Monday, April 26

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: CONFERENCE KICKOFF EVENT

• Learn about the conference, SDI, and what we do on campus.  Opportunity to share what you would like to gain from the conference

Tuesday, April 27

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: EVERYONE HAS AN ACCENT:  RECOGNIZING AND COUNTERACTING LINGUISTIC BIAS

• Sarah Hercula, PhD-Have you ever been judged based on the way you talk? Humans seem to have a strong sense of “rights” and “wrongs” when it comes to language, but all of us also have unique features of our language connected to our geography, culture, age, gender, race, and many other factors. In fact, everyone speaks a dialect of their language and everyone has an accent! In this workshop, Dr. Hercula will explain some of the facts and myths associated with language variation and will illustrate the impact of linguistic bias. She will also offer some strategies for recognizing and counteracting linguistic bias in yourself and others.

12:00-1:00pm LANGUAGE AND GENDER:  EXPLORING THE INFLUENCES AND CONSEQUENCES OF OUR WORD CHOICES

• Jessica Cundiff, PhD-So much of our realities are shaped by how we have learned to use language to get our points across. We may not even realize just how much we are communication when we speak!  Come to this session to dig deeper into the power of word choices and what we can do to foster more inclusive and empowering communities for everyone. 

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: PRONOUNS

• Shannon Cox, Student Diversity Programs- SDI hosts this training in an effort to promote a gender-inclusive environment by teaching basic definitions of pronouns and the use of gender-nonconforming pronouns. We also educate participants on common misconceptions surrounding pronoun usage and how to organically incorporate pronouns in everyday life.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: WE ARE UNDERUSED:  S&T WRITING CENTER EXPLORES HOW YOU CAN AVOID BIAS IN YOUR WRITING

• Phillip Bode, Writing Center-S&T Writing Center explores how you can avoid bias in your writing.  Celebrating and recognizing the value of diversity is also critical to how we write and communicate at a technical level.  It's increasingly important to avoid bias in your writing and communications-whether you are discussing gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, and more.  The American Psychological Association (APA) recognized the importance of avoiding such biases in their most recent publication manual.  This talk from the S&T Writing Center will cover approachable and accessible strategies that individuals of all backgrounds can apply in their writing and communications in avoiding bias and recognizing diversity.

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: SAFE SPACE

• Emily Lasso De La Vega, Student Diversity Initiatives-In addition to fostering a greater sense of belonging for our LGBTQ+ students, this workshop aims to build valuable bridges between students in this community and their allies. SDI firmly believes that building community benefits everyone and we look forward to working with your group towards a supportive and interdependent campus community. This presentation includes self-reflective activities, exploration of terminology, tools for supporting the LGBTQ+ community while creating a more inclusive environment, and resources on and off campus for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

Friday, April 30, 12:00-1:00pm STEPUP FOR DIVERSITY

• Brett Hartley, Tim Kruper, Miner Wellness-This session will give you the skills and confidence when responding to problems and concerns. STEP UP empowers the S&T community to foster a culture of awareness, intervention, and inclusion.