Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity
Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity is a semester-long leadership training program designed to increase intercultural awareness and skills, while enhancing understanding and connection through diversity. Focus is on increasing self-awareness while building intercultural leadership skills.
The program brings together undergraduate and graduate/professional domestic and international students at the University of Iowa. Students selected to participate in the Bridge program will be one of approximately 25 UI students identified to receive intercultural and diversity leadership training. Participants work in small multicultural groups to plan the Bridge Open Forum - an intercultural program planned and facilitated by the participants to inform the campus community about intercultural issues.
Participants in Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity will:
- Explore personal cultural background and understand how it effects your interaction with others.
- Demonstrate understanding of culture and how to navigate differences and cross-cultural conflicts.
- Explain dimensions of diversity, power and privilege, and why it is important to be a change agent.
- Experience building effective cross-cultural relationships and working in a multicultural group-setting.
- Facilitate a program to engage the campus community on diversity issues and raise awareness of these issues.
Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity has no costs and the program does not offer course credit for participating in it. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate and be recognized on the International Programs website.
As part of the Be Better at Iowa Initiative, this program integrates Dr. Corey Seemiller’s Student Leadership Competencies (SLCs) into educationally purposeful experiences to support student success. More information can be found at https://bebetter.uiowa.edu/
Spring 2022:
Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity program application for the Spring 2022 semester is available now. The program will be held online via Zoom each Thursday 3:30-4:45pm in the Spring 2022 semester. Application deadline is Friday, December 10, 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Paulson by email brandon-paulson@uiowa.edu.
| Date | Topics | Student Leadership Competencies | Assignments | Instructors |
| January 28 |
Welcome and Program Overview
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Brandon Paulson |
| February 4 |
Making It Real
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|
Brandon Paulson |
| February 11 |
Cultural Intersections
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Rudia W. Kihura and Taivna Mills |
| February 18 |
Open Forum Preparation
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|
Brandon Paulson |
| February 25 |
Developing Your Intercultural Insight
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Pauline Beazer James, Shuhui Lin, and Brandon Paulson |
| March 4 |
Power, Privilege, and Oppression - Part 1 |
|
Valerie Garr | |
| March 11 | Power, Privilege, and Oppression - Part 2 |
|
Valerie Garr | |
| March 18 |
Navigating Intercultural Conflicts
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|
Pauline Beazer James, Shuhui Lin, and Rudia W. Kihura |
| March 25 |
Open Forum Preparation
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|
Brandon Paulson | |
| April 1 |
Global Leadership
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|
Matt Augeri | |
| April 8 |
Open Forum Preparation
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|
Brandon Paulson | |
| April 15 |
Open Forum |
|
Bridge Participants | |
| April 22 |
Reflection and Synthesis |
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Yashwant Prakash Vyas |
| April 29 |
Application and Practice |
|
Yashwant Prakash Vyas | |
| May 6 |
Program Celebration
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|
Brandon Paulson |
Program Instructors:
- Matt Augeri, Director, Career Leadership Academy, Pomerantz Career Center
- Pauline Beazer James, Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services
- Valerie Garr, Diversity Coordinator, College of Nursing
- Rudia W. Kihura, Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services
- Shuhui Lin, Coordinator of International Student Support and Engagement; International Student and Scholar Services/Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement
- Taivna Mills, International Services Associate, International Student and Scholar Services
- Brandon Paulson, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services
- Yashwant Prakash Vyas, Assistant Director, Diversity Resources, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
A very special thanks to our program instructors for their willingness to share their expertise and knowledge with our participants.
"Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity is an excellently-designed program with great instructors! It has a lot to offer both to undergraduate and graduate students who are looking to learn valuable intercultural skills which will help them have a deeper understanding of cultural diversity. The program also provides the participants with concrete tools to navigate cultural conflicts in their future careers."
"Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity is a program I think everybody should experience. I was able to meet people from all different backgrounds, explore important topics in cross-cultural diversity, and learn more about the UI community. I'm grateful for the knowledge it gave me to be a more aware citizen of this world!”
Program Contact:
Contact Brandon Paulson with questions about the Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity certificate program by email brandon-paulson@uiowa.edu or phone (319) 335-0335.
UI Accessibility Statement:
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Brandon Paulson in advance at (319) 335-0335.
UI Non-Discrimination Statement:
The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, education programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. For additional information contact the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), (319) 335-0705.
Alumni Spotlight: Lilian Sanchez
University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) Vice President Lilian Sanchez sources her Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity experience during her first year at Iowa as an influence on the prominent theme of inclusivity in the Bridge UI platform. Read more about Lilian.