1:00 � 1:30pm � Welcome & Introductions

 

1:30 � 2:45pm � Understand Bias & Discussing Sensitive Topics

The topics of race, educational history, and financial status are complex and present challenges for professionals and students throughout the education abroad process. This session will explore how bias and preconceived notions impact advising. Examples and recommendations will help professionals gain confidence in working with students whose life experiences may be very different from their own.  This session will also evaluate how preconceived notions can impact how these students view study abroad, their host country and host population.

 

Advising diverse and underrepresented students frequently places professionals in a position where they will need to discuss sensitive topics such as racism, discrimination, and bias. This session will provide an opportunity to practice these conversations and gain comfort in discussing these types of �taboo� topics.

 

2:45 � 3:00pm � Break

 

3:00 � 4:15pm � Diversity Advising: From Inquiry to Pre-Departure

As our student population becomes more diverse, the students who we advise for education abroad will as well. This session examines the nuances of advising diverse and underrepresented students during the following stages of the education abroad process: Initial Inquiry, Program Research, Application and Pre-departure Preparation.

 

4:15 � 5:00pm � Debrief & Closing Remarks

  

5:30 � 7:30pm � Networking Receptions

Kenya Casey

Kenya Casey is the Assistant Director for the Center for International Programs Abroad. Kenya advises for more than 20 programs, supervises CIPA's peer advisors, serves as the liaison for external scholarships and is the coordinator of the Minority Outreach Initiative. She has worked in international education since 2004 and has presented on a wide-range of topics, including: US Student Visas, Advising Students of Color, and Team-Building. She is the co-author (with Mary Dando) of the NAFSA publication "Student Visas: What you Need to Know Before You Go!" She has had experience living, studying and working in Africa and the Caribbean. Kenya is also a recipient and participant the Fulbright Korea International Educators Administration program. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and her Masters degree in social work from Howard University.

Magnolia E. Hernandez

Magnolia Hernandez is Director of the Office of Study Abroad at Florida International University, where she also serves as a member of the University's Global Learning for Global Citizenship QEP Implementation Team. A three-time study abroad participant, Magnolia's primary interest in the field is on making study abroad accessible to students of diverse backgrounds with a focus on student preparation for national competitive scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Magnolia began her career in study abroad at Miami Dade College, where she served as an active participating member of the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS). She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Writing from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.

University of Colorado Denver

Sponsored by STA Travel, the Meeting the Challenge - Advising Diverse & Underrepresented Students workshop is free of charge for professionals from Diversity Network Member institutions/organizations.

Registration for non-members is $200 through February 20, 2012 and $250 after.

Space is limited. Register today!