2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty group to promote diversity, multiculturalism
Mindy Townsend
Issue date: 5/10/07 Section: Campus Life
In an effort to spotlight multiculturalism on the campus of Pittsburg State University, faculty and staff have come together to form the PSU chapter of the Tilford Group. Mark Johnson, professor in technology management, says the goal is to coordinate multicultural activities across campus and to help with those events.
The group, named for the former dean of the Graduate School at Wichita State University, has four main objectives: to help PSU students develop diversity and multicultural knowledge, develop global awareness and respect for different cultures, foster collaborative efforts among students, faculty, administration and staff in promoting cultural understanding and increase awareness of government, business and industry diversity practices and policies.
The Tilford Group is the outgrowth of the Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism. Pitt State's group will be modeled after the Kansas State University Tilford Group, which has been around since 1997. It is the longest running Tilford Group. Johnson says the time is right for a Tilford Group to be formed at PSU.
The Board of Regents president is currently encouraging more study-abroad trips, the university has expanded its international program and there are many diverse student groups on campus, including Hispanics of Today and the Chinese Culture Club.
"It seems like good things happen when things come together," said Johnson.
Johnson says that he hopes the Tilford structure will give groups promoting multiculturalism and diversity a stronger voice on campus. Instead of fragmented groups, he wants something solid. The PSU Tilford Group will be a clearinghouse for ideas on diversity issues and will work with student groups. He also hopes the group can help attract minorities to PSU. Johnson points out that PSU is in Southeast Kansas, but many different cultures can be experienced here.
Johnson says he and Ananda Jayawardhana, associate professor in mathematics, had discussed forming the group for about a month before the PSU Tilford Group's first meeting was held on April 27. At the meeting, Jayawardhana was elected as chair and Johnson was elected as vice-chair. The group consists of 26 faculty and staff from 14 departments. The group is meant for faculty and staff only, but Johnson says it intends to work closely with student groups.
The group's first meeting was primarily geared toward organization, but Johnson says he looks forward to helping become a force on campus.
"It's kind of like planting a seed," he said. "You continue to nurture it and hope it will continue to grow."
The group, named for the former dean of the Graduate School at Wichita State University, has four main objectives: to help PSU students develop diversity and multicultural knowledge, develop global awareness and respect for different cultures, foster collaborative efforts among students, faculty, administration and staff in promoting cultural understanding and increase awareness of government, business and industry diversity practices and policies.
The Tilford Group is the outgrowth of the Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism. Pitt State's group will be modeled after the Kansas State University Tilford Group, which has been around since 1997. It is the longest running Tilford Group. Johnson says the time is right for a Tilford Group to be formed at PSU.
The Board of Regents president is currently encouraging more study-abroad trips, the university has expanded its international program and there are many diverse student groups on campus, including Hispanics of Today and the Chinese Culture Club.
"It seems like good things happen when things come together," said Johnson.
Johnson says that he hopes the Tilford structure will give groups promoting multiculturalism and diversity a stronger voice on campus. Instead of fragmented groups, he wants something solid. The PSU Tilford Group will be a clearinghouse for ideas on diversity issues and will work with student groups. He also hopes the group can help attract minorities to PSU. Johnson points out that PSU is in Southeast Kansas, but many different cultures can be experienced here.
Johnson says he and Ananda Jayawardhana, associate professor in mathematics, had discussed forming the group for about a month before the PSU Tilford Group's first meeting was held on April 27. At the meeting, Jayawardhana was elected as chair and Johnson was elected as vice-chair. The group consists of 26 faculty and staff from 14 departments. The group is meant for faculty and staff only, but Johnson says it intends to work closely with student groups.
The group's first meeting was primarily geared toward organization, but Johnson says he looks forward to helping become a force on campus.
"It's kind of like planting a seed," he said. "You continue to nurture it and hope it will continue to grow."
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