Education & Consultation

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion exists to help cultivate a vibrant learning and working environment for all members of our community. One important way we do this work is by offering training and consultation around a myriad of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice and belonging topics. We understand that creating inclusive environments is an ongoing process, and our team is ready to walk alongside you on your team’s educational journey. We provide learning opportunities to increase cultural competence, challenge the status quo, and create strategies to promote inclusive excellence and equity throughout our campus.

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Offerings

Our learning offerings strive to encourage understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion topics and making them real. Below are our current standard offerings. If you are unable to find what you need below, we are happy to consult about a customized learning opportunity. You can indicate which session you are requesting and/or your unique needs in our intake form.

Please note: If you would like to request multiple workshops, we ask you to submit a separate form for each request.

ADA compliance training will cover our compliance obligations as an institution. This can be tailored to the group. Possible topics include:

Is an accommodation reasonable?
How do I know if an animal is a service animal?
How do I make sure my events are accessible?
How do I make sure my materials are accessible?

Once a request is made for an ADA training, we will discuss more in depth what topics you would like covered.

This workshop utilizes inclusive design strategies to guide a team through the development (or re-imagining) of initiatives that enhance a sense of belonging or inclusion for students, faculty and/or staff. The Design for Belonging website offers open course offerings for which you can simply register through the website. Use this form to request a design workshop just for your team/unit/department.

Participants will be able to apply multiple specific design techniques to solve future problems creatively.
Participants will develop and articulate a new initiative they can implement to enhance belonging/inclusion among the target audience.
Participants will be able to apply evaluative strategies to make decisions.

This training is meant to help everyone understand different disabilities and learn what can be done to treat everyone with dignity and respect. This type of training challenges and reduces bias and explains the best practices and communication styles needed to create an inclusive environment. It can help eliminate ableist language and create a more welcoming environment for everyone.

This presentation tells the stories of the lives of lesser-known LGBTQ+ historical figures who defied heteronormativity. This is an interactive training that will consist of historical knowledge and participant engagement. Presenters will share multi-faceted mediums of information including music, historical documents, primary sources, video, pictures, etc.

Time commitment: 60 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the number of participants.

Learning outcomes:

- Participants will engage in dialogue around celebrating lesser-known LGBTQ+ historical figures.
- Participants will engage in dialogue around the importance of learning queer histories and thinking historically about the challenges and limitations that LGBTQ+ pioneers faced.
- Participants will be invited to think critically about what it means to "queer the future."
- Participants will be able to describe the verified contributions of at least 3 LGBTQ+ figures in history.

This training provides an introduction to bias incidents and the resources available for those impacted. We share the bias report form, BISS protocol, bias dashboard and other resources, and we provide an opportunity to reflect and practice bias response with a couple of examples. Our Stop the Hate page offers open course offerings for which you can simply register. Use the training request form to request a training workshop explicitly for your team/unit/department.

The University of Maryland requires all new faculty, staff and students to complete the TerrapinSTRONG course via ELMS-Canvas. However, the course is available in a live format for employees who do not have computer workstations. Supervisors and employees can register for the monthly open sessions through this linked form, as well as request offerings of the course in Spanish or Haitian Creole. Use this form to request a TerrapinSTRONG onboarding training in person for a specific group.

Participants will be able to articulate the importance of pronouns and inclusive trans-centered language.
Participants will be able to articulate 2-3 promising practices to foster inclusion on campus for trans and nonbinary people.
Participants will be able to describe the ways that students, faculty, and staff can update their name and pronouns in university systems.

Ongoing learning opportunities

Before you proceed, we’d like to make you aware of regularly occurring offerings you can register for immediately. These workshops do not require any advance consultation, and members of your team can simply register for these existing opportunities at any time:

More about the ODI units bringing you these learning opportunities

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion consists of seven unique departments all working toward our shared vision of an inclusive campus where everyone feels they belong and can succeed.

Our training request form is shared across multiple of our units so that we can connect you with the most relevant educators for your needs. If you would like to learn more about the offices represented, please explore the links below:

Learning opportunities from campus partners

Diversity, equity & inclusion is everyone’s work. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is fortunate to have many partners across campus also offering excellent learning opportunities. We encourage you to look here for opportunities with other campus experts. At times we may refer you to one of these programs if appropriate.

The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM) supports the university’s commitment to a working and learning environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. As such, they provide numerous trainings related to civil rights and sexual misconduct. Visit their Training & Events page to request a presentation or register for existing workshops and online trainings on topics such as:

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination
Accommodating People with Disabilities
Sexual Assault Prevention
Custom training request form available

The Teaching & Learning Transformation Center is the preeminent campus leader for best practices in teaching and learning. Explore offerings such as:

Trauma informed pedagogy
Cultural Humility
Anti-Racist Pedagogy Book Club
Queer Instructors Affinity Space
Universal Design for Learning Learning Community
Women of Color Affinity Group
TLTC Inclusive Pedagogy & Practice Certificate Program
And teaching consultation & feedback

The Do Good Institute delivers student-led and staff-led presentations and workshops. You can submit a request using the Do Good Institute Workshop or Presentation Request Form. Examples of their offerings include:

Terps Take Action: Students explore broad strategies for taking action (give, serve, speak, innovate, learn) and discuss their personal experiences with these strategies.
Social Change Wheel: Students explore more specific methods of social change (service, protest, fundraising, mutual aid) and analyze their strengths, their challenges, and their applications.
Changemaker Roles: Students understand and reflect on different models and frameworks for understanding themselves as a changemakers and citizens.
Issue Mapping: Students identify and brainstorm social issues of public or personal concern (usually in preparation for selecting a topic for a course project).