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HSCommunity: Diversity Week

HSCommunity is a newsletter from the Health Sciences Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Subcommittee on Communications.

October 2022: Diversity Week

/ Court Side

Merriam-Webster defines curiosity as a desire to know; inquisitive interest in others’ concerns; and interest leading to inquiry. As I read this definition it is very clear why we have chosen curiosity as one of our core Mountaineer Values. I believe curiosity is the driving force for one’s DEI journey. In fact, those seeds planted by curiosity have often times been the foundation for the journey. It is important that we seek out information to better move through this world, but also understand the journey of others.

There are many ways in which you can explore your curiosity, but exploring it will only broaden your understanding and perspective. It is important to understand that no one can force you to go on this DEI journey, we can only plant the seeds of curiosity – you must water them!

As we move into October, Diversity Week will bring many watering opportunities across campus – a healthcare discussion panel, an opportunity to share your ideas, a multicultural festival and more! We encourage you to attend as many events as possible.

What does your watering schedule look like October 9-14?

LET’S GO!

/ Courtney Lanham, MSW
They/Them
Director of Diversity, WVU Health Sciences
Chancellor and Executive Dean's Office

/ Diversity Week

WVU’s annual Diversity Week, held this year October 9-14, endeavors to promote celebration, education and understanding of different identities and experiences present on our campuses.

The events below are presented by WVU Health Sciences units and are open to all WVU students, faculty and staff.

Monday, October 10 - Friday, October 14

  • State of Mind Art Exhibition; Pylons Commons; Presented by the School of Dentistry; Featuring artwork created during “Paint Your State ... of Mind” welcoming event for first-year students.

Monday, October 10

Tuesday, October 11

  • Microaggression in the Workplace; 1:30-2:30 p.m., Zoom; Presented by Rainbow Coats; Panel exploring microaggressions, including awareness and reduction.
  • Disability and Accommodations in Health Sciences Education; 4-5 p.m., HSC-North 1909; Presented by the School of Medicine; A panel of speakers from Occupational Therapy, Disability Studies and Accessibility Services will discuss approaches to disability and accommodations in health sciences education.

Wednesday, October 12

  • Multicultural Mini Festival; 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pylons Commons; Presented by the School of Dentistry; Celebrate and learn about different cultures with music, food, dance, art and more.
  • We’re All ‘Eers; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pylons Commons; Presented by the Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cross-cutting Committee; Share your ideas for DEI programming and pick up a free kindness sticker to spread positivity.
  • Muslim and African American Student Associations Tour and Panel Discussion; 4-5 p.m., HSC-North 1155; Presented by the School of Dentistry.
  • Screening of Crip Camp; 6-8 p.m., Gold Ballroom, Mountainlair; Presented by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Center for Excellence in Disabilities; This film provides critical perspective into the lived experiences of the early disability rights activists who played a monumental role in the formation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Thursday, October 13

  • We’re All ‘Eers; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pylons Commons; Presented by the Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cross-cutting Committee; Share your ideas for DEI programming and pick up a free kindness sticker to spread positivity.
  • Racial Inequality in the Healthcare System; 12-1 p.m., HSC-North G17 and Zoom; Multi-disciplinary discussion panel highlighting the experiences within emergency care, maternal care and more that individuals of color face when accessing medical care. Lunch will be provided at the in-person event to those who register by Sunday, Oct. 9.
  • Access to LGBTQ Healthcare: Medical and Legal Perspectives; 12-1 p.m., Zoom; Presented by Rainbow Coats; A panel collaboration between health care providers and legal experts, discussing access to LBGTQ and gender-affirming health care in West Virginia.
  • Music and Desserts from Around the World; 1-2:30 p.m., Erma Byrd Biomedical Research Center Ground Floor Lobby; Presented by the Health Sciences Office of Research and Graduate Education; Learn about different countries and cultures by listening to music and tasting desserts from around the world.
  • Meet and Greet: LGBTQ+ Allies, Grad Students and Faculty; 2-4 p.m., Pylons Commons; Presented by WVU Health Sciences and WVU LGBTQ+ Center; Make new friends, expand your network and develop mentoring relationships in a safe and welcoming environment.
  • Overcoming Challenges Associated with Rural Nursing in Zimbabwe; 4-5 p.m., Zoom; Presented by the School of Nursing; Learn about the techniques that healthcare providers utilize in Zimbabwe and their carryover to rural communities in Appalachia.
  • Muslim and African American Student Associations Tour and Panel Discussion; 4-5 p.m., HSC-North 1155; Presented by the School of Dentistry.

Friday, October 14

  • Multicultural Mini Festival; 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pylons Commons; Presented by the School of Dentistry; Celebrate and learn about different cultures with music, food, dance, art and more.
  • LGBTQ+ Luncheon; 1-2:30 p.m., HSC-North 3005; Presented by Rainbow Coats; Luncheon for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff to mingle, network, and have a good time.

For a full schedule of Diversity Week events, visit the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website.

/ Upcoming Events

Haiti Film Festival
Bringing stories from Haiti to WVU, the Center for Black Culture and Research and Reed College of Media film festival continues Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater with Mario L. Delatour's "Storming of Papa Doc." Learn more.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Focus Group
Staff and faculty affiliated with cross-cutting programs at WVU Health Sciences (includes all institutes, programs or offices that serve all Health Sciences schools) are invited to participate in a focus group to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The session will be hosted by Courtney Lanham on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Learn more.

Game Night
Join the LGBTQ+ Center for a variety of board games and card games Thursday, Oct. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Maple House. Learn more.

Rainbow Students Unite: Brunch
Join the LGBTQ+ Center to discuss building community and alternatives to substance use on Friday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maple House. Learn more.

Bus Trip to Warhol Museum
Join the LGBTQ+ Center on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a trip to the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. The museum tells Warhol's story and explores his legacy through the largest collection of his art and archives in the world. Learn more.

Spilling the Tea: Coming Out
The LGBTQ+ Center will host a support session for students about the coming out process on Monday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Maple House. Learn more.

National Coming Out Day Open Mic Night
Pizza, snacks and refreshments will be provided during Open Mic Night on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the LGBTQ+ Center. Learn more.

Silent Witness Exhibit and Resource Expo
Presented by the Women's Resource center, this exhibit honoring those who have been murdered by acts of domestic violence will be on display Tuesday, Oct. 16 through Friday, Oct. 21 in the Mountainlair Vandalia Lounge. The Resource Expo will take place Thursday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

Peer Learning Communities for New Colleagues
The Women’s Resource Center offers this program for new (0-3 years) faculty and staff to build relationships, network and quickly integrate into the fabric of WVU. The next gathering will take place Thursday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. at Terra Café. Register online.

Fall Foliage Hike
The WVU community is invited to join the LGBTQ+ Center for a hike from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Register to attend.

Embracing and Actualizing DEI
WVCTSI's Females Advancing Clinical and Translational Sciences group will host a special presentation Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 2-3 p.m. in HSC-N 2940A about improving the recruitment process to increase diversity and developing a community of belonging. Register to attend.

The Great Migration and the Black Vote
Join Keneshia Grant, associate professor of political science at Howard University, for a talk on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. in the Mountainlair Shenandoah Room. Presented by the Africana Studies Program. Learn more.

Pumpkin Painting
Let out your inner spook through the creativity of carving fresh pumpkins. This event will occur during the LGBTQ+ Center's Friday Queer Brunch on Friday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

Period Cup Campaign and Panel Discussion
Presented by the Women's Resource Center, the annual period cup giveaway campaign provides students with a new menstrual product that is healthier and cleaner than tampons or pads. Giveaways will take place Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountainlair. A panel discussion will take place Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more.

Halloween Lip Sync and Costume Contest
Join the LGBTQ+ Center to discuss the importance of Halloween for queer folx, celebrate queer identity, encourage identity expression, increase confidence and self-esteem and managing performance anxiety. This event will take place Monday, Oct. 31 from 7-9 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater. Learn more.

I Heart Female Pleasure
Through humor, honesty and respect, this event welcomes all genders and orientations, and emphasizes an underlying message of sexual health and women’s empowerment. Sponsored by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Women’s Resource Center, LGBTQ+ Center and WellWVU, this event will take place Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Learn more.

In My Opinion: When Abortion Became Illegal
Join the Women's Resource Center and the Center for Women's and Gender Studies on Friday, Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. for an open, candid discussion on abortion and reproductive health in West Virginia. Learn more.

Support Groups
The Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services offers a variety of groups, including First Gen Student Group, Qmmunity and Asian American Pacific Islander Support. Groups give you contact with peers as well as a therapist in a safe and confidential environment. The groups meet once a week and vary in time. Learn more.

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