Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Introduces New Discussion Cafés

September 4, 2020

A close-up of a coffee cup beside a laptop on a wooden surface.

A new series launches this fall in the form of a PVM Virtual Learning Café designed to foster discussion with the intent to enlighten, encourage, and inspire. Hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the first session will be held on Wednesday, September 30.

The monthly series, hosted on a Wednesday from 12:30 – 1:20 p.m., will include 50 minute, online discussions with the goal of developing opportunities to network around diverse topics related to cultural climate. Dr. Latonia Craig, PVM assistant dean for inclusive excellence, said the reasons for starting these cafés stemmed from the period of racial unrest our nation has faced in the past few months combined with a need for more opportunities within the college to speak on these subjects. “Our goal is to create an opportunity for dialogue,” Dr. Craig said. “When we talk to each other, we gain more perspective.”

This project received a generous donation from Joanne Troutner, a client of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. As a result of this support, a wide range of incentives, including books, will be available to the first 40 students and 20 faculty or staff members who attend the café sessions.

The initial discussion on Wednesday, September 30, led by Dr. Craig, will cover the topic, “Increasing Your Intercultural Competency.” The following sessions this fall include, “What If I Say the Wrong Thing? Strategies to Employ” on October 21 and “How to be An Ally” on November 18. Topics are based on feedback received from an interest survey sent to the PVM family this summer. The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plans to release the spring schedule in early November. A recording of the sessions will also be available on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website following the events.

Additionally, the Purdue University Division of Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a series of distinguished guest speakers this fall. The next virtual learning event will feature Ben Crump, civil rights attorney and lead attorney for the family of George Floyd on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m.

Writer(s): Jonathan Martz, PVM Communications Intern, and Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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