Post- Program Reflection
ABOUT ALDP:
This past semester was so rewarding for me in so many ways. This was my first semester apart of ROAR on campus, ROAR is what lead me to pursue the Advanced Leadership Development Program or ALDP. For those who do not know ALDP recognizes that tour guides on campus have the opportunity to make a difference in more way than one. ALDP serves to address something on campus that the group would like to have ROAR work to improve. The focus of this past semester was to understand a deeper meaning of diversity and inclusion on campus. Other goals that were worked towards was to continue to grow as collegiate leaders both in ROAR and outside and to explore topics in higher education allowing individuals to further understand their education and work in ROAR.
THE EXPERIENCE:
15 members of ALDP met once a week for 6 weeks to plan how we could make a difference in diversity and inclusion on campus. In the first initial weeks we were challenged to think outside the box and learn more about how diversity affects collegiate campuses. Before coming to weekly meetings we were to blog about focus questions and read articles about the topic. Meeting discussions were focused on what we had taken away from the articles. The weekly articles set the tone and provided insight for what we could implement on campus. As a group from the start we knew that UC provides very useful resources for the students, we felt that the clubs and organizations on campus that are centered around diversity and inclusion should be showcased more in relation to ROAR. In order to learn more about the diversity and inclusion resources on campus, each member in ALDP reached out to every organization with specific questions. We did this to have a deeper understanding about UC's resources other than what information is provided for the public online. We reached out to the following clubs and organizations:
THE PROJECT:
With our background research completed we proceeded with our final project idea. Promote diversity and inclusion on UC’s campus through the admissions process by providing increased training for new tour guides, creating better representation of diversity and inclusive activities in the admissions preview, and creating a specialized pamphlet that specifically targets diversity and inclusion in regards to admissions and student retention.
THREE PROJECT DELIVERABLES:
ARTIFACT:
This past semester was so rewarding for me in so many ways. This was my first semester apart of ROAR on campus, ROAR is what lead me to pursue the Advanced Leadership Development Program or ALDP. For those who do not know ALDP recognizes that tour guides on campus have the opportunity to make a difference in more way than one. ALDP serves to address something on campus that the group would like to have ROAR work to improve. The focus of this past semester was to understand a deeper meaning of diversity and inclusion on campus. Other goals that were worked towards was to continue to grow as collegiate leaders both in ROAR and outside and to explore topics in higher education allowing individuals to further understand their education and work in ROAR.
THE EXPERIENCE:
15 members of ALDP met once a week for 6 weeks to plan how we could make a difference in diversity and inclusion on campus. In the first initial weeks we were challenged to think outside the box and learn more about how diversity affects collegiate campuses. Before coming to weekly meetings we were to blog about focus questions and read articles about the topic. Meeting discussions were focused on what we had taken away from the articles. The weekly articles set the tone and provided insight for what we could implement on campus. As a group from the start we knew that UC provides very useful resources for the students, we felt that the clubs and organizations on campus that are centered around diversity and inclusion should be showcased more in relation to ROAR. In order to learn more about the diversity and inclusion resources on campus, each member in ALDP reached out to every organization with specific questions. We did this to have a deeper understanding about UC's resources other than what information is provided for the public online. We reached out to the following clubs and organizations:
- LEAF
- Society of Chinese American Professors & Scientists
- Women in Science and Engineering
- Women's Institute for Leadership Development
- Disability Services Office
- African American Cultural & Resource Center
- Center for Race, Gender and Social Justice
- Center for Community Engagement
- Gen-1 Theme House
- Emerging Ethnic Engineers (E3) Program
- Just Community
- LGBTQ Center
- Rowe Center for Women in Engineering
- Putting Retention 1st in the Zest for Excellence (PR1ZE)
- Racial Awareness Program (RAPP)
- Striving to Transform, Enrich, Empower and Reward (STEER)
- Title IX
- UC Early Learning Center
- UC International
- UC Women's Center
- Veterans Programs & Services
- Women's Initiatives Network (WIN)
THE PROJECT:
With our background research completed we proceeded with our final project idea. Promote diversity and inclusion on UC’s campus through the admissions process by providing increased training for new tour guides, creating better representation of diversity and inclusive activities in the admissions preview, and creating a specialized pamphlet that specifically targets diversity and inclusion in regards to admissions and student retention.
THREE PROJECT DELIVERABLES:
- A new addition to the training binder: The new information in the binder should accomplish two things: clarify the role of the tour guide in the admissions pipeline and provide further information on the services on UC’s campus related to selfidentity. We would also suggest including a D&I event attendance as a requirement for training that pushes the guides out of their comfort zone and allows them to speak more effectively about all the services UC offers, rather than just the buildings that house those services. What activities could be included in our ROAR Blast? Target existing guides, not just new ones. Competition for guides: how many events/experiences can you complete?
- Modification of the preview: The preview should not represent diversity as a statistic, but as an experience that showcases all of the opportunities to get involved and the identity services our school offers. Bring in quotes and experiences from students involved in related offices/student organizations.
- A specialized pamphlet for admissions regarding diversity and inclusion: By creating a small pamphlet or flyer that showcases the wide range of activities on campus, we could showcase UC’s efforts related to shaping a diverse and inclusive campus and provide more detail about the services and centers UC supports in a single, accessible document. This could be a seasonal document showcasing monthly or semester activities and give current guides a reminder for events to discuss on their tour.
ARTIFACT:
diversity_and_inclusion_pamphlet_final__1_.pdf | |
File Size: | 963 kb |
File Type: |
WHAT I LEARNED:
This past semester has really opened my eyes to the importance diversity and inclusion has for a college. I've learned that diversity promotes others to think outside of the box and think in different ways than they normally would. This type of discussion is only promoted by people who are different than each other. In order for colleges to continue to strive for higher learning I believe that a diverse population is necessary. As a tour guide for prospective students it is my job to show off UC in the best light. This past semester has also taught me about the wonderful resources that we have on campus that support diversity and inclusion. Many of the resources and clubs that I had never heard of before but know feel confident speaking of them on my tours. I have high hopes that the work we're done in ALDP in the updated training binder, modification of the preview, and specialized pamphlet with bring about awareness and new information about diversity and inclusion at UC.
This past semester has really opened my eyes to the importance diversity and inclusion has for a college. I've learned that diversity promotes others to think outside of the box and think in different ways than they normally would. This type of discussion is only promoted by people who are different than each other. In order for colleges to continue to strive for higher learning I believe that a diverse population is necessary. As a tour guide for prospective students it is my job to show off UC in the best light. This past semester has also taught me about the wonderful resources that we have on campus that support diversity and inclusion. Many of the resources and clubs that I had never heard of before but know feel confident speaking of them on my tours. I have high hopes that the work we're done in ALDP in the updated training binder, modification of the preview, and specialized pamphlet with bring about awareness and new information about diversity and inclusion at UC.