Concurrent Breakout Session 2

12:55 - 1:45 p.m.

Walk in Her Shoes: Living with Domestic Violence - Doua Lor, Nicole Sengkhammee, Nenglee Vang, & Chamao Xiong at Sheboygan Safe Harbor

Walk in her shoes is an interactive, educational exercise that will allow you to gain powerful insight into the day-to-day life of Hmong women experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse in a male dominated family structure. Participants will be challenged to make real-life choices that determine a survivor’s fate. This session raises awareness of domestic violence and prepares participants to support survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse as they strive to reclaim their lives. Concepts: Domestic Violence, Patriarchy, Supporting Survivors

Linguistic Justice: One Step Closer to Freedom - Kirsten Moffler-Daykin, Manager of Learning Commons & Keri Grokowsky, Academic Intervention Instructor at Western Technical College

Is grammar racist? What do we mean when we use the term, “proper English”? Is the concept of standard English a social justice issue? Over the past year, we have grappled with these and other questions concerning the notion that there is one correct way to speak and write. Changing the way we discuss, teach, and evaluate writing may better serve all students. Can faculty and support staff promote a more liberating and authentic learning process when we free ourselves from the prison of “standard” English?

Join us as we share our pursuit of Linguistic Justice and the inspirational student voices that are igniting systemic and cultural change in the Learning Commons at Western Technical College. Concepts: Teaching, Linguistic Justice, Code Switching, Cultural Resilience

Homelessness In Our Community: a Real Life Perspective - Abby Abbet, Director at Hope House in Manitowoc

In this informative session, Abby will focus on what homelessness and poverty look like within the local community and what resources are available to help those who are experiencing hardship. Abby will also talk about common misconceptions of homelessness and how the pandemic has created many barriers for those who are experiencing homelessness. Concepts: Poverty, Homelessness

The Intersection of Mental Health & Diversity - Donna Firman, Board President of Prevent Suicide Manitowoc County

As companies continue to navigate their DEI strategies, they must approach their strategies with greater nuance, understanding, and intentionality. The prevalence and experience of mental health and stigma differ across identities and communities. In this workshop we will explore how these experiences are impacted beyond employer provider mental health benefit packages, and really delve into how DEI manifests itself in employee mental health and how to improve conditions that create true mental wellness. Concepts: Mental Health, Suicide Awareness, Inclusion in the Workplace

Modern Jungles: Hmong Americans Navigating the American Landscape - Pao Lor, Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

In this interactive session, Pao will use a Q & A format to converse with participants about the transformation of an ancient culture, the Hmong American experience. Participants are welcome to ask questions about weddings, cultural assimilation, education, generational shifts, transformation of the Hmong identity, transnational Hmong experiences, achievements, challenges, and how to support Hmong American students. The aim of the session is to have a candid and purposeful dialogue about the nuances and subtleties of the Hmong American experience to inform and advance our understanding of ourselves and our world. Concepts: Refugees, Hmong-American Experience

Universal Design as a Framework for Equity and Inclusion - Matt Spindler, Instructional Designer & Bob Van Schyndel, Talent Development Consultant at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Designing programs, practices, and structures to meet the varied life-experiences of our communities can be overwhelming without a framework. Universal Design and its kin, Targeted Universalism, are promising frameworks that work to reveal hidden or biased designs and guide users toward the implementation of more inclusive structures. This session will focus on the foundations of both Universal Design and Targeted Universalism and will include interactive components to challenge participants to apply the frameworks to their work in the classroom or community. Concepts: Universal Design, Universalism, Hidden Bias, Equity & Inclusion

Fat Is Not a Four-Letter Word… But Diet Is! - Christine Smith, Associate Professor of Psychology and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

We are bombarded with messages about how fat we are getting and how unhealthy it is to be “obese.” Yet 95% of diets fail and many people are fat and fit or thin and unfit. Do we really care about health, or is it a justification for our attractiveness biases? In this talk I will discuss fat stigma, body positivity, and health at every size. Concepts: Body size, Health, Bias, Fat Stigma

Navigating the System: Advantages and Barriers to Refugee Integration - Hasnah Hussin, Refugee Education Developer & Claire Reuning, Refugee Integration Specialist at Catholic Charities Milwaukee

Refugee families bring a wealth of knowledge and skills with them when they come to the United States along with an intense drive to do their best for their children as they integrate into American life. Often though, refugees need assistance translating what they know from their home country to the US context so that all members of the family thrive. Concepts: Refugee Experience , Barriers in Education, Barriers in Healthcare, Strengths-based Approach

Speed Hating - Leslie Laster, Associate Director for Diversity & Inclusion at Moraine Park Technical College

This interactive session will discuss biases and stereotypes, and how they can have a negative impact on communication in the workplace. Concepts: Microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue