Institute Small Group 2 Responses

Each NASPA Multicultural Institute Small Group was asked during their final session to answer the questions, "What kinds of adaptations (personally and professionally) do we need to make to reflect an understanding of cultural diversity? What are some concrete steps you can take to make these adaptations?"

· Lifelong learner. Not an expert because of sessions/conferences.
· Awareness of skills.
· Adapting to campus and identifying your audience.
· Clear learning.
· Professional needs to be educated before educating students.
· Defining terms (social justice, diversity, multiculturalism)
· Knowing when to move from multiculturalism to social justice.
· When terms changes. Knowing how and why they changed. Moving from old to new.
· Having common vocabulary.
· What is the transition from term to term?

Training
· Make sure you are comfortable.
· Be a lifelong learner (always take in new information).
· Know your limitations.
· Familiarity with your audience.
· Name clear learning outcomes.
· Make sure you actually make learning outcomes and understand the topic.
· Know the needs of your intended audience.

Having Common Vocabulary
· We need to understand our institutions definitions of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice. If not we can create a host environment for our students.
· The mission statement of the office is very important.
· Changing names of offices may need to happen when there is a shift in the institution’s culture.
· NASPA should clearly define these terms.
· Don’t get lazy with perceived progress.
· Collaboration is important (i.e. multicultural affairs with student activities)