Diversity Resource Center Programs

Diversity Resource Center Programs

• Diversity Lunch Hour Series
• EMBRACE Program
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
• Safe Zone Training
• STEPS College Access Project
• Unity Breakfast

Diversity Lunch Hour Series

An informal, monthly, brown-bag discussion featuring a UW Tacoma faculty, staff member or alumni, addressing various topics that pertain to diversity.  Presenters most often focus on an aspect of their research or work.  Past discussions have included multicultural identity, race and politics, traditional Maori carving, and a wide range of other topics.

EMBRACE Program

EMBRACE is comprised of three main components:

• Workshop Series
• Leadership Program
• EMBRACE Council

Click here for more information.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

The DRC sponsors an annual service project in the South Puget Sound area, to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.  The UW Tacoma program takes places over several days in order to accommodate student schedules, but is organized as part of the national MLK Jr. Day of Service, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“The King Day of Service is a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, or it may meet a need of the spirit, such as building a sense of community or mutual responsibility. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, and bridge barriers.”
— www.mlkday.gov

Safe Zone Training

This free training is offered to faculty and staff twice a year.Students are also welcome to attend if space allows. The purpose of the training is to:

• Increase the understanding and awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning issues across the entire campus community.
• Provide a more welcoming environment and greater sense of safety for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at UW Tacoma.
• Offer information and resources to straight allies who are in positions that may place them in contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, as well as faculty and staff.
• Educate participants about issues regarding homophobia, heterosexism, and LGBTQ issues on the UW Tacoma campus and in the surrounding community, and enable them to direct students to the appropriate resources if needed.

Upcoming trainings:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 – 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, 2009 – 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 – 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 – 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon

For more information about how to sign up for a Safe Zone training, please contact the DRC.

STEPS College Access Project

The STEPS Project pairs first-generation UW Tacoma college students with first-generation college bound students from local Tacoma high schools, to work on college-related goals and activities.  Specifically, we partner with the MDC Talent Search program, which serves students in Mt. Tahoma and Lincoln high schools.  The two main goals of the program are to improve retention rates of first-generation college students and increase college access opportunities for underserved high school students.  This program is funded through the Washington Campus Compact Retention Project.

Click here for more information on how to get involved.

Unity Breakfast

This breakfast began in 2006, featuring former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, and has become an annual event that commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  The Office of Equity and Diversity is one of many campus offices that help to sponsor this event.

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