, it
is important to try to employ cultural
relativism to understand cultural
differences

9. What Is and Why Diversity
Matter?
Human characteristics that make people unique
Respecting and valuing human differences
A diverse workplace that includes and uses the talents of all
employees
RESPECT
Key to SUCCESS

10. Demographic Changes in the
United States

11. Demographic Changes in
Florida

12. DMAC’s Student Demographics
Countries
represented
at DMAC
• Bahamas
• Mexico
• Belgium
• Morocco
• Canada
• Brazil
• Nigeria
• USA

13. History of Diversity in the
Workplace
 The 1964 Civil Rights Act - prohibits
employment discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin
 Equal Pay Act of 1963 – protects men and
women from sex-based wage discrimination
 Employment Age Discrimination Act of 1967 –
protects individual who are 40 years of age or
older
 Civil Right Act of 1991 – provide monetary
damages for intentional employment
discrimination

14. Diversity Plan

15. Leadership Driven
 Diversity activities embedded into all
departments
 Continued efforts to recruit, retain and
develop a culturally diverse workforce
 Hold leaders accountable for achieving
diversity
 Conduct cross-cultural training
 Modify services for targeted
demographics groups

16. Information Driven
To support monitoring and
dissemination of cultural awareness,
knowledge and skills

17. Remember . . .
People long
to be celebrated,
not tolerated!
Let US celebrate today and
every day!

18. Conclusion
Learning about and accepting diversity is imperative to our success
Diversity prepares students for future career success
Increased retention rate
Diversity promotes understanding, cooperation and respect
Diversity improves interpersonal effectiveness and increases personal
and professional opportunities
Diversity = Success= Happiness

20. References
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/to
ols/tool026.shtml