The Center on Diversity and Community is organizing a two-day conference at the Knight Law Center to provide students, faculty, staff and the community an opportunity to consider, inquire and voice their opinion on cultural competency.
“What is Cultural Competency? A Series of Conversations” is designed to answer questions regarding the term “cultural competency,” such as its origins, why it is controversial and how the term differs from “diversity.”
The conference kicks off today in Room 175 of the law center with a video of University students’ conversations with acclaimed diversity educator and filmmaker Lee Mun Wah from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. University President Dave Frohnmayer will provide opening remarks. A reception will follow the program.
The conference will continue Friday with “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Envisioning and Actualizing Excellence for All” from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Room 175, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Hazel Symonette, senior policy and program development specialist for the University of Wisconsin System Administration. A complimentary lunch, courtesy of University Housing, will be served at “The Cultural Competency Project: An Introduction,” led by Interim Dean of Students Dr. Robin Holmes, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
A number of concurrent sessions will run all day Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.