Wednesday, November 15, 2023
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Feature by: Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
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For Whitman's faculty and staff, continuous professional development and learning around diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism (DEIA) is a necessary element for inclusive excellence. An inclusive Whitman requires all of us. While we may all be busy with our different roles and responsibilities, our actions, decisions, comments and essentially all of our workplace behaviors impact the campus climate.
In the last couple of years, a number of people have had the opportunity to engage in deep learning at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American higher education (NCORE). Others have attended Community Learning Day sessions or attended Third Space Speaker events (the next speaker is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29). Several departments on campus have engaged in a structured DEIA education process using a custom learning plan designed by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Ask me about the DEIA Maturity Matrix!
As we head into the holiday break, I wanted to lift up a couple of resources that you might want to consider engaging with to grow your understanding around workplace climate and connection across difference. The first is the text “Subtle Acts of Exclusion” by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran. The book is described as “a practical, accessible, nonjudgmental handbook to help individuals and organizations recognize and prevent microaggressions in the workplace.” This is a useful tool to understand the impact of our words on others and provides concrete examples of ways that people can sometimes feel excluded. With chapters focused on exclusion based on gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, disability, religion, as well as age and generation, Subtle Acts of Exclusion describes the experience of othering and offers strategies for creating a more inclusive climate. If you or your team are interested in reading this book, let us know. We have a few copies available for distribution.
The second resource we want to share with you is the web series Race in the Workplace. This collection of nine zoom lectures by Dr. Shaun Harper helps expand our understanding of the way that race shows up in our institutions and provides “practical approaches to improving and advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in organizations.” Harper is the Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership at the University of Southern California (USC) and the founder and executive director of the USC Race and Equity Center.
As you consider the next step in your DEIA learning journey, consider one of these resources or reach out to our Division for a recommendation. We are here to help you along the way.
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Andrés Aragoneses Publishes Research in Journal
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Associate Professor of Physics Andrés Aragoneses recently published new research in the journal Dynamics with a student from Eastern Washington University. In their research they apply a new technique, introduced by Aragoneses’ research group in a recent paper, to extract temporal correlations features from complex dynamical systems and distinguish families of chaos. They were able to track changes in the landscape of chaotic systems as they evolve and forecast abrupt changes in the behavior of the dynamics.
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Pre-Powwow Presentation Tonight
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In preparation for the inaugural Pášx̣apa Powwow on Saturday, Althea Huesties Wolf will give a presentation about why dancing is part of powwow tradition—tonight at 7 p.m. in Olin Auditorium.
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Third Space Speaker Series Returning Soon
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The Third Space Speaker Series returns on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom. (See attached flyer.) New York Times bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo is best known for her book, “So You Want To Talk About Race.” Her next book, “Be a Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—And Now You Can, Too” will be published in January.
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Pete & Hedda Reid Award Nominations Open
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Each year, the Pete & Hedda Reid Award recognizes one Whitman faculty or staff member for their exceptional volunteer work within the community. The online nomination form is open now through midnight on Thursday, Nov. 30. The award recipient will be honored during a Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony and will receive $1,000. Candidates must have worked at Whitman for at least three years. (View past recipients.)
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Free Counseling Services for Whitman Students
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The Counseling Center provides free access for Whitman students to teletherapy and counselors through Uwill. Choose your therapist, a time of day that meets your schedule and appointment type (video, phone, chat). For questions, contact the Counseling Center at 509-527-5195 or reach out directly to Uwill at 833-998-9455 or support@uwill.com. (See attached flyer.)
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Photos (Lee Gavin): Last month, the second annual Northwest Native Fashion Show at Wildhorse Resort & Casino showcased the designs of 13 Native designers. Lindsey Pasena-Littlesky ’26 was one of the models who walked the runway during the event (see more photos on Instagram).
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Conference Room
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Memorial Building, Room 205
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Open Office Hours for Students: President Bolton
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Memorial Building, Room 304
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Reid Campus Center, Room 207
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students.
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