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 2019-2020 cohort:
Jennifer Abe
Vice President
for Intercultural Affairs
Shaun Anderson
Assistant Professor
Communication Studies
Communication & Fine Arts
Csilla Samay
Assistant Dean of Students
Office for International Students & Scholars
Henry Ward
Director
Ethnic & Intercultural Services
Martin Alvarez
Senior Director
Facilities Management
Cindy Archer
Associate Dean & Clinical
Professor of Law
Clinical Programs & Experiential Learning
Loyola Law School
Joe Bernardo
Intercultural Affairs Associate
Intercultural Affairs
Christine Chavez
Senior Director
Institutional Research & Decision Support
Douglas Christie
Professor & Chair
Theological Studies
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
Saeri Dobson
Professor & Chair
Studio Arts
Communication & Fine Arts
Patrick Furlong
Associate Director
Center for Service and Action
Negin Ghavami
Assistant Professor
Psychology
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
Kyle Greenberg
Director of Professional
Development & Pre-Law Advisor
Career & Professional Development
Hillary Henderson
Administrative Specialist
Intercultural Affairs
Linh Hua
Instructor
Rhetorical Arts/Core
Academic Affairs
MaryAnne Huepper, CSJ
Associate Director
Center for Reconciliation & Justice
Garland Kirkpatrick
Professor
Graphic Design
Communication & Fine Arts
Schoene Mahmood
Program Manager
Restorative Justice Project
Center for Urban Resilience
Wayne Negrete, S.J.
Assistant Director
Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Jennifer Pate
Professor of Economics
Associate Dean
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
Jennifer Rivera-Silverman
University Registrar
Records and Registration
Jon Rou
Assistant Director for Photo & Video
Marketing & Communications
Nathan Sessoms
Director
Office of Black Student Services
Ethnic & Intercultural Services
Brendan Smith
Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Seaver College of Science & Engineering
Dayle Smith
Dean
College of Business Administration
Kienan Taweil
Program Coordinator
Muslim Student Life
Ethnic & Intercultural Services
Seal Valleyfield
Senior Administrative Coordinator
Office of EVP and Chief Administrative Officer
Jenny Vasquez
Associate Director
Graduate Recruitment & Admissions
School of Film & Television
Rochelle Webb
Clinical Assistant Professor
Entrepreneurship
College of Business Administration
Kennedy Wheatley
Assistant Professor
School of Film & Television
Linda Whitfield
Senior Assistant Dean
Dean of Students
Student Services
Loyola Law SchoolMember 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.