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ONE WKU Campaign

ONE WKU Campaign


The ONE WKU CAMPAIGN was born out of the idea that WKU is truly committed to being a welcoming and inclusive university. WKU strives to ensure all faculty, staff, and students are treated with dignity, respect, and equity. The campaign launched in the summer of 2020 amid the chaos of a global pandemic, coupled with an escalation in racial injustices, antisemitism, xenophobia, and transphobia. The DEI Workgroup and Co-Chief Diversity Officers worked to create initiatives aimed at reducing biases and shifting the culture toward a more inclusive environment.

Mission: Western Kentucky University leverages the combined power of Academic Affairs, Enrollment and Student Experience as well as all other non-Academic support units on campus to dismantle systemic discrimination, barriers to inclusion, and unequal opportunities. We work to create One WKU – a safe and welcoming campus with top-ranked faculty and staff, inclusive infrastructures and services, ethical and transparent policies, and dedication to a thriving, diverse student body prepared for success as global citizens.

Vision: One WKU demonstrates the power of aligning inclusive leadership with collaborative action among faculty and staff in building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive college campus in the state of Kentucky, the region, and nation.

See below for ongoing initiatives. Dates for events will be listed as they are set.


The ONE Inclusive Teaching Academy (ITA)

The idea for the ONE WKU ITA came out of a pilot initiative called the ONE WKU Academy. The ONE WKU Academy started in fall 2020 with the goal of offering a series workshops/modules on microagression & biases, intercultural/interracial communication, and allyship to a group of faculty and staff with the end goal of microcredentialing. Diverting slightly from the original pilot, the ONE WKU ITA focuses on pedagogical practice to ensure inclusivity in the classroom. The Institute, directed by Marko Dumančić in the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning and led by WKU’s DEI Communities of Practice Fellows, graduated its first cohort in spring 2022. Participants who successfully complete the academy are awarded TopperCred micro-credentials. Applications for each cohort will be available in the fall semester every year.

APPLY HERE


WKU Staff Cultural Competence Certificate (WKUC3)

DEADLINE for August 2023 Cohort is July 17, 2023

The WKU Staff Cultural Competence Certificate (WKUC3), an initiative of the “One WKU” campaign, is a professional development opportunity for all staff. The certificate course for staff was created to fulfill four interrelated functions: To introduce and/or deepen participants' knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. To offer a collegial space for participants to reflect on their current thoughts and practices. To grow the community of practitioners focused on inclusivity. The course is designed to develop advocates rather than experts. The course’s facilitator(s) and its architect do not assume the role of authority on DEI issues and do not seek to train participants to become experts. Rather, the goal is to cultivate a mindset of continuous growth through praxis and reflection as a way to foster DEI advocacy at WKU. The program, organized in a hybrid format, will allow participants to study online content, complete assignments, and meet once a month to reflect and discuss concepts as well as how to implement key principles of cultural competence and diversity management to work effectively with students and colleagues. Staff who complete the program will be awarded the WKUC3 micro-credential badge. In addition to completing this application, you will need approval from your supervisor acknowledging that there is a required time commitment of the applicant. Note that there is a size limit to the cohort and therefore, there is a selection process. If you have any questions about this certificate program, please reach out to Dr. Monica Galloway Burke at monica.burke@wku.edu.

APPLY HERE


Lunch & Learn Series: Spring 2024

New Opportunity for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, Presented by Drs. Rheanna Plemons & Christina Noel, WKU SAV-Y Program

Thursday, March 27, 2024, 11:30am-12:30pm, The Commons Room 3008

The US Department of Education has recently approved the establishment of a Comprehensive Transition to Postsecondary Education (CTP) program at WKU. This program will provide an opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) to take part in the college experience while acquiring valuable workplace skills to fill regional job demands. Come hear about this new program and how you can help create an inclusive learning environment for students with ID in our region.

To register, click HERE or follow this link:

https://www.wku.edu/citl/events/index.php?eventid=81365&view=event

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Working with WKU’s Refugee Student Population, Presented by John Sunnygard, Associate Provost for Global Learning and International Affairs

Thursday, February 15, 2024, 11:30am-12:30pm, HCIC Multipurpose Room

“Bowling Green has the largest per capita refugee population in the USA.  With generous scholarships from Kentucky, WKU has stepped up to help refugee students realize their dreams of a college degree.  Join us to discuss how we can work with these eager, motivated Hilltoppers!”

 

To register, click HERE or follow this link:

https://www.wku.edu/citl/events/index.php?eventid=81337&view=event

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2024 Kentucky State Legislative Session Update with Executive Director of Government and External RelationsPresented by Jennifer SmithJanuary 29th, 11:30am-12:30pm, The Commons 3008

“Every wonder how WKU engages in Frankfort’s legislative processes? What the procedure is for responding to proposed bills that affect higher education? Jennifer Smith, Executive Director of Government and External Relations, will provide an update and discussion of Kentucky State legislation filed for the upcoming 2024 session and walk us through what her role is in that process.” Bring your lunch or pick something up at one of the restaurants downstairs in The Commons!

Register HERE, or click below:

https://itweb.wku.edu/training_dl/index.php?fuseaction=my.main&mode=register&eventid=1045

 


Book & Media Groups

We all consume information differently, so each semester we offer several options including nonfiction, fiction, podcasts, documentaries, and TV sitcoms. The idea is to engage in conversations about institutionalized discrimination and how we, as a collaborative team, can create real change at WKU and in our communities. If you have general questions or would like to volunteer to lead a book or media group, please email Dr. Molly Kerby for clarification. We would also like to encourage groups, organizations, departments, and units to create their own groups!


Deliberative Dialogues

What IS Deliberative Dialogue?

“Deliberative dialogue is a form of discussion aimed at finding the best course of action. Deliberative questions take the form "What should we do?" The purpose is not so much to solve a problem or resolve an issue as to explore the most promising avenues for action.” (Scott London).

 

Deliberative workshops are facilitated group discussions that provide participants with the opportunity to consider an issue in depth, challenge differing opinions, and develop views/arguments to reach an actionable position. These workshops are like focus groups, although there tends to be more focus on deliberation. Each session lasts approximately two hours.

 


 


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 Last Modified 2/13/24