October

What your colleagues are learning at Microaggression Awareness training

Sessions offer faculty and staff a space to recognize their own behaviors, engage in impactful conversations and help change campus culture.

By Lindsey Coulter

October 4, 2018

What is the difference between a microaggression and bullying? How can bystanders effectively call attention to microaggressive behaviors? In what ways can Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty and staff engage students and colleagues more equitably?

Microaggression Awareness training, offered by the Center for Equity and Student Achievement, can help answer all these questions and more.

CESA has hosted two of the five scheduled trainings to great response. While trainings are based around a standard presentation that includes key learning outcomes, facilitators are able to remain agile and adapt the training to the needs and concerns of attendees.

Microaggressions happen often on the MSU Denver campus, and the faculty, staff and students who perpetuate them may never know that they’re doing it until they are given that awareness, said Brandi Scott, associate dean of Equity and Student Achievement.

“Even good people are socialized to have bias,” Scott said. ”It has been pretty eye-opening for folks to look deep and realize how they contribute to bias without even knowing it, but when you’re aware of microaggressions you can stop them.”

Eric Silva, TRIO Scholar advisor and Microaggression Awareness training facilitator, noted that participants engaged in rich dialogue related to their own identities, experiences and associations.

“Participants have taken on the challenge of being vulnerable and willing to reflect on their own mistakes and harm to help the group grow,” Silva said. “There have been lots of comments (from participants) about working within their individual spheres of influence.”

During a session facilitated by Myron Anderson, Ph.D., associate to the president for diversity, participants took time for self-reflection and discussed the value of the bystander and how all Roadrunners can assist in reducing microaggressions.

“This promotes deeper learning and the desire to influence change,” Anderson said.

For more information about the Microaggression Awareness initiative and training sessions, please contact Scott or Anderson.

Register for Microaggression Awareness Trainings

Oct. 10, noon-1:30 p.m., Administration Building, Room 360B

Nov. 9, 10-11:30 a.m., Student Success Building, Room 200

Dec. 17, 9-10:30 a.m., Central Classroom Building, Room 103