Course Descriptions
The UCF Office of Diversity and Inclusion Training Program is one of the most prolific in higher education. You can pursue certificates and training individually or as a departmental effort to improve performance and our learning and work environments.
- Six-year training impact: 34,546 participants
- Total participants last academic year – 7,996
- Total UCF Inclusion Champions – 326
Workshop Schedule
Please see this semester’s Unity Star for the Fall 2019 workshop and training schedule. All workshops are free unless otherwise noted. Please note that locations vary. Other opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the UCF Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (407) 823-6479 or by emailing diverse@ucf.edu.
Registration Instructions
- Faculty, A&P, and USPS: Register online at my.UCF.edu > Employee Self Service > Learning & Development > Request Training Enrollment
- Students and OPS: Email your name, requested course name and date, and UCFID number to diverse@ucf.edu.
Be a UCF Inclusion Champion
The UCF Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) offers the Inclusion Champion program to provide colleges, divisions, and departments with training and education designed to explore foundational concepts in diversity and inclusion. Participants will gain a common body of knowledge and skills to contribute to an inclusive learning and professional environment at UCF.
The program consists of nine hours of core workshops required for all participants, plus a minimum of six hours of training on elective topics selected to meet the particular needs of a group or interests of the individual. ODI offers multiple elective options each semester. Participants (faculty, staff and students) can pursue certification individually or as part of a departmental effort, and can complete the program over a three-year period or less.
Have you completed the requirements for the Inclusion Champion program? Fill out a short questionnaire to let us know! After we verify your training records, you will receive a certificate and pin!
Submit verification questionnaire here
UCF Certificates
ODI offers several certificate options for faculty, staff and students:
- Inclusion Champion: complete 9 hours of core workshops and 6 hours of elective topics
- Diversity Certificate Series: complete all four Diversity Certificate modules
- Continuum of Learning Certificate: complete four elective or stand-alone DIV workshops not in a series or towards another certificate program
- Latino Americans Certificate: complete all three Latino Americans modules exploring the history of Latino Americans from 1565 – 2000
- Half the Sky Certificate Series: complete the two-part series based on the book and documentary
- The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Certificate Series: complete the four-part comprehensive workshop series looking at race relations in the United States between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement
- We Shall Remain Certificate Series: complete the five-part/three session workshop series exploring the history of Native Americans and their resilience
Please note: students must keep track of the DIV workshops they have attended and verify their training history with us in order to receive any completion certificates
Course Descriptions Log
Read about the variety of diversity workshops that have been offered over the years.
Read More
Gender Differences in Communication: Theories and Perspectives
Gender Differences in Communication: Theories and Perspectives
Course number: DIV071
Thursday, December 12 from 9:00am-12:00pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: UCF Daytona, Building 140, Room 209
Gender differences in communication have been a source of fascination for many years. Popular books and videos by authors, such as Deborah Tannen (He Said, She Said) and Pat Heim (Invisible Rules: Men, Women, and Teams), have offered detailed portraits of how these differences may manifest themselves. Research looking at differences in brain structure and functioning between males and females indicates many biological differences exist and have an impact on human behavior. Yet, other writers, such as Mark Tripp, suggest these differences may be insignificant or nonexistent for some types of communication. This workshop explores some of the more popular views on “masculine” and “feminine” communication styles.
Performance Standards for UCF’s Cultural Competencies
Performance Standards for UCF’s Cultural Competencies
Course number: DIV150
ONLINE COURSE
Visit https://diversity.ucf.edu/training/online-workshops/ for registration instructions. You must complete all three sections with a score of 75% or higher to receive credit.
This is a three part online workshop:
- Cognitive Domain
- Affective Domain
- Skill-Building Domain
Cultural competency is the ability to function effectively in the presence of socio-cultural diversity. In 2008, Diversity Track (Summer Faculty Development Conference) scholars proposed 21 “core” cultural competencies as learning objectives for the University of Central Florida’s students, as well as potential areas of growth for faculty and staff. These cultural competencies encompass three domains of learning, cognitive, affective, and skill-building.
The purpose of the Diversity Track of the 2013 Summer Faculty Development Conference was to expand and refine the cultural competencies to include details that would facilitate infusion into curricula. In particular, Diversity Track scholars developed Performance Standards for each of the 21 “core” cultural competencies. This learning object presents the Performance Standards for the Cognitive, Affective, and Skill-Building Domains. The ultimate goal of this work is the development of culturally competent individuals equipped to function in today’s global workplace.
Disability Rights, Barriers, and You
Disability Rights, Barriers, and You
Course number: DIV289
Tuesday, October 8 from 12:30-2:00pm | UCF Valencia Osceola, Building 4, Room 338
Tuesday, October 29 from 12:30pm-2:00pm | UCF Valencia West, Building 11, Room 106
Facilitator: Student Accessibility Services
In this interactive workshop facilitated by the Student Accessibility Services’ team, participants will learn more about the history of disability rights, the difference between disability and environmental barriers, and our role in creating access for disabled people. Inclusive language for disability will also be discussed. Participants will come away with practical ways to begin making their offices more accessible. This session is a redesigned version of our previous barriers workshop and will be informative and relevant for anyone who did or did not attend our previous version.
Veterans Educational Training and Support (V.E.T.S.)
Veterans Educational Training and Support (V.E.T.S.)
Course number: DIV291
Teusday, November 12 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Facilitators: Dr. Bryan Batien
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
With approximately 1500 Student Veterans currently studying at UCF, the potential of interacting with a Veteran is likely. A Veteran’s military service may come with a variety of strengths and challenges. This session will explore military culture and some of the challenges Student Veterans may face (e.g., readjusting from the military, mental health, etc.). The session will discuss tips and strategies for working with Veterans. All attendees will receive a Veteran & Military Friendly sticker and certificate of completion.
Facilitator: Dr. Bryan Batien, Orlando VA Medical Center (Lake Baldwin)
Moderator: Joshua “JJ” Johnson, Veterans Academic Resource Center
Inclusion Champions Present…
Inclusion Champions Present…
Appreciation at Work – Is That a Thing?
Course number: DIV443
Wednesday, October 16 from 9:00am-10:30am
Facilitator: Chantel Carter
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Literacy for Beginners
Course number: DIV442
Wednesday, October 16 from 1:30pm-3:00pm
Facilitator: Jeannie Kiriwas
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Showing and receiving appreciation at work can be a foreign concept for many people. Business, companies and institutions are suffering because their employees (at all levels) don’t feel appreciated. Feeling appreciated is a universal need. Gary Chapman & Paul White have identified the Languages of Appreciation in their book titled “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People”. We all, regardless of our backgrounds and cultures, show appreciation for each other or not in very diverse ways. This workshop will dive into the empowerment and encouragement process by introducing and unpacking these 5 Appreciation Languages.
Peace Film Series: Dolores
Peace Film Series: Dolores
Course Number: DIV390
Friday, September 13 2:00pm-4:30pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Wednesday, September 25 from 9:00am-11:30am | UCF Cocoa, Building 3, Room 271
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Dolores Huerta is among the most important, yet least known, activists in American history. An equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, her enormous contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice, becoming one of the most defiant feminist of the twentieth century.
Safe Zone Series
Safe Zone Series
Advocates
Course number: DIV241
Tuesday, September 26 from 3:00pm-5:00pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Tuesday, October 15 from 10am-12pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Tuesday, November 12 from 10:00am-12:00pm | Student Union, Key West Ballroom, Room 218A
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Live Oak AB
The Safe Zone Advocates training is the second in the series and was created to further individual knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. The training is geared toward helping attendees explore, identify, and expose cultural biases and acquire skills necessary for advocating for marginalized populations.
Participants who complete both trainings (LGBTQ+ 101 and Safe Zone Advocates) are designated as Safe Zone Advocates and can be identified by a Safe Zone placard.
Training Objectives:
- Increase insight into personal and cultural biases
- Increase awareness of the impact these biases have on interactions with LGBTQ+ individuals
- Increase comfort in addressing systemic oppressions that affect LGBTQ+ individuals
- Increase ability to identify micro-aggressions that impact LGBTQ+ individuals
- Increase comfort in discussing power, privilege, and oppression
- Acquire skills and knowledge to increase ability to advocate
- Increase understanding that being an ally is an ongoing and active process
Coming Out
Course number: DIV242
Friday, November 22 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
The Coming Out workshop explores the process and challenges of coming out as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender. Participants will learn more about theories and concerns about the coming out process for LGBTQ+ individuals. The workshop will allow those who attend to explore their LGBTQ+ identity or to support a family member or friend who may be coming out.
Training Objectives:
- Provide a space for individuals to ask questions about the coming out process and gain a better understanding of what coming out means to an LGBTQ+ person.
- Educate individuals on different coming out models and theories to better understand the diversity of the coming out process.
- Explain the barriers and challenges faced by those who go through the coming out process and provide tips on how to be part of a support system.
Gold
Course number: DIV243
Wednesday, December 4 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Barbara Ying Center Room 140
The GOLD Knights workshop aims to provide education on topics concerning language specific to gender and sexual/romantic orientation within the LGBTQ+ community. Participants will learn more about contemporary ideas of gender, sexual orientation, biological sex, romantic orientation, and gender presentation.
Training Objectives:
- Increase the ability to articulate the differences between sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex.
- Increase familiarity with various terms that relate to sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex.
- Increase understanding about the ways in which to respect people regardless of their identity.
LGBTQ+ 101
Course number: DIV033
Wednesday, September 11 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Thursday, October 3 from 1:00pm-3:00pm
Thursday, October 31 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Barbara Ying Center Room 140
Learn about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people, homophobia, and heterosexism, and the benefits and responsibilities of being an Ally.
The Allies Advance program is now called ‘Safe Zone,’ and has two distinct workshops both 3 hours in length. The Level 1 class will be called LGBTQ+ 101 and can still be used to meet an elective requirement for the SDES Diversity Certificate Series.
The Level 2 class will be called Safe Zone Advocate Training. LGBTQ+ 101 is a mandatory pre-requisite to attend this class. Upon completion of this training, participants can officially identify themselves as a Safe Zone Advocate which will be designated by a placard/pin/patch with the new logo.
Individuals who have already completed Allies training prior to Summer 2013 are welcome to keep their old placard identifying them as an Ally, but must attend both workshops of the new format in order to receive the Safe Zone Advocate designation. Individuals cannot swap out their old placard with a new one, as the material has been significantly changed and expanded from previous years.
Understanding Power and Privilege
Understanding Power and Privilege
Course number: DIV016
Prerequisite: Either ABCs of Diversity completed or Diversity Certificate Series (Modules 1-4)
Tuesday, September 24 from 1:00-4:00pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
This session looks at the concepts of power and privilege in detail and describes actions that can be adopted to mitigate the effects of social injustice.
Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years
Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years
Must attend all six episodes to receive completion certificate.
Episodes 1 & 2
Course number: DIV362
Monday, September 9 from 1:30-4:30pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center room 140
Episodes 3 & 4
Course number: DIV363
Monday, September 23 from 1:30-4:30pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center room 140
Episodes 5 & 6
Course number: DIV364
Monday, September 30 from 1:30-4:30pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center room 140
Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years tells the definitive story of the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberations continue to be felt today. The six episodes in this series cover all of the major events in the civil rights movement from 1954-1965.
Episodes include:
Awakenings (1954-1956)
Fighting Back (1957-1962)
Ain’t Scared of Your Jails (1960-1961)
No Easy Walk (1961-1963)
Mississippi: Is This America? (1962-1964)
Bridge to Freedom (1965)
Transfer Advocate Certificate Series
Transfer Advocate Certificate Series
Note: You must attend session 1-3 to become a Transfer Student Advocate
Session 1
Course number: DIV393
Tuesday, September 10 from 3:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday, October 2 from 3:00pm-4:30pm
Facilitator: Bernard Huggins
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Session 1 will introduce participants to the transfer student population and discuss what makes them diverse. Attendees will also reflect on assumptions and stereotypes associated with the transfer student experience, distinguishing fact from fiction. This is the first session in the Transfer Advocate Certificate Series.
Session 2
Course number: DIV394
Tuesday, October 8 from 3:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday, October 23 frin 3:00pm-4:30pm
Facilitator: Bernard Huggins
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Session 2 will further detail the unique experience of transfer students. Attendees will interact with UCF transfer students as well their faculty and staff counterparts at our partner institutions. Participants will start to explore how their professional role interacts with transfer students and how they may be positively and/or negatively impacting the transfer student experience. This is the second session in the Transfer Advocate Certificate Series. You must complete Session One prior to participating in this session.
Session 3
Course number: DIV419
Tuesday, November 5 3:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday, November 13 from 3:00pm-4:30pm
Facilitator: Bernard Huggins
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
During session 3 attendees will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for the transfer student population. Participants will learn about resources available to UCF prospective and current transfer students, understand what it means to be an advocate, and engage in active discussion with their colleagues in order to develop a plan to positively impact the transfer student experience, moving forward. This is the third and final session in the Transfer Advocate Certificate Series. You must complete Sessions One and Two prior to participating in this session.
ABCs of Diversity
ABCs of Diversity
Course number: DIV008
Tuesday, August 27, 1:30pm-4:30pm
Facilitator: Rachel Luce-Hitt
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Human diversity impacts each of us on a daily basis. Gaining an understanding of differences and similarities is essential for effective functioning in today’s work environment. This workshop focuses on how stereotypes and biases can get in the way when creating a diverse and inclusive space for all employees.
Inclusive Communication
Inclusive Communication
Course number: DIV053
Wednesday, October 2 from 1:00pm-2:30pm | UCF Valencia West, Building 11, Room 107
Tuesday, October 22 from 1:00pm-4:00pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
This workshop identifies some common mistakes made when communicating about age, class, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, language, looks, race, religion, and sexual orientation. It also highlights words, phrases, and behaviors that can enhance the process of communicating about and across various dimensions of difference.
Diversity Certificate Series
Diversity Certificate Series
Must attend all four modules to receive completion certificate.
Module 1 & 2
Course number: DIV210
Monday, October 21 1:00pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Module 3 & 4
Course number: DIV211
Monday, October 28 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: Barbara Thompson
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
This four-module program is designed as an introductory overview series of workshops to provoke thought with respect to diversity in general, and more specifically, with respect to several important dimensions of diversity. Participants must attend all four modules to receive completion certificate.
Modules
- Introduction to Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
- Race and Faith/Non-Faith Perspectives
- Sex, Gender (Identity and Expression), and Sexual Orientation
- Ability, Accessibility, and Age
Barriers Be Gone Escape Room Activity
Barriers Be Gone Escape Room Activity
Course number: DIV366
This experience is limited to 10 participants per session. Participants must arrive 10 minutes early. Given the structure of the experience, we cannot accept walk-ins
Friday, November 15
- 9:15am-10:15am
- 10:15am-11:15am
- 12:30am-1:30am
- 1:30pm-2:30pm
Facilitators: Student Accessibility Services and Inclusive Education Services
Location: Nike Programming Center and Activity Center
Friday,November 15
- 9:30am-10:30am
- 10:30am-11:30am
- 12:45pm-1:45pm
- 1:45pm-2:45pm
Facilitators: Student Accessibility Services and Inclusive Education Services
Location: Hercules Programming Center and Activity Center
Do you know what common barriers prevent access for people with disabilities? Based on the popular escape room game concept, Student Accessibility Services and Inclusive Education Services challenge teams to be locked in a room full of barriers. If you want to escape to see the light of day once again, you will need to identify and remove the barriers within the room with more accessible approaches within the time allotted. Eight separate escape room activities will be scheduled for teams of 10 people. The total experience will last one hour. To best maximize the schedule, games will start promptly at the assigned start time. Teams should plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to selected time for check-in and rules overview. Are you an access facilitator or a barrier builder? Come play to find out! This highly interactive experience is a great team-building activity. More information will be sent to registrants a few days prior to the event.
Safe Zone Series: LGBTQ+ 101
Safe Zone Series: LGBTQ+ 101
Course number: DIV033
Wednesday, May 8 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Tuesday, June 18 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: LGBTQ+ Services
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Learn about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people, homophobia, and heterosexism, and the benefits and responsibilities of being an Ally.
The Allies Advance program is now called ‘Safe Zone,’ and has two distinct workshops both 3 hours in length. The Level 1 class will be called LGBTQ+ 101 and can still be used to meet an elective requirement for the SDES Diversity Certificate Series.
The Level 2 class will be called Safe Zone Advocate Training. LGBTQ+ 101 is a mandatory pre-requisite to attend this class. Upon completion of this training, participants can officially identify themselves as a Safe Zone Advocate which will be designated by a placard/pin/patch with the new logo.
Individuals who have already completed Allies training prior to Summer 2013 are welcome to keep their old placard identifying them as an Ally, but must attend both workshops of the new format in order to receive the Safe Zone Advocate designation. Individuals cannot swap out their old placard with a new one, as the material has been significantly changed and expanded from previous years.
Social Justice 101
Social Justice 101
Course number: DIV433
Wednesday, September 18 from 1:00pm-2:30pm | Student Union, Room 221
Thursday, November 7 from 2:00-3:30pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Facilitator: Dr. Edwanna Andrews
Recognizing social justice is a goal and a process, this session will provide attendees with a basic understanding of the topic. This workshop seeks to equip and engage the audience with consciously considering and critically thinking about the role and impact social justice (access) has on the UCF campus community.
Unpacking Social Identity
Unpacking Social Identity
Course number: DIV434
Thursday, October 10 from 10:00am-11:30pm | Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Thursday, November 14 from 2:00pm-3:30pm | Student Union, Room 224
Facilitator: Dr. Edwanna Andrews
This workshop will allow participants to examine their personal social identities and take an in-depth look at how our social identities inform our awareness and impact how we interact with the world around us.
How Sharing Power and Privilege Can Bring Spiritual Benefits
How Sharing Power and Privilege Can Bring Spiritual Benefits
Course number: DIV 446
Monday, October 14 from 12:30-2pm
Facilitator: Dr. Peggy McIntosh
Location: Barbara Ying Center room 140
This is a testimonial and interactive session. All participants will speak in small groups of two, three, or four people. We will start by testifying about many, many kinds of fears that can interfere with anyone’s deciding to share power or privilege, and then go on to testify about experiences of having a new sense of wholeness or even grace when these fears are at least temporarily overridden and one takes action to share power or privilege.
An Incomplete History of the Stonewall Uprising
An Incomplete History of the Stonewall Uprising
Course number: DIV439
Tuesday, October 15, 2:30-4:00pm
Facilitator: Scottie Campbell
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
Gay bars have always been a refuge for people in the queer community. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, one such bar played an unlikely role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement when Stonewall patrons took a stand against ongoing oppression. Called riots by some, an uprising by others, the impact of that event still reverberates around the world, its history is incomplete.
Immigration 101
Immigration 101
Course number: DIV441
Thursday, September 26 from 3:30-5pm
Thursday, November 21 from 3:30-5pm
Facilitator: Christina Khan
Location: UCF Global, Room 101
Immigration is a prominent topic in the national discourse and affects the lives of millions of people, yet it is incredibly complex and difficult to understand. The Immigration 101 workshop explores basic immigration concepts so that participants walk away with a better understanding of this important topic.
Intercultural Competency
Intercultural Competency
Course number: DIV440
Monday, October 7 from 3:30pm-5:00pm
Friday, November 22 from 3:30pm-5:00pm
Facilitator: Christina Khan
Location: UCF Global, Room 101
This interactive session explores key concepts in intercultural competency and engages participants in activities to increase self-awareness and understanding across difference.
Unexplored Diversity – Belief Systems and Non-Belief Systems in Student Development
Unexplored Diversity – Belief Systems and Non-Belief Systems in Student Development
Course number: DIV295
Wednesday, September 25 frin 2:30m-4:00pm
Facilitator: Jeannie Kiriwas
Location: Barbara Ying Center, Room 140
There are many reasons why and specific challenges that lead people to feel discomfort discussing belief/non-belief development. This session hopes to alleviate those concerns by showing how a public university employee can support intersectionality and the holistic development of students. Attendees will leave with resources and practical solutions for engaging in conversations related to belief and non-belief systems with students.