FSDP: Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program

The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program (DICP) is designed to reinforce the University’s core values of diversity and inclusion through a series of six introductory-level workshops open to all faculty and staff. The workshops address both individual behaviors and University policies that can impact an environment of opportunity and success for all members of the University community. Participants will leave these workshops with an increased awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion to an environment of academic and workplace success.

Watch this video for a brief overview of the DICP series!

The program requires completion of two required workshops, four elective workshops, and participation in a capstone conversation session facilitated by a member of the Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. All workshops required to earn the DICP certificate will be offered on a rotating basis each fall and spring through the Faculty and Staff Development Program (FSDP). Participants are expected to track their own progress and report completion of required courses to the Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion using the following online DICP Completion Form.

The Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program consists of the following workshops.

Two required core workshops:

  • Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
  • Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Your Responsibility

Choose four elective workshops:

  • Baby Boomers to Gen Z: Respect and Productivity in the Workplace
  • Creating Equal Access: Getting Started with Digital Accessibility
  • Different Like You: Recognizing Stereotypes and Removing Barriers
  • Gender Theory, Gender Diversity, and Trans-Inclusive Spaces
  • Identity, Power, and Privilege
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Creating an Accommodating and Inclusive Environment
  • Intercultural Competency
  • Microaggression: Recognizing and Challenging a Subtle Form of Bias
  • Clarifying Stereotypes & Misperceptions about Religions & Religious Identities
  • Veterans on Campus: Understanding Resources and Opportunity
  • Workplace Bullying: Understanding a Barrier to Equal Opportunity

Baby Boomers to Gen Z: Respect and Productivity in the Workplace

Presenter: Warren McCoy, Institutional Equity Specialist
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. 
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

For the first time, we have as many as five different generations working together in a single workplace: Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation 9/11. This workshop presents methods for bridging the gap between generations and shows participants how to avoid conflict and increase productivity in their generationally diverse workplaces. Workshop participants will learn about generational differences, generational similarities, how generational traits impact the workplace, and how good communication skills can develop a more respectful workplace.

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Clarifying Stereotypes & Misperceptions about Religions & Religious Identities

Presenter: Brock Bahler, Professor, Director, Undergraduate Studies
   Department of Religious Studies
   University of Pittsburgh

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023  
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: 342 Craig Hall, In-person 

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

History, personal upbringing, lack of exposure, and media can all play a role in shaping—and even distorting—our perceptions of religion, religious communities, and religious identities. This course not only explores the changing demographics of religious identification and confronts persistent stereotypes regarding religious identities, but will also consider the incredible diversity that can be found within religious traditions and even in how faith and religion are conceptualized in different traditions. 

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Creating Equal Access: Getting Started with Digital Accessibility

Presenter: Angie Bedford-Jack, Director of Digital Equity and Special Projects
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon 
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

Digital accessibility is a new topic and can be intimidating. We want all members of the Pitt community to be able to freely, independently, and easily access resources and materials, but we don’t always know how to make that a reality. In this workshop we will explore fundamental principles of accessibility and how they impact people with disabilities as well as how to create more accessible content in Microsoft Office products (Word and PowerPoint). Participants will learn easy, practical skills that they can begin implementing immediately.

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Different Like You: Recognizing Stereotypes and Removing Barriers

Presenter: Warren McCoy, Institutional Equity Specialist
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

Workforce diversity in the 21st century focuses less on what group a person is identified with and more on the unique perspectives of each individual. This workshop is an overview intended to increase participants’ awareness of diversity issues in the workplace as well as their acceptance and appreciation of the unique perspectives and backgrounds of others. Participants will learn to identify and examine one’s own stereotypes and prejudices and how these may influence behaviors and responses. Learn how recognizing barriers to accepting diversity can help to remove them and create an environment for academic and workplace success. Participants will identify ways to promote respect and dignity for others.

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Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Presenters: Cheryl Ruffin, Institutional Equity Manager
Warren McCoy, Institutional Equity Specialist
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. 
Location:  342 Craig Hall, in-person 
Date 2: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Virtual
Date 3: Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

When we talk about diversity and inclusion, diversity is the more familiar topic. The discussion must go beyond seeking and building a diverse workforce to include how we make those whom we work with feel both valued and included. Workshop participants will discuss the differences between diversity, inclusion, and exclusion. They will also leave this workshop with a heightened awareness of the importance of inclusion to a successful workplace and how to promote inclusion in their workplace.

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Identity, Power, and Privilege

Presenter: Mario Browne
   Associate Dean for Equity, Engagement, and Justice
   School of Pharmacy

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person 

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

This workshop is designed to provide a safe space for participants to begin a conversation about identity, power, and privilege in ways they may not have before. The workshop facilitators will guide the conversation around social identities, dominance and oppression in society, and the definition of key terms. Activities will provide insights in how identity, power, and privilege play out in individual lives.

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Intercultural Competency

Presenters: Richard Sherman, Assistant Director of the Student Team
   Caitlin Dawson, Immigration Specialist
   Lou Deemer, Immigration Specialist
   Jean Wenner, Immigration Specialist
   Office of International Services

Date 1: Monday, October 23, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon 
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Monday, November 13, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

Working and providing services in a diverse environment requires a knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, values, and behaviors. This fun, yet informative, session will help participants gain understanding to enhance the quality of their interactions with international and diverse students, faculty, and staff at the University and elsewhere.

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Microaggression: Recognizing and Challenging a Subtle Form of Bias

Presenter: Warren McCoy, Institutional Equity Specialist
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 1-3 p.m.
Location: Virtual 

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

What are microaggressions? How can they harm individual members of the University community? Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of this form of bias and the building blocks that contribute to microaggressions. The workshop instructor will facilitate exercises and discussions to help participants recognize microaggressions and learn strategies for addressing the subtle messages sent that can create a feeling of marginalization among community members. 

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Preventing Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Your Responsibility

Presenter: Carrie Benson, Prevention and Education Coordinator
   Office for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Date 1: Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 1-3 p.m.
Location: 342 Craig Hall, in-person
Date 2: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Virtual

Who Should Attend: All faculty and staff

This workshop is designed to promote a common and consistent understanding and application of the University of Pittsburgh policies, standards, and processes with regard to Title IX. The workshop facilitator will address required timeliness that all potential responders must adhere to upon becoming aware of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment. Participants will leave this workshop with an enhanced awareness of the various forms of harassment, sexual misconduct, and domestic violence, as well as their responsibility to promote a culture of prevention and safety for all.

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