Inspiring Learning Award 2021-22 Recipient
Ramon Zabriskie, PhD
"Dr. Z truly walked the walk and didn't just talk the talk of diversity, equity, and inclusion. He taught us how to empathize with everyone we are designing any given experience for."
"He is loving, compassionate and has helped me see how I can be empathetic to every single one of God's children by listening to their stories, understanding everyone is different, and how it all ties in to being a disciple of Jesus Christ."
This course (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in EXDM) was intentionally designed to be a transformative experience/journey over the semester in which students: 1) help create and foster a safe space and place where all can be open, authentic, and vulnerable; 2) participate in experiential learning experiences both in and out of the classroom throughout the semester; 3) study, experience, and apply/integrate in their lives concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, & belonging (DEIB), gospel foundations for DEIB, unconscious bias, privilege, intersectionality, inclusive experience design, and how a large global organization applies such in all aspects of their business; 4) study current issues and have personal vulnerable experiences with each other and others in a variety of traditionally marginalized groups including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and those from different cultures; and 5) have an opportunity to apply new skills, knowledge, and perspectives to address DEIB in professional cases or in current contexts here on campus.
1) Design meaningful/relevant learning experiences both in and out of the classroom and participate with them. 2) Facilitate significant discussion in class and model empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability. 3) Give students opportunities to work together, apply concepts and make personal goals, share related personal experiences, and lead group discussions on how to progress from there.
Being genuine, being willing to listen with empathy, being committed to creating student experiences that lead to wonder, new awareness, and the desire learn, change, and become.
It’s always worth it to the one… the rest is gravy!