The series is a collaboration between the WKCTC’s student development and cultural diversity offices, the Student Multicultural Appreciation Club and the Campus Diversity and Inclusion committee. The programs are designed to reflect the college’s commitment to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming college environment.
“This series will heighten awareness that diversity embodies all differences — cultural, cognitive, linguistic, racial, ethnic, geographic, gender, social, abilities, sexual orientation, and economic — that make us unique individuals,” said Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell, WKCTC vice president of student development. “We strive to cultivate a learning environment where all individual differences and perspectives are valued and respected.”
Programs are held on the WKCTC campus and various locations in the community. The programs for September – November on the WKCTC Campus are as follows.
September 8
The Voice: Communication Bias & Discrimination
11 a.m. – Noon, Matheson Library
Explore the various tongues of the English language and people’s perceptions through viewing “American Tongues,” a Peabody award-winning documentary examining accents and dialects of the United States English language.
September 9
Chad Pregracke, 2013 CNN Hero of the Year
Helping to Clean America’s Rivers: From the Bottom Up
7 – 8:30 p.m., Crounse Hall 101
Chad Pregracke will share about his organization Living Lands and Waters. Learn about and how Pregracke and nearly 70,000 volunteers have collected over seven and half-million pounds of debris from our nation’s greatest rivers.
September 17
Creating a Global Mindset for Success with Stacie Berdan
11 a.m., Clemens Fine Arts Center and 7 p.m., Crounse Hall 101
Stacie Berdan is a seasoned global executive, an international careers expert, and an award-winning author on how to succeed in the global marketplace. She provides practical and relevant advice on the value of understanding cross-cultural environments, the benefits of feminine leadership, and the need for developing a global mindset in all American students, teachers and parents today.
September 29
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
11 a.m. – Noon, Matheson Library
Each year Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. Celebrations highlight the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. This fall WKCTC will observe the eighth year of celebrating Hispanic heritage.
October 13
In My Shoes … I’m a College Student with a Different Way of Doing Things
11 a.m. – Noon, Matheson Library
A group of differently-abled students will each share their own challenges and achievements as students at WKCTC, providing an awareness and understanding of their day-to-day lives.
October 14
“It Gets Better” by Us Making It Better: Inclusion & Affirmation with Jody Cofer Randall
2 – 3:30 p.m., Emerging Technology Center, Room 109
7-8:30 p.m., Murray State University Paducah Regional Campus
Jody Cofer Randall is the Murray State University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) program coordinator. This presentation will offer efforts being made for the inclusion and affirmation of LGBT individuals specifically at colleges and universities and in municipal settings.
October 22
Sustainability Day Think Global, Act Local: South Africa to West Kentucky
11 a.m. – Noon, Waller Hall, Room 112
Campus Sustainability Day is held each year nationally to bring higher education awareness to sustainable development, focusing on environmental, economic and social justice efforts. Bobby Ann Lee, WKCTC biology professor, will present her ecotourism safari as an example of sustainable development in South Africa.
November 12
Code Talkers: Native American Languages Used in the World Wars
11 a.m. – Noon, Matheson Library
This presentation features the long-classified project that was key to United States success during WWII. Learn about the Native Americans that fought in the U.S. military, utilizing code from their languages that proved unbreakable by the enemy.
November 19
In My Shoes … I’m a College Student from Another Country
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Anderson Technical Building Bistro
A group of students whose families are non-native to the United States will discuss their heritage and the cultural expectations their families have brought to America. The students will each tell their own stories and how the cultural differences impact their daily lives at the college.
For more information about WKCTC diversity and inclusion programs, contact Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell at 270-534-3081 or belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu. A complete list off-campus programs can be found at www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Student_Life/Cultural_Diversity.aspx
