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Take a Closer Look

Becoming More Inclusive and Diverse

12424 Research Parkway Research Pavilion, Suite 169 http://www.diversity.ucf.edu

About Us The Office of Diversity Initiatives was es-tablished in 1994 to support the University of Central Florida’s 4th strategic goal, “To become more inclusive and diverse.” We work to make diversity and inclusion visi-ble and active elements that indelibly per-meate the life and values of the UCF com-munity. Our students, colleagues, and con-stituents represent diverse peoples and perspectives across multiple generations.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Diversity Initia-tives is to assist UCF in reaching its strate-gic goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse by facilitating processes and pro-grams that promote social justice, enhance cultural competencies, and develop capa-cious leaders.

Vision

Our vision is to position UCF as a center of excellence that is widely recognized as a model for its attitudes, policies, and prac-tices in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and leadership.

Motto

“Diversity Includes All of Us–All The Time.”

Definitions

Diversity and Inclusiveness

President John C. Hitt established the UCF goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse and shared his perspective on di-versity and inclusiveness as follows: “The difference between diversity and in-clusiveness is that diversity is a fact– we would be just as diverse if we all hated each other– it involves factual things like race, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. But, inclusiveness is more of a subjective state of mind where people feel valued, respect-ed, and appreciated. They have a sense of their own identity within the university and feel that the university is theirs. They are ‘of it as well as in it.’ There is a sense of belonging and ownership. Related to this is that learning can occur nearly anywhere, but the real development of people occurs in a nurturing and supportive environ-ment.”

Diversity

The unique human characteristics that make us different as well as the many uni-versal qualities that make us the same.

Inclusion

The process of creating environments of acceptance and respect where diverse in-dividuals are present and thriving at all levels.

Cultural Competency

The ability to function effectively in the presence of social-cultural diversity.

Programs and Services Workshops (selected titles) ABCs of Diversity Communicating Across Cultures Diversity Certificate Series DOTS—Understanding Your “Hidden” Biases Interrupting Bigotry The Illusion of Inclusion Understanding Power and Privilege Programs and Projects Diversity Week UCF Community Veteran’s History Project Partnership Leadership Roles and Councils President’s Multicultural Advisory Council Diversity Champions for Strategic Planning Faculty and Staff Development Faculty and New Employee Orientations Leadership Enhancement Program Faculty Development Summer

Conference — Diversity Track Diversity Faculty Fellow Partnership with

the Faculty Teaching and Learning Center Annual Leadership Institute Student Development LEGACY Leadership and Mentoring Program Student Orientations and Workshops Presentations (by request) Classes and Organizations Conferences, Meetings, and Retreats Information and Resources Individual and Group Consultations Print and Video Resource Library Inclusive Communication Guide Website: http://www.diversity.ucf.edu

Fast Facts

The Office of Diversity Initiatives: Facilitates over 300 workshops on more

than 120 topics reaching over 7500 partici-pants annually.

Cultivates relationships with influential indi-viduals, educational institutions, business-es, and social justice organizations in sup-port of the UCF goal to become more inclu-sive and diverse.

Provided the impetus for the development of the UCF Summer Faculty Development Conference and continues to sponsor a conference diversity track on curriculum transformation.

Played a substantial leadership role in the development of 21 cultural competencies for UCF undergraduate education.

Designs and implements the Leadership Enhancement Program for members of the UCF faculty and staff in partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Sponsors the LEGACY Leadership and Mentoring Program for students which fo-cuses on scholarship, identity development, leadership, career development, and com-munity service.

Initiated the activities that led to the creation of the UCF Community Veterans History Project.

Hosted the Florida Diversity and Leadership Conference at UCF in 2010 and 2011.

Received diversity awards from the Beacon Network, Seminole State College, and the UCF Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

Was awarded an unsolicited grant from Google to support the mission and goals of the unit.

The symbol of the Office of Diversity Initi-atives is the “Unity Star.” This multifacet-ed, multidimensional image was inspired by the solitary star that appears above the Pegasus, the University of Central Flori-da’s official symbol that represents the university’s motto, “Reach for the Stars.” The Unity Star is an illustration of the transformative power and enhanced crea-tivity that occurs when organizations fully utilize diverse perspectives. The Unity Star can be presented in various sizes, colors, shadings, and arrangements sym-bolizing humankind’s many similarities and differences.

Office of Diversity Initiatives P.O. Box 160031

Orlando, FL 32816-0031 Phone: (407)-823-6479

Fax: (407)-823-6480 http://www.diversity.ucf.edu