Every Spring Semester, we invite our UCF community to participate in a culturally-inspired DiversiTea event. This past semester, we had the opportunity to hear the expe-riences of Tiffany Greenis, Assistant Director of the Office of Student Involvement, and Delaine Priest, Associate Vice President of SDES, about their time in the African countries of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. Each ex-perienced Africa for a different reason and personal pur-pose. Tiffany went as a missions par-ticipant, while De-laine went as a tour participant. Each re-turned home with an enriched experience, full of education, culture, and impactful memories. Thank you to our wonderful presenters, from OSI and SDES, for sharing their journeys, and for providing our attendees

with a great con-versation topic. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Career Services for providing and accommodating space for our au-

dience. A thank you also goes to our partners at the UCF Region-al Campuses, for making the pre-sentation avail-able online. If you would like to view this and previous DiversiTea events online, please visit our web-site and click on Events.

Unity StarThis has been a truly

exciting year for the Office of Diversity

Initiatives. We have contin-ued to provide outstand-ing training opportunities, memorable Diversity Week activities, and numerous other excellent programs and services. The Office of Diversity Initiatives has contributed to UCF receiv-ing national prestigious awards for diversity and inclusion—most notably, the Higher Education Ex-cellence in Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity Magazine and the Institu-tional Diversity Excellence Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Educa-tion. As we develop plans for 2013-14, and as I pre-pare to retire, it is only fitting that I pause and reflect on the many op-portunities and challenges we faced as well as the many accomplishments we realized. Our small staff is committed to and has worked tirelessly to help UCF achieve the strategic goal of becoming more inclu-sive and diverse. And, there are myriads of colleagues, partners, and friends, both on campus

and throughout the region, who have contributed their time and talents to making UCF a diverse, vibrant and welcoming organization. No words can convey my sincere gratitude to all of you. Just know that I wish you well and will cherish memories of my tenure as the founding director of the UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives.

Newsletter

Summer 2013

DiversiTea Springs Again

Top: Some artifacts from Kenya, presented by Delaine PriestMiddle: Tiffany Greenis spoke about Uganda and EthiopiaBottom: Delaine Priest spoke about KenyaPhotos by Dayanara Hudson

Director’s Corner

Distribution: All Without OPS and F

Enhance Your Legal Awareness

ODI SpotlightBlack History Month at Rosen College Motivates Student Leadership

In the past year, Student Legal Services (SLS) started an outreach program to help educate students and the UCF community about their legal rights. A number of publications and programs have been designed to educate students about common consumer, landlord-tenant and criminal issues and more. We have been fortunate enough to pair with campus partners to host such events as a “Criminal Roundtable,” “When Renting Goes Wrong,” and “LGBTQ Discrimination: Legal? Maybe!”

For the 2013-14 year, SLS’s goal is to continue to partner with offices and organizations across UCF to design materials and programs to enhance students’ awareness of possible legal pitfalls, and to increase familiarity with their legal rights and duties.

SLS provides free legal services to enrolled students on a variety of issues, including landlord-tenant, consumer, traffic, and most criminal. For more information about our services and events, please visit our website at sls.sdes.ucf.edu or like UCFLegalServices on Facebook.

During the Summer Semester, Ms. Owen will be a guest facilitator in a three-part series for ODI, titled: Discrimination and the Law. A first time offering, we look forward to welcoming Ms. Owen as she shares her knowledge, and provides legal insights in the areas of LGBTQ Discrimination, Disability Laws, and Race and the Law.

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For three years, I have been a proud LEGACY scholar and a member of The National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH). Coordinating the events at the Rosen Campus in honor of Black History Month was an aspiration that would mutually benefit my peers and me. We executed a variety of educational and social events, including an NSMH meeting where we hosted the owners of Cake in the City, a local black owned bakery, to speak on entrepreneurship and how to successfully obtain your future goals. Through both organizations, I am empowered to promote diversity within the UCF community. The LEGACY program has given me great mentors who are continuously supportive in my development as a leader, while NSMH

By: Daneen Johnson, 2012-2013 LEGACY Scholar By: Jamie Owen, UCF Legal Serives

Graphic Provided by Danneen Johnson

has allowed me the opportunity to apply the knowledge.

Daneen will soon be a proud member of the 2013 graduating class. She will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant and Foodservice Management this May. Congratulations Daneen.

LEP 2013 Leadership InstituteBy: Heather Simeon, Coordinator, Budgeting, 2012-2013 LEP Member

On March 14, over 200 people attended the 2013 Leadership Institute at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. “Leading Higher Education into the Future: UCF at 50” was the theme of the 2013 Leadership Institute. The Keynote speaker was UCF Trustee and alumna, Olga Calvet. She took the audience on a journey back to her childhood, her memories of coming to Orlando, and watching UCF and Orlando grow up alongside her. The sessions offered attendees opportunities to learn about various uses of technology in higher education in the future, how to use social media as a leadership tool, and other leadership topics that will inspire future UCF leaders.

Speaker, UCF Alumna Olga CalvetPhoto courtesy of Karen K. Monteleone ‘05Assistant Director, Outreach and EngagementCollege Relations, UCF Alumni Association2012-2013 LEP Member

The Leadership Enhancement Program is one of two mentoring program services provided by the Office of Diversity Initiatives. For informa-tion about eligibility, and how you can benefit from the LEP program, please visit our website, and click on Mentoring.

ABCs OF DIVERSITY (DIV008)Wednesday, May 22, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

ALLIES ADVANCE (DIV033) During the time of production of this publication, the dates for Allies had yet to be confirmed. Please contact Stephanie Preston with the UCF Counseling Center for more information about upcoming workshops.

BARNGA (DIV077)Tuesday, July 30, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: OD&T Training RoomFacilitator: Patty Farris

CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCY (DIV136)Wednesday, May 29, 2013 1:00 – 3:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitators: Louis Preston, Aurora RealinFlorida Hospital Diversity and Inclusion

DISCRIMINATION AND THE LAW(Attend all three to receive completion certificate):PROGRAM 1 (DIV133)Tuesday, June 4, 2013 3:00 – 4:00 PMPROGRAM 2 (DIV134)Tuesday, June 11, 2013 3:00 – 4:00 PMPROGRAM 3 (DIV135)Tuesday, June 18, 2013 3:00 – 4:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Jamie Owen, Program Attorney for UCF Student Legal Services

DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE SERIES (Attend all four to receive completion certificate):MODULES 1 & 2 (DIV210)Tuesday, July 2, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMMODULES 3 & 4 (DIV211)Tuesday, July 9, 2013 1:00 – 5:00 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNICATION (DIV071)Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:30 – 4:30 PM Location: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - GLORY (DIV124)Thursday, July 25, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - PEOPLE LIKE US: SOCIAL CLASS IN AMERICA (DIV049)Thursday, July 11, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

PEACE FILM SERIES - THE PURITY MYTH: THE VIRGINITY MOVEMENT’S WAR AGAINST WOMEN (DIV120) Thursday, May 23, 2013 9:30 – 11:30 AM Location: UCF Cocoa, Building 3, Rm 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

RACE-THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION (Attend all three to receive completion certificate):PART 1 (DIV130)Tuesday, June 11, 2013 9:30 – 11:30 AMPART 2 (DIV131)Monday, June 17, 2013 9:30 – 11:30 AMPART 3 (DIV132)Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:30 – 11:30 AMLocation: UCF Cocoa, Building 3, Rm 325Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

UNDERSTANDING POWER & PRIVILEGE (DIV016)

Thursday, August 1, 2013 1:30 – 4:30 PMLocation: Research Pavilion, Suite 169Facilitator: Barbara Thompson

Summer 2013 Workshop and Training ScheduleTO REGISTER: Online registration for Faculty and Staff ONLY at https://my.ucf.edu. Students or OPS, please e-mail your name, phone number, and PID/employee I.D. number to diverse@ucf.edu.

For detailed descriptions of the diversity workshops provided, visit www.diversity.ucf.edu. Other opportunities for diversity workshops may be scheduled by calling the Office of Diversity Initiatives at (407) 823-6479, or by e-mailing diverse@ucf.edu. All workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted.

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Thank you, I really appreciate it. When you came to speak to us, it was amazing because you inspired me to pursue my dreams and live up to my expectations. I am interested in Civil Engineering, and I have been trying to find, and contact successful engineers who could aid me in my quest for success in the engineering field. I learned that the best way to learn is to have a mentor to learn from, and possibly follow their path to success.

Thank you, you inspire me.George Pierre, Oak Ridge ‘14P.S. Hope we can stay in touch.

This message confirmed for me that perhaps everyone needs someone to emulate. Therefore, as scholars we should partake in the responsibility to lead a life worth emulating. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to our LEGACY Scholars, who shared their time and knowledge on this day, and strive to lead a life full of educational

and career successes outside of the LEGACY Program.

Consultations: An individual or group meeting to assist in planning diversity related programs, events, and activities. Consultations may occur face-to-face, by e-mail, or by telephone.

Presentations: We make presentations to classes, departments, organizations, student groups, and external organizations. Our presentations cover a variety of topics to meet specific needs.

Training: Selected topics in English and Spanish

Services

Diversity Includes All of Us - All the Time

12424 Research Parkway, Suite 169, Orlando, FL 32826Ph: (407) 823-6479 F: 407-823-6480

E: diverse@ucf.edu www.diversity.ucf.edu

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Diversity Initiatives Staff Valarie Greene King, Ph.D. Director

Katie Pomp Administrative Assistant

Dayanara HudsonProgram Assistant

Robert GlennStudent Assistant

Barbara Thompson Assistant Director

Carmen I. Afonso Executive Secretary

Zakiya McGhieLEGACY Coordinator

Judith Geneus Student Assistant

By: Zakiya McGhie

LEGACY Connect Mentoring Beyond UCFOne of the underlying goals of

the LEGACY Connect events is to help change the preconceived notion that minority students are less inclined to earn a college degree. For three years now, our UCF LEGACY Scholars have been reaching out to local high schools, in an attempt to motivate the minds of minority youth to pursue a college education beyond their high school experience, via LEGACY Connect.

This year, our LEGACY Connect event took place at Oak Ridge High School, in Southeast Orlando. Our four-student panel, and guest speaker, Mr. Perry West, Jr., former FBI agent and current logistics engineer led an hour-long discussion to an assembly of Oak Ridge Junior Students curious about life after high school. Mr. West, earned his FBI badge at the age of 22, and later transitioned into engineering when the opportunity allowed him to be closer to his family.

Our UCF LEGACY Scholars, and Mr. West, must have achieved the goal they set out for this day’s event, and inspired some of the students to think about pathways to their personal successes. It is evident in the following email that was sent to our speaker, who proceeded to forward it to me:

Keynote speaker: Mr. Perry West, Jr., former FBI agent and current logistics engineer. Photo Courtesy of Zakiya McGhie

Top: Attending Oak Ridge High School students Bottom: Participating LEGACY Scholars Photo courtesy of Zakiya McGhie