Cultural Consciousness Conversations

Have you ever felt stuck or at a loss in a discussion that revolves around race/ethnicity, identity, politics, and/or religion or other differences? Do you ever wish you had a space in which you could have these conversations to gain more self-awareness as well as a greater understanding of others who come from different backgrounds and experiences?

Cultural Consciousness Conversations is a project of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in collaboration with the Student Affairs’ Ethnic and Intercultural Services and the Office for International Students and Scholars (Henry Ward and Csilla Samay). This cohort of faculty, staff, and administrators from various divisions around campus get together once a month to share stories, learn from one another, examine societal norms and cultural differences, and deepen connections across all sectors of the LMU community. The aim of this project is to cultivate intergroup relations, including campus conversations and dialogues around difference. 

The year-long program is designed to meet the following OUTCOMES: 
- Deepen critical self-awareness;
- Expand an understanding of others across social categories and a variety of differences by creating an environment for open and honest dialogue;
- Challenge personal narratives and societal norms which create inequities to move towards positive collective change;
- Develop meaningful relationships with persons from different backgrounds, who also represent different sectors of the LMU campus community;
- Complete foundational work to build capacity for facilitating intergroup dialogues with others.
The program CURRICULUM prompts self-reflection, new social contexts, and education within such topics as: 

Spirituality & Inter-religious Issues

Immigrants, Undocumented, & Refugees

Microaggressions

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

Race & Ethnicity

Power & Privilege
Member Testimonies

“It has been a privilege to have a space to engage with issues that are so deeply personal to who I am, how I identify and how I exist. I experience these issues every day but am not often given the time and space to reflect and more importantly to see how others are experiencing my presence and their own. Generally, we think about existing for the students’ education, but times like this make me realize what a privilege it is to be a part of an academic institution, especially one with Jesuit values, where learning and care for the whole person is celebrated at all levels.” – Cindy Archer

“It’s awesome to be intentional spaces where we are exploring culture in its many forms. I think each of us as staff and faculty members want to be positioned to support the students we work with in any way we can. I think one way we do that is engage in conversations with our colleagues about culture, ours and those around us, so we can learn to be more culturally responsive leaders. And so I’ve enjoyed the chance to hear from such a diverse group of colleagues who otherwise would not have the chance to gather in discussions like these.” – Patrick Furlong

"Cultural Consciousness Cohort is a tough program. It makes you think deeply and feel deeply, and then invites you to do it again--all with people who are your potential bosses, a campus stranger, or a unit neighbor. The 3-hour sessions go by quickly; and the next meeting is always too far away. Imagine looking forward to a 3-hour session that you know will be a lot of work! But CCC is impactful precisely because of the regularity of this deep work and the familiarity that develops among participants. I'm so honored to have been invited to be a part of the inaugural cohort." – Linh Hua

“I'm so honored to be a part of the Cultural Consciousness program. The amount of trust I feel within the group is incredible. I'm able to be open about myself. I feel like I've learned a great deal from these workshops and about my fellow members, which is an opportunity that I may not have had otherwise.” – Seal Valleyfield
By participating in Cultural Consciousness Conversations, members contribute to a campus culture of connection, empathy, intercultural learning, and inclusive excellence. Members can form rich bonds with others as well as develop a deeper understanding of self.

Commitment to this program includes: a pre and post survey; a mandatory Saturday retreat in September; monthly meetings on a Friday, with dialogue and experiential exercises; optional readings provided throughout the year; and assessment feedback.

Here are the workshop dates for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Saturday, September 30 (Mandatory Retreat)
- Friday, October 27
- Friday, November 17
- Friday, December 15
- Friday, January 26
- Friday, February 23
- Friday, March 29
- Friday, April 19
Complete your interest form online.

Cultural Consciousness Conversations

The year-long program is designed to meet the following OUTCOMES:

The program CURRICULUM prompts self-reflection, new social contexts, and education within such topics as:

Member Testimonies

By participating in Cultural Consciousness Conversations, members contribute to a campus culture of connection, empathy, intercultural learning, and inclusive excellence. Members can form rich bonds with others as well as develop a deeper understanding of self.

The year-long program is designed to meet the following OUTCOMES: 

The program CURRICULUM prompts self-reflection, new social contexts, and education within such topics as: 

By participating in Cultural Consciousness Conversations, members contribute to a campus culture of connection, empathy, intercultural learning, and inclusive excellence. Members can form rich bonds with others as well as develop a deeper understanding of self.