Higher Level is a training series designed to empower the Mountaineer Family to take ownership of the role each of us plays in promoting an inclusive campus culture.
Our inaugural five-part sequence addresses how to recognize the effects of implicit bias.
Session One gives an overview of implicit bias and demonstrates how even those with the best of intentions can allow inherent assumptions to cloud their judgement.
Session Two explores how societal norms unequally benefit or
disadvantage members of different social groups. Importantly, this session
acknowledges that all people hold and experience bias, but interrogates why
particular groups tend to be the recipients of bias more often and
consistently. This interactive discussion will explore both the obvious and
subtle ways norms have been created and are reinforced, and provide
recommendations for combating patterns of biased decision-making.
Later sessions will focus on how identity – specifically disability, race/ethnicity, and gender and LGBTQ+ identities – affects attempts to be fair and impartial. The remaining sessions will be made available in the coming weeks.
Participant Reviews:
"Absolutely phenomenal! Thank you for making me really think."
"I've been a professional for more than 20 years. This presentation got me thinking of who I am and what I appreciate."
"I liked how the presenter encouraged audience engagement and defined many terms through the seminar."