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?
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Cultural Consciousness Conversations is a project of the Office of Intercultural Affairs in collaboration with Ethnic & Intercultural Services (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 self-awareness;
- Expand an understanding of others across social categories and a variety of differences;
- 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
OIA celebrates these volunteers for engaging with openness, a willingness to learn, and a practice of cultural humility and respect.
Meet the 2020-2021 cohort:
Facilitators:
Jennifer Abe
Vice President
for Intercultural Affairs
Shaun Anderson
Assistant Professor
Communication Studies
Communication & Fine Arts
Henry Ward
Senior Director
Intercultural Advancement
Ethnic & Intercultural Services
Kennedy Wheatley
Assistant Professor
School of Film & TelevisionCohort:
Hawley Almstedt
Professor
Health and Human Sciences
Seaver College of Science & Engineering
Nicole Alonzo
Graduate Programs Recruiter
School of Film & Television
Sheri Atwater
Professor and Project Director of the SUCCESS Coaching program
School of Education
Nadeshda Balabanova
Associate Director of Business Intelligence
Institutional Research and Decision Support
Darlene Fukuji
Associate Director
Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship
College of Business Administration
Natalie Guevara
Director, Chicano Latino Student Services
Ethnic & Intercultural Services
Alejandra Hernandez
Senior Admin Coordinator
William M. Rains Library
Loyola Law School
Jolene Horn
Associate Director of Career Development
Loyola Law School
Lisa Jackson
Director of Special Events
University Advancement
Katie Jones
Director of Brand Management
Marketing and Communications
John Kissell
Writer/Editor
Marketing and Communications
Jacqueline Leung
University Advisor
Academic Resource Center
Lisha Maddox
Director of Student Success
Student Affairs
Annie Mellott
Acquisitions Librarian
William M. Rains Library
Loyola Law School
Kim Misa
Research Associate
Intercultural Affairs
John Orozco
Director
Office of Student Conduct & Community Responsibility
John Parrish
Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the President
Office of the President
Erica Privott
Assistant Director of STEM Professions
Career & Professional Development
Carol Raby
Library Events Manager
William H. Hannon Library
Emilou Reyes
Senior Administrative Coordinator
Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination (ACTI)
Noriko Sato Ward
Program Navigator
College of Business Administration/M-School
Karen Schwartzman
Director of Development
School of Film & Television
Beth Serlin
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
School of Film & Television
Seal Valleyfield
Senior Administrative Coordinator
Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer
Yves Vende
Instructor
Philosophy
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
Paul Vu
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Community of Care
Student Affairs
Ariane White
Supervisor/Coordinator of Clinical Fieldwork
Department of Teaching and Learning
School of Education
Kyo Yamashiro
Assistant Professor
Educational Leadership and Administration
School of EducationMember 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 from 2-5pm, with dialogue and experiential exercises; optional readings provided throughout the year; and assessment feedback.
Complete your interest form online.