Time Schedule:
Alexandra K Liggins
PB AF 598
Seattle Campus
Teaches practical administrative, leadership, and analytic skills commonly required of managers and analysts in the public and nonprofit sectors. The workshops emphasize hands-on problem resolution, simulations, and actual practice.
Class description
Course Description: Learn how to ensure that organizational diversity strategies are aligned with the mission and the delivery of day-to-day services. Identify common pitfalls and challenges in developing and implementing diversity initiatives. Learn best practices for moving organizational diversity initiatives forward in an organization.
In this highly interactive one-credit course you will:
1. Complete a Myers-Briggs Type indicator* (MBTI) assessment to help determine your natural workstyle preferences. You will understand your preferred way to respond to team challenges. In addition, you will understand how your preferences allows you to make a distinctive contribution to the team. 2. Increase skills for collaboration by learning and practicing several effective communication and conflict resolution skills that can be applied to all team challenges including cross-cultural situations. You will have the opportunity to practice many skills using relevant team scenarios provided by the class. 3. Increase your understanding of team members MBTI types and how different perspectives and methods can lead to useful and effective problem solving.
* MBTI is a well documented and researched indicator which helps people understand their natural preferences for how they focus their energy, gather information, make decisions, and live in a certain way. The MBTI provides a constructive measure of personality by looking at eight personality preferences that all people on a team use at different times. There will be a modest cost for students for the assessment book.
Student learning goals
Learn several organizational diversity frameworks and the strengths and challenges of each framework;
Understand how an organization’s culture, mission, and responsibilities effect organizational diversity strategies;
Identify common challenges and pitfalls to organizational diversity strategies and identify current best practices;
Leverage organizational strengths to further diversity efforts;
Considerations for conducting needs assessment or cultural audits;
The role of communicating and marketing the diversity initiative; and, Developing a Strategic Diversity Plan.
General method of instruction
The course will incorporate a variety of instruction techniques and is highly interactive. Students will read articles, book excerpts, experience short lectures, small and large group-discussions, and in-class exercises.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Attendance at all 3 sessions and active participation Readings - to be distributed “Next Steps” Proposal Assignment: Chose an organization you are familiar with --as a volunteer or employee.
Assume you are charged with recommending identifying the “next steps” to move your organization forward with their diversity initiative. Apply course learning in writing a 3 page proposal in which you briefly assess your organization’s diversity strategy:
Would you conduct a cultural audit? Why or why not? If yes, what questions would you design to be included in a cultural audit? What methodologies would you use to collect data? What are your objectives for the audit? What diversity stage would you assess your organization? What recommendations would you offer to move the organization towards becoming a more inclusive, culturally competent, and higher performing organization? What is your timeline?
Participation/attendance; and 3 page proposal.
