Members of the staff and student body at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) were recently recognized for their completion of the Diversity Champions program offered by the University. The voluntary effort is designed to educate and inform participants about diversity, equity and inclusion. It was initiated by the CUKC Diversity Committee.
Participants completed self-paced, training modules using the Lively Paradox Virtual Training platform (LPVT), along with finishing a LPVT workbook. They were also required to volunteer at least four hours with a diversity-based organization. The program began June 26, and all associated activities had to be completed by Sept. 1.
CUKC Dean of Student Affairs, David Foose, is the chair of the Diversity Committee at the University. The group is comprised of students and employees, to provide a broad representation of the CUKC community. This includes members of the administration along with students and faculty from the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Chiropractic, as well as a representative of the Student American Black Chiropractic Association club.
Foose said the decision to offer this program came from a desire to take Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) education training to the next level at CUKC. He was familiar with the owner of the LPVT platform, Dr. Nicole Price, whom he had seen present twice before at conferences, and he was impressed with her approach to DEI.
Regarding whether the program had the desired results, Foose said trainings are always approached with specific goals in mind. The feedback received indicates that the participants found the LPVT experience to be valuable.
“As with all co-curricular events offered by CUKC, we strive for participants to feel that their experience has positively impacted their personal development, professional development, leadership skills, and respect for others,” Foose said. “From the survey responses we have received, all respondents have indicated that they ‘strongly agree’ that the program positively influenced all four of the above areas.”
Four students and eight staff members completed the program. Because the training was well received, Foose anticipates offering additional DEI training next year.
