UnderSTANding Our Community
Students, faculty, staff and community! Join us for our spring miniseries of workshops to help our community better understand one another. We'll explore topics that impact our learning and working environment here at Stan State. The workshops start on March 13 and will run through April 20th. Attend at least 3 workshops to earn a certificate of completion that recognizes your commitment to building an inclusive community. You'll learn something new, meet people and gain a deeper understanding of how we can make our University more inclusive.
Open to the Public
Come by, meet new people and expand your knowledge. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Zoom: TBA
Sponsored by the Community Engagement & Belonging Department and University Library.
Parking info for guests:
Buying a Permit
Daily permits are available near campus entrances, the cost is $6 per day (see campus map).
Hourly permits can be purchased for $2/hour in lot 1, near the Library (around University Circle).
2-hour permits are available in parking lot 8 at a reduced rate.
Parking permits are NOT required if you park on the city streets along the perimeter of campus.
Upcoming Topics
Men of Color in Higher Education Leadership Panel
March 13, 2026 - Event Details
Location: L102
This panel brings together three Stan State Academic Senate leaders — Ayuba Seidu, Dana Nakano and Arya Alami — whose diverse cultural backgrounds shape the ways they lead and serve their campus communities. Through an honest conversation on identity, masculinity and belonging, the speakers will explore how men of color navigate visibility, responsibility and representation within academic governance.
The panel highlights the richness of intersectional leadership and the significance of this moment. Participants will gain insight into the lived experiences that inform leadership across cultures, generations and roles.
Anti-Semitism 101: What You Need to Know
March 24, 2026 - Event Details
Location: L102
In the last decade, hate crimes in general, and crimes against Jews in particular have grown exponentially in the US. After Black people, Jews have become the group who has suffered most hate crimes in this country. And the rise of antisemitism has become a global phenomenon, as the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia shows. Yet antisemitism is far from new. Anti-Jewish sentiments and attacks have thousands of years of history.
This training we will provide an historical and contemporary analysis of antisemitism. We will give a broad overview of the history of the Jewish people, the history of anti-Jewish hate, and we will analyze and reflect on contemporary instances of antisemitism in the US and abroad. Historically, the rise of antisemitism has been the prelude to tragic times. And it should put all of us on alert. Understanding the phenomenon and why it happens, is a first step.
Facilitator: Dr. Sebastian Sclofsky
Race Explained: Past, Power and Impact
April 1, 2026 - Event Details
What are the intellectual roots of racism? In this training we will learn about the historical conditions that gave rise to concepts like ethnology, scientific racism, and eugenics. We will explore how these concepts and practices continue to harm people today in the form of various racial projects including laws targeting reproductive rights and immigration.
Facilitator: Dr. Rocio Alvarez
Taking a STANce: Supporting Muslim Students during Ramadan and Eid
April 20, 2026 - Event Details
Location: L102
Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha are deeply meaningful times for many of our Muslim students, shaping their daily rhythms, spiritual lives, and sense of community. This session offers foundational insight into the significance of these observances. It also invites participants to reflect on what thoughtful, culturally responsive support can look like in our classrooms, offices, and campus spaces. Through conversation and shared learning, we will explore practical ways to approach this season with awareness, flexibility, and care. Participants will leave with greater confidence in how to support Muslim students in ways that affirm belonging and honor their faith.
Facilitator: Jenan Maaz
2024-25 Events
Who has Unconscious Bias? Not me!
Nov. 13, 2024 - Event Details
Unconscious Bias — There are over 150 different types of unconscious biases, many of which are present in our day-to-day interactions with our colleagues and peers at school and in the workplace. This workshop will help attendees better understand unconscious bias and identify how it appears in the workplace and institutional policies, practices and behaviors. The first step in reducing our biases is self-awareness of the prevalence of these biases in our thoughts and decision-making processes.
My Gen is Better than Yours! Communicating Across the Ages
Nov. 19, 2024 - Event Details
Intergenerational Communication — Today, there are five generations in the workplace. This lends to intergenerational dynamics in almost every aspect of work culture. What many may perceive as interpersonal differences and characteristics may well be intergenerational dynamics. This workshop explores generational timelines, characteristics, mindsets and value systems. We also explore communication preferences and the benefits of intergenerational collaborations and mentoring.
Are you Microaggressing Me Right Now?
Dec. 3, 2024 - Event Details
Microaggressions — What are they, and how do we address them? This workshop will help individuals understand microaggressions and how each of us might be engaging in microaggressive behavior with our friends, family members, peers and colleagues. Additionally, the workshop will address how to respond when you are the recipient of microaggressive behavior in your everyday interactions with others.
That’s My Name Don’t Wear it Out
Feb. 4, 2025 - Event Details
What’s in a name? Our names are a key component of our identities. Yet, in a multicultural society, many individuals may be forced into assimilation behavior, and all too often, that may include de-emphasizing and, in some cases, changing what can be perceived as ethnic names. This workshop shines a light on the pervasiveness of name-changing pressures in society and the importance of embracing our names and identities as a part of cultural healing and heritage reclamation.
What is Neurodiversity?
Feb. 18, 2025 - Event Details
Understanding Neurodiversity — Since the early 90s, there has been a steady increase in the prevalence of neurodiversity in children. Today, many of our students and employees are neurodivergent, with 1 in 4. However, very few workplaces address the importance of accommodating neurodiverse individuals in the workplace or classroom. This workshop will discuss techniques and best practices that can be used to make our offices and classrooms more inclusive for neurodiverse students and employees.
POV: I’m Differently Abled - Learn About Visible and Invisible Disabilities
Mar. 18, 2025 - Event Details
Disability awareness — 1 in 4 individuals in California have a disability, but over 80% of all disabilities are unseen. Most of us will work with someone with a disability and not know it. This workshop helps educate individuals on the different types of disabilities and offers strategies to be more inclusive toward individuals with disabilities.
Don’t Say That, That’s Not Cool - Inclusive Language
Mar. 25, 2025 - Event Details
Inclusive Language — Language is an ever-evolving process. As society evolves, so must our language, yet we are not always aware of how exclusive our language can be. This workshop explains how some of our terms can cause individuals to feel “othered.” It offers strategies on how to be more inclusive in the language choices we make on a daily basis.
Why should we do Inclusive Recruitment?
Apr. 23, 2025 - Event Details
Recruiting and retaining staff with DEI in mind — Recruitment and retention are two areas where companies are often challenged as it pertains to diversity. Existing research demonstrates how biased these processes can be. Yet, few employees and managers truly understand the depth of bias built into hiring and promotion practices, policies and procedures. This workshop explains the pervasiveness of bias in recruitment and retention practices and offers some strategies for reducing and eliminating bias in recruitment and retention practices.
So how does this Intersectionality thing Work Exactly?
Apr. 29, 2025 - Event Details
What’s all this hype about intersectionality? – As individuals, we all hold specific identities that shape how we see and are seen in the world. However, when we hold multiple identities, and in particular multiple marginalized identities, then the intersection of these identities affects not only how others see us but also how we are treated daily. This workshop helps participants to understand the unique challenges of navigating discrimination on several fronts. Intersectionality speaks to the complexity of navigating spaces not just as one marginalized identity such as race, gender or sexual orientation on its own, but in some instances, having to face discrimination for multiple marginalized identities.
What’s up with these Pronouns?
May 13, 2025 - Event Details
In this workshop, we discuss LGBTQ+IA terminology. In this workshop, we discuss LGBTQ+IA terminology and why it is important to allow individuals to self-identify. We explain the history of using pronouns and how terms have evolved. We also explain the overarching principles of inclusive language about the LGBTQ+IA community and discuss best practices regarding pronoun use.
Why are we Acknowledging the Land?
May 7, 2025 - Event Details
What is a land acknowledgment? Many organizations have a land acknowledgment, but individuals working for these organizations often do not truly understand it. This workshop helps participants understand the history of land acknowledgments, why we do them, what should be included in them and gives examples of how organizations can authentically engage with tribal communities.
Checked your privilege recently?
Jun. 11, 2025 - Event Details
This workshop defines privilege and addresses the different types of privilege that exist in society today.It helps participants understand their privilege and acknowledge how they benefit from that privilege. Lastly, it offers participants simple steps on how they can use their advantage to promote equitable outcomes for all employees
Updated: February 18, 2026