Virtual Learning Cafés to Foster Critical Conversations in Diversity
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The Purdue Veterinary Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion once again is offering the Virtual Learning Café series this fall, with topics designed to facilitate discussion with the intent to enlighten, encourage, and inspire people to get engaged. The interactive online sessions also are intended to provide opportunities for college faculty, staff, and students to network, dialogue, and enhance intercultural competency skills. The Virtual Learning Café schedule this semester will include a variety of discussions held monthly from 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Links to the online discussions will be provided to those who register. Up to 25 registrants attending each virtual café will be eligible to receive a book after the session.
The first talk, entitled “Building the Skills of Emotional Intelligence,” is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, and will feature a presentation by Dr. Mel Campbell, psychologist, motivational speaker, and author. Dr. Campbell combines theories of motivation and psychology to help others learn how to improve customer services, sales, and communication skills.
The next café will take place on Wednesday, October 18, and features Kelsey Chapman, assistant director of the Purdue University LGBTQ Center, who will speak about “Best Practices for LGBTQ Inclusion.” Kelsey has over five years of experience in LGBTQ student affairs, with specializations in educational programming and support services. As a cultural competencies training facilitator, she has trained Purdue students, staff, faculty, and Greater Lafayette community members on intersectional and inclusive allyship to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The final café for the fall semester entitled, “Neurodiversity,” is scheduled for Friday, November 10 with Regina Carey, impact coach and passion instigator. Regina teaches people how to take action in their lives by slowing down to speed up. Regina advises that, especially for professionals with Invisible Disabilities (ADD, learning disabilities, anxiety, dyslexia, and chronic health issues), life moves fast and the stressors can add up quickly creating difficult obstacles to overcome. The goal of her work is to help people who have found themselves in an overwhelming and stressful lifestyle move forward by paying close attention to language, and letting go of worry.
Click here to register for the upcoming Virtual Learning Cafés.
Writer(s): Allison Gardner | pvmnews@purdue.edu
