Programs and Initiatives
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Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models
Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models was founded at Clemson University in 2000 to address the critical shortage of minority male teachers in America’s classrooms. The mission of the program is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background, particularly among the lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and educationally at-risk communities. Northwestern State University has a rich legacy of teacher preparation and is proud to partner with Clemson University to fulfill this goal.
Cultural Bridge Builders
“Together We Learn”
Mission Statement: At NSU Cultural Bridge Builders, our mission is to foster understanding, respect, and unity among the diverse tapestry of our university community. We are committed to bridging cultural gaps and promoting inclusivity through education, dialogue, and collaboration.
We strive to:
- Educate: We serve as peer educators, offering valuable insights into different cultures, perspectives, and identities, empowering our fellow students to become culturally competent and socially aware individuals.
- Connect: We create a welcoming space where students from all backgrounds can come together, share their stories, and build meaningful connections that transcend cultural boundaries.
- Advocate: We advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that NSU is a place where everyone feels valued and heard.
- Celebrate: We celebrate the richness of our diverse community by organizing events, workshops, and activities that showcase the beauty of our differences and the strength of our unity.
- Inspire: We inspire positive change by challenging stereotypes, promoting social justice, and encouraging empathy and active allyship among our peers.
Through these efforts, NSU Cultural Bridge Builders aims to create a campus environment where every student can thrive, learn, and contribute to a more equitable and harmonious society.
Expectations:
Attend biweekly meetings
Organize and execute work shops
Participate in campaigns and outreach
Engaging in advocacy and allyship
Assisting with CID events as needed
Engage in intergroup and intragroup dialogue
Listen respectfully and give constructive feedback
TEAMWORK
Join our team! Apply to be a cultural bridge builder following the link below!
NCORE is the most comprehensive national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in American higher education. The NCORE Webinar Series continues the conference’s tradition of working to improve racial and ethnic relations on college campuses by providing virtual learning opportunities on effective strategies to enhance access, social development, education, communication, and cross-cultural understanding for traditionally underrepresented populations.
The Center for Inclusion and Diversity will provide access to the live sessions in person on the day it airs. We will also provide a link to the recorded session once made available. Here is the schedule of upcoming webinars:
Cross-Cultural Conflicts in the Classroom
Wednesday September 1, 2021
Recorded Session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxsbFVSo0s4
Beyond the Demands: Examining Institutional Characteristics that Predict Black Student Protest
https://ncore.ou.edu/en/webinar-series/beyond-demands/
Wednesday October 6, 2021
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Lucile M. Hendrick Room Live Session
Recorded session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YSSxvAg1nQ
Managing Difficult Conversations and Dynamics in the Classroom: An Interactive Workshop
https://ncore.ou.edu/en/webinar-series/managing-difficult-conversations/
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Cane River Room Live Session
Recorded session: https://mymedia.ou.edu/media/Managing+Difficult+Conversations+and+Dynamics+in+the+ClassroomA+An+Interactive+Workshop/1_i95q5djz
Beyond the Game: Engaging Student-Athletes Around Social Justice Issues
Wednesday December 1, 2021
Recorded session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPtK2mzD8C4
Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS)
The Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) is designed to raise awareness and facilitate growth in knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion among NSU constituents. We want to enhance understanding, engage community members in positive dialogue and create respectful, safe environments for all.
The Benefits of Attending a Seminar
- Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding on current diversity topics
- Raise awareness of the value of collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences, and ideas.
- Become more self-aware of how your actions may affect others
- Develop inclusive thinking and inclusive actions, which leads to a more positive, productive work environment for everyone.
How will we achieve this goal?
Through one hour long interactive workshops on various topics throughout the academic year facilitated by trained peers, faculty and staff will be presented with the following:
- relevant information, research, and definitions
- engaging element exercises to encourage active participation
- case studies to provide real life scenarios and foster dialogue
- training tools like worksheets, handouts, or quizzes to put learning into action
- resources like videos, books, websites and more to enhance the training program
- tips and building blocks tailored to assisting applying this knowledge in the collegiate atmosphere
Session Schedule
September
Jalen Donaldson- Mental & Emotional Health
Natchitoches Campus
September 24, 2024
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Student Union Conference Room 221
Dr. Thomas Reynolds– Privilege, Marginalization, & Oppression
Natchitoches Campus
September 25, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Student Union Room 320
October
Mrs. Jacqueline Blakes – Racial Identity and Dynamics
Shreveport Campus
October 14, 2024
12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Room LB216
Dr. Mark Melder– Cultural Competence
Natchitoches Campus
October 17, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Student Union President’s Room
Dr. Jasmine Wise – Equity and Equality
Natchitoches Campus
October 23, 2024
2:00-3:30 PM
Virtual Via Teams
November
Dr. Jack Atherton – Size and Body
Natchitoches Campus
November 12, 2024
12:00 PM- 1:30 PM
Student Union President’s Room
Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) Students
The Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) is designed to raise awareness and facilitate growth in knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion among NSU constituents. We want to enhance understanding, engage community members in positive dialogue and create respectful, safe environments for all.
The Benefits of Attending a Seminar
- Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding on current diversity topics
- Raise awareness of the value of collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences, and ideas.
- Become more self-aware of how your actions may affect others
- Develop inclusive thinking and inclusive actions, which leads to a more positive, productive work environment for everyone.
How will we achieve this goal?
Through one hour long interactive workshops on various topics throughout the academic year facilitated by trained peers, faculty and staff will be presented with the following:
- relevant information, research, and definitions
- engaging element exercises to encourage active participation
- case studies to provide real life scenarios and foster dialogue
- training tools like worksheets, handouts, or quizzes to put learning into action
- resources like videos, books, websites and more to enhance the training program
- tips and building blocks tailored to assisting applying this knowledge in the collegiate atmosphere
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are paramount to the success of our institution. The Center for Inclusion and Diversity is prepared to offer you opportunities to learn about diverse topics in safe spaces. Our facilitators are poised and trained to provide invaluable information. Please schedule a session at your earliest convenience: NICSS Session Request Form.
Session descriptions
