Conversations on Diversity and Equity (CODE) Workshops
CODE is designed to engage students, faculty and staff in learning about the cultural differences that shape our world. The main goal of the program is to create spaces for them to explore complex aspects of the diversity and equity framework. The ultimate outcome of providing these experiences for participants is to work towards an inclusive campus community where everyone respects the value and dignity of all of its members.
Workshop Series
Our team of Diversity Facilitators will provide supportive environments for participants to build their cultural competence along a continuum of learning opportunities that will help them shape a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with others and develop skills to prepare them to live and work in an increasingly diverse society.
CODE 1 - Situating The Self
Who Am I? This workshop introduces opportunities for participants to explore their own unique cultural identities and the identities of others. Through a series of interactive exercises, they will learn general diversity terms and concepts, share the personal stories that frame their values related to cultural difference and identify the multitude of ways that their identities shape their understanding of the world.
CODE 2 - Building Community
Who Are We? This workshop focuses on building dialogue. Review the description and select the workshop that best meets the needs of the participants. Workshop participants will learn how to effectively engage in conversations and resolve conflicts about issues that impact the way they relate to people with different experiences, histories beliefs, traditions, and values that are different from their own.
CODE 3 - Power Dynamics of Difference
How Do We Relate? This workshop invites participants to cultivate a self-reflective awareness of their identity, personal beliefs, and values related to cultural and social inequalities. Participants will develop critical thinking skills and knowledge regarding how privilege and oppression shape their experiences and perspectives in relationships and communities.
CODE 4 - Engaging Systems of Oppressions
This workshop aims to immerse dedicated individuals with the lifelong dedication necessary for social justice work.
Customized Workshop
We will consult with you to meet the needs of staff, faculty and students by creating tailored interactive workshops depending on the needs of participants. The workshop aims to connect participants to critical theories and frameworks, diversity, and inclusion.
Request a CODE WorkshopBecome a Diversity Facilitator
The CODE Diversity Facilitators are NIU faculty, staff and students who have been trained to conduct workshops to help participants understand the various stages of their cultural identity development. They provide supportive learning environments where participants can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with others and acquire skills to prepare them to live and work in an increasingly diverse society.
The workshops offered are scaffolded on a continuum from beginner to advanced so that groups have the opportunity to customize an experience based on their level of competence.
Facilitator training is offered throughout the academic year. We currently have over 100 diversity facilitators trained. If you are interested in learning about how to become a facilitator at NIU, contact Jocelyn Santana at jsantana@niu.edu.
Training Curriculum Outcomes
An outline of the learning outcomes for the training curriculum for the CODE Facilitator Training follows:
Content Expert Training
- Learn about the various dimensions of social identity.
- Understand terms and concepts used in diversity and social justice education such as privilege, oppression, power and conflict.
- Explore social identity theories that impact student development.
Identity Self-Awareness Training
- Explore the various dimensions of your social identity.
- Analyze how these identities impact your approach to diversity and social justice work.
- Understand how to negotiate your social identities in the facilitation process.
- Continue your personal growth and development in the areas of social justice education.
Managing Power Dynamics/Resistance
- Discuss theory and practice of group observation, conflict intervention, intergroup communication and community building.
- Develop practical skills in managing power dynamics in a workshop.
- Learn to respond to resistance in a workshop.
Curriculum Development
- Learn how to develop workshops that effectively address the stated goals and outcomes.
- Create workshops that showcase a variety of teaching methods.
Current Diversity Facilitiators
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Armstrong, Eric | Military and Veteran Services |
| Bernoudy, Monique | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Billingsly, Danica | School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders |
| Birch, Zach | Housing and Residential Services |
| Borowiak, Rebecca | Housing and Residential Services |
| Borg, Terry | External and Global Programs, College of Education |
| Boston, Tamara | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Breland, Khyla | Student Conduct, Housing and Residential Services |
| Bringas, Michelle | Asian American Resource Center |
| Camacho, Oliver | CHANCE Program |
| Carrington, LaBrian | Academic Advising Center |
| Clark Reidenbach, Pam | Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) |
| Cohen, James | Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education |
| Comber, Evelyn | Counseling and Consultation Services |
| Del Llano, Elbia | Housing and Residential Services |
| Drott, Andrea | Counseling and Consultation Services/Student Wellness |
| Edghill-Walden, Vernese | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Edwards, Anne | Center for Black Studies |
| Ellis, Pernevlon | Sociology; Diversity Programming at Kishwaukee College |
| Flynn, Joseph | Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education |
| Frantz, Kaitlyn | NIU - The Inclusive Collective |
| Garcia, Diana | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Garcia, Liz | Counseling and Consultation Services |
| Grant, Dennis | Departmert of Police and Public Safety |
| Gray, Keyalo | Academic Advising Center |
| Groce, Jennifer | Community Affairs |
| Groebel, Stefan | Budget Office |
| Grote, Dakota | Chemistry and Biochemistry |
| Hagen, Timothy | Chemistry and Biochemistry |
| Hanson, Trevor | Housing and Residential Services |
| Heard, Edward | Career Services |
| Hense, Aubrey | Fraternity and Sorority Life |
| Henton, Rose | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Holderfield, William | Center for Government Studies |
| Holmes, Molly | Gender and Sexuality Resource Center |
| Holt, Megan | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning |
| Holtz, Michaela | Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning |
| Hunt, Rebecca | Educational Technology, Research and Assessment |
| Ivy, Jasmine | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Jackson, Tifarah | Holmes Student Center |
| Jacky, Gail | University Writing Center |
| James, Nicole | Chemistry and Biochemistry |
| Johnson, Natasha | NIU Recreation |
| Johnson, Yvonne | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning |
| Jones, Quiana | Health Services |
| Junk, Meg | Division of Student Affairs |
| Keating, Robert | Psychology |
| Kitner, Blythe | School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders |
| Koenen, Daniel | Campus Dining Services |
| Kreager, Zo | Geology and Environmental Geoscience |
| Kuchinski, Anne-Marie | School of Nursing |
| LaDue, Nicole | Geology and Environmental Geoscience |
| Lagana, Brandon | Career Services |
| Lagattolla, Christine | NIU Recreation |
| Ledgerwood, Judy | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Lindsey, DeMarcus | Departmert of Police and Public Safety |
| Logsdon, Susanne | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) |
| Lopez, Sandy | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| McDonald, Destiny | Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning |
| McKee, Liz | Alumni Services |
| Mendoza, Angelica | Latino Resource Center |
| Mewhirter, Tedra | Office of Undergraduate Admissions |
| Meyer, Jeanne | Student Conduct |
| Minogue, Benjamin | Housing and Residential Services |
| Mitchell, Christopher | Center for Black Studies |
| Mitchell, Joy | Student Conduct |
| Navarro, Giselle | Counseling and Consultation Services |
| Nolan-Lamm, Will | Housing and Residential Services |
| O'Connell, Julie Ann | Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies |
| Olson, Kelly | Student Affairs |
| Owens, Ariel | Gender and Sexuality Resource Center |
| Palmer, Ashley | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Pillsbury, Brian | Career Services |
| Pietrowski, Mark | Continuing and Professional Education |
| Pitner, Alex | Fraternity and Sorority Life |
| Przybyla, Joe | Departmert of Police and Public Safety |
| Ramirez, Deyci | CHANCE Program |
| Ritcher, Stephanie | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning |
| Rivers, Gaylen | Center for Black Studies |
| Saalfeld, Katy | Office of Undergraduate Admissions |
| Salmon, Jeffrey | Military and Veteran Services |
| Santamaria, Margarita | Housing and Residential Services |
| Santana, Jocelyn | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Santos Rivas, Luis | Latino Resource Center |
| Semati, Mehdi | Communication |
| Seymour, David | CHANCE Program |
| Smith, Derrick | Center for Black Studies |
| Smothers, Amanda | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning |
| Storey, Connie | University Honors Program |
| Swegle, Susan | Employee Assistance Program |
| Teetsov, Nicholas | Housing and Residential Services |
| Tluczek, Chrissy | NIU Recreation |
| Torres, Alex | Office of Undergraduate Admissions |
| Tosch, Mary (Waubonsee) | Student Life |
| Tucker, Danielle | Housing and Residential Services |
| Uquillas, Ivonne | Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
| Vilma, Taneisha | Psychology |
| Vreeland, Lindsay | Department of English |
| Wheeler, Ralph | Chemistry and Biochemistry |
| Wilhelm, Erin | Counseling and Higher Educatior |
| Wilson, Shaunda | Departmert of Police and Public Safety |
| Winters, Kelly | Housing and Residential Services |
| Wright, Liz | President's Office |
| Zocher, Erika | Geology and Environmental Science |
Contact Us
Social Justice EducationHealth Services 408
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: 815-753-8399
Email: equity@niu.edu