Inclusive Leadership Program

A program that encourages students to become better leaders

This program is provided by CSUF's Diversity Initiatives & Resources Centers (DIRC), and its goal is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The requirements for completion include attending DIRC workshops, allyship training, Student Leadership Institute workshops, and several written reflections. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inclusive Leadership Program (ILP) and all its components are being offered virtually this semester.

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Term: Spring 2021

Learning Domains:

• Leadership

• Social Justice and Advocacy

• Personal and Professional Development

Learning Outcomes:

• I will be able to identify at least 3 traits in my leadership skills that can create inequity or biases.

• I will be able to apply at least 2 concepts on inclusivity into real-world situations.

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Evidence

For the first learning outcome, I achieved an advanced level. I was fortunate to be able to attend every workshop offered by DIRC this semester, in addition to some allyship training. Therefore, I gained much knowledge and had many opportunities to reflect on my skills and habits as a leader. I was able to identify at least three habits that I have that can create inequity or unfair biases:

1. I learned that I am often assertive or direct in my conversations. Sometimes, I get frustrated with people who are not as direct as I am, and I may act rude. I realized that I should keep the assertiveness spectrum in mind when I work with others to avoid miscommunication issues.

2. I learned that I should ask people for their preferred pronouns rather than assume what they are. This is a significant takeaway from the LGBTQ+ allyship training.

3. I learned that I have much privilege. I often focus on the many challenges and struggles that my family and I have endured, so I do not consider myself to have privilege. It is important to remember my privilege when I work with others and constantly work to create an equitable climate whenever I have the power to do so.

For the second learning outcome, I achieved a competent level. I have been fortunate to become a Vice-President in the Classified Senate at Orange Coast College. When meeting with others, I have applied at least two concepts that I learned from the ILP.

1. Using tactics from the Empowering Others workshop, I have successfully persuaded colleagues and a classmate to take leadership roles within the classified senate.

2. I used aspects from the workshop about leading difficult conversations when speaking about the differences between privileged and white privilege with my white colleagues. In particular, the section that discussed debate versus dialogue and how to avoid confrontation in sensitive subjects.

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Reflection

The ILP is a relatively new program offered by DIRC, yet it is very effective and efficient in its workshops. Something that interested me from the program was that some of the workshops were hosted by Jimmy Nguyen, a classmate from the MSHE program. Knowing that someone from the cohort was involved with the program made it more welcoming and attainable.

As mentioned above, I participated in all five workshops offered by DIRC this semester, even though the requirement was for three. I also attended extra workshops for the allyship training and Student Leadership Institute. In essence, this semester, I pushed myself to take advantage of the personal and professional growth opportunities offered on campus. I did this because I believe that to be an effective and fair leader, I should learn about the various aspects of inclusivity. Every workshop that I attended provided a different frame that corresponded with equity, inclusivity, diversity, or personal growth.

Lastly, the program has increased my ability to fight for social justice and fairness by providing me with some vocabulary and concepts to have productive dialogue with others. Discussing issues that surround social justice are often politicized topics that cause people to become too emotional. As an employee at Orange Coast College, I feel that I have a responsibility to engage with co-workers and campus leaders to make positive changes at our campus.