and Inclusion

Farewell to Kallan Picha, International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion

November 13, 2020

Please join the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion (OIEDI) in wishing Kallan Picha a fond farewell as she leaves UP to accept a position with one of the longest-serving study abroad organizations in the United States, Semester at Sea. Since Kallan joined the University in the summer of 2019 she has brought her considerable experience, enthusiasm, and student-focused approach to her role as Director of Studies Abroad. Since then, she has revitalized the study abroad application process, introduced new mechanisms for short-term study abroad programs, and developed collaborative relationships throughout the UP community.

Kallan has led our study abroad students through the COVID-19 pandemic with care and professionalism. Beyond her emergency triage and evacuation, she communicated with concerned parents at the time of evacuation and worked closely and professionally with colleagues abroad and on campus to navigate the repercussions of our cancelled study abroad programs. Most recently, she also served in the Shepard Academic Resources Center overseeing the first-year workshops. We will miss working with Kallan, but our diminished spirits will be buoyed knowing that the move will be a good one for her. Gute Reise Kallan!

For more information contact Eduardo Contreras, international education, diversity, and inclusion, at contrera@up.edu.

International Education Week: Nov. 16-20

November 13, 2020

The U.S. State Department’s International Education Week (IEW) is November 16-20 and will be hosted by the University of Portland International Club, according to Rebecca Seibert, international education, diversity, and inclusion.

The slogan for this year’s International Education Week is “Alone Together.” We want to emphasize that even though we cannot be together in person, we are still all here for each other. Participants will be able to connect with others through these events and celebrate and learn about various cultures around the world, an essential step as we work to advocate for the BIPOC community and for diversity. We hope that you will enjoy our educational and recreational cultural events.

Please use this link to view and join the week’s activities.

Community Conversations With International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion

October 2, 2020

The Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion is excited to invite the University community to join us on Thursday, October 29^, in our second Community Conversations session. We will again engage in meaningful peer-to-peer conversations about race. We will host conversations on two separate works—Option A is a great conversation for those learning to understand racism in themselves and the world around them. Option B is good for those who have spent a good deal of time engaging in anti-racist conversations and actions and/or are members of our BIPOC community.

Option A: How to be an antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi or Video Overview (Pair with this short video, The Urgency of Intersectionality from Kimberlé Crenshaw)
Option B: Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper or Video Overview (Pair with this short video The Urgency of Intersectionality from Kimberlé Crenshaw). Available via the public library; can be downloaded using your library card using the libby app. Email oiedi@up.edu for assistance if you are having difficulty gaining access to Dr. Cooper’s book.

Each option will be offered at both noon to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to to 5:30 p.m. on October 29, 2020.

RSVP to these conversations by Tuesday, October 27, so that we can assign you to a group.

We are also seeking facilitators for these discussions. Facilitators are not trainers. These are peer-to-peer conversations. We are looking for folks who are comfortable helping manage conversation flow and reminding the group of community standards if appropriate. Structure and discussion questions are available here. Facilitators are invited for a check-in at 11 a.m. on the just before the October 29 conversations and a debriefing on Friday, October 30, at 1 p.m.

Email oiedi@up.edu with questions, comments, or accommodation requests and check this link for updates. Finally, don’t forget to RSVP here!

Meaningful Peer-to-Peer Conversations About Race: July 30

July 17, 2020

The Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion is excited to invite faculty and staff to join us on Thursday, July 30 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. as we engage in meaningful peer-to-peer conversations about race. We will host three conversations for you to choose from on the following works, please read or watch one of the materials below in preparation for the conversations:

Group 1) So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo or Video Overview
Group 2) White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo or Video Overview
Group 3) A conversation on talking to kids about race: Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum or Video Overview

You will need to RSVP to these conversations Monday, July 27 so that we can assign you to a group.

We are also seeking facilitators for these discussions. Facilitators are not trainers. These are peer-to-peer conversations. We are looking for facilitators who are comfortable helping manage conversation flow and reminding the group of community standards if appropriate. Structure and discussion questions are available here.

If you have a discussion or affinity group already established or would like to have a conversation as an office unit, please share with us what you are doing and let us know if you would like us to help you invite others or if we can help with logistics.

Email oiedi@up.edu with questions, comments, or accommodation requests and check this link for updates. Finally, don’t forget to RSVP here.

“Hold Fast to Love and Justice” with Bernadette Farrell, March 21

March 6, 2020

Mark your calendars for a special Lenten concert with renowned liturgical composer Bernadette Farrell entitled, “Hold Fast to Love and Justice,” on Saturday March 21, at 7 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The concert features music focused on social justice, as well as beloved favorites such as “Christ, Be Our Light.” The event is free and open to all, with a reception to follow. Sponsored by the Garaventa Center, Campus Ministry, the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Oregon Catholic Press. For ADA accommodations or more information contact the Garaventa Center at up.edu/garaventa or x7702.

Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion Announced

June 29, 2018

Effective July 1, 2018, a new academic unit, the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion, will be created that will include the following functions and personnel:

Director of Equity and Inclusion: To Be Announced
Director of International Students: Michael Pelley
Director of Studies Abroad: Eduardo Contreras
The Collaborative for International Studies and Global Outreach (CISGO)

Offering support to the director of equity and inclusion will be Yuri Hernandez Osorio, coordinator for diversity and inclusion programs in the Office of Student Activities.

Based on Tactic D 1.1 of the University’s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan (“Create a position to lead and support existing campus-wide international and intercultural endeavors, and to expand opportunities”), Eduardo Contreras will assume responsibility for this unit as assistant provost. The unit will be housed in Buckley Center and it will include a space where students can gather in a supportive environment that embodies the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.

For more information contact the president’s office at x7101 or simek@up.edu.