By Jennifer Howard and Lisa Swearingen
Development Board, last month hosted a training seminar for faculty called “Race: It Does Not Have to be a Four Letter Word.”
Conducting the workshop was Dr. Altheria Gaston, the Philosophy and Education Department Chair at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. Her interactive seminar asks each individual if they are sensitive to the racial implications that are perceived by students of color or different nationalities in higher education.
In other words, how do faculty relate to diversity in their classrooms and, vice-versa, how do students of color view their professors.
The workshop’s purpose was to show Daytona State College staff how to create and encourage open conversations about diversity in the classroom and balance that with the realities of the subject matter.
“A college’s ability to respect the social, racial and economic barriers with the use of multicultural material in class is necessary”, said Dr. Gaston. Without it, the topic being discussed may not reflect respect for inclusiveness. Can you learn from someone that you cannot relate to?
Yes, if the staff represents the demographic working in that field. At DSC the races of the faculty are roughly 50 percent of what the student demographic is. For example, 16 percent of the student body collectively is of Hispanic descent, whereas Latino instructors are only 8.6 percent. These numbers are consistent with the other ethnic backgrounds represented at the institution.
With respect to the faculty and staff that enrolled in the seminar, their opinions and feedback are confidential because it was a classroom training event. Professors Richard Kraskin and Richard Valero, who both teach in the English Department on the Deltona campus, were grateful for the offering.
“I think these kinds of workshops are necessary. It is a fact that every age and demographic are finding themselves in academia these days. With a bad economy and the need to reeducate our workforce, as educators we need to promote educational equality,” said Valero.
Sponsors of the seminar hope to revisit the topic and invite students next time.
“The only problem that we face is getting students and professors to talk openly and candidly about race and personal experience. Students fear repercussions and faculty try to maintain order and social justice in a classroom setting,” Dr. Duke said.
Dr. Gaston added, “I would be very interested in coming back and conducting another seminar with both students and faculty.”
Anyone interested in such a future workshop, contact Dr. Nancy Duke and 386-3000, ext. 3653.