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Diversity and Equity

The University Policy Statement 100.007 on Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Social Justice at CSUF defines diversity as “all the different characteristics that make an individual or group different”. This includes (but is not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, SES, age, national origin, religion, ability status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language, immigration status, veteran status, and physical appearance.

Read more about CSUF’s Guiding Principles for Social Justice here.

The Child and Adolescent Studies Department is committed to advancing diversity and equity via enhancements to our curriculum and pedagogical approaches, as well as by engaging in professional development practices. Below we highlight the ongoing work in our department to honor this commitment, describe various CSUF professional development opportunities related to diversity and equity, and provide links to additional key resources.

 

Please see here for a calendar of significant cultural, religious, and secular holidays. 

CAS DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL COMPETENCE CURRICULUM INITIATIVE

Since the formation of the Diversity in Development committee in 2014, CAS faculty have engaged in setting an agenda for improving instructional efforts specific to the role of diversity-related factors across development. Our department-wide approach to promoting cultural competency among CAS students included a systemic approach with five key steps:

  1. Assess existing curricular practices among faculty and prioritize departmental efforts to improve students’ knowledge of cultural competency
  2. Develop a Cultural Competence Framework for child and adolescent studies
  3. Implement systematic changes across the CAS curriculum
  4. Assess relevant Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)
  5. Provide professional development to faculty

The initiative resulted in several concrete advances, including the addition and assessment of a student learning objective (SLO) that specifies students “identify and describe key components of cultural competence.” Topics that were identified in the Cultural Competence Framework (e.g., immigration and acculturation, bias and stereotypes, privilege and inclusivity) are interwoven across various CAS courses. 

Members of the Diversity in Development Committee have been invited to share their expertise with the broader academic community by providing teaching demonstrations at department retreats, speaking at College and University events, and presenting their work at venues focusing on teaching and student success.

All CAS faculty are encouraged to visit and utilize the Cultural Competency Resources posted in our CAS Communities page in Canvas. Resources include video links, scientific articles, lecture slides, and sample assignments that faculty may incorporate into their own courses.

The CAS Cultural Competence Initiative is an ongoing, department-wide effort that continues to evolve.  For example, after developing the initial Cultural Competency Framework in 2016, the Committee revised it in 2023 for currency. Department activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion have expanded from curriculum to pedagogical practices, professional development, and the recruitment and support of faculty. Moreover, the Committee will next begin working on developing Frameworks related to other aspects of diversity in development (e.g., neurodiversity).

Read the CAS Department’s Cultural Competence Framework here. 

Current Diversity in Development Committee Members (2022-present): Dr. Guadalupe Espinoza (chair), Dr. Christa Greenfader, Dr. Janna Kim, Dr. Guadalupe Díaz Lara, Dr. Claudia G. Pineda and Dr. Sasha Zeedyk.

Founding Diversity in Development Committee Members (2014-2022): Dr. Guadalupe Espinoza (chair), Dr. Janna Kim, Dr. Claudia G. Pineda, and Dr. Ioakim Boutakidis.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY

The CSUF Inclusive Champion Certificate Program (ICCP) led by Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion provides campus-wide education and awareness regarding racial equity and justice. The ICCP is a certificate program available to the CSUF community with the goal of providing tools to become a ‘Champion of Inclusion’ on campus. The related courses focus on self-reflection, increase cultural competency and awareness and offer tangible application to participants. Some of the courses include: Emotional Intelligence in Cross-Cultural Interactions, Intersectionality and Undocu Ally Training.

More information: https://hr.fullerton.edu/diep/training-and-development/iccp/default.php 

The CSUF Faculty Development Center (FDC) provides programming to support the needs and growth of faculty and students. Workshops offer a place to connect, create and collaborate with colleagues. The Equity-Minded Teaching website has resources to implement empirically supported pedagogical and curricular practices. For example, there are two modules centered on Equitable Pedagogy.

More information: https://fdc.fullerton.edu/teaching/equity-minded-teaching.html

The FDC also offers workshop series that lead to a certificate, such as the IMPACT Teaching Certificate, and the INCLUSIVE certificate. The INCLUSIVE certificate focuses on helping faculty examine their beliefs about human diversity in all of its forms, deepen cultural competency in the classroom and workplace, and gain knowledge across the broad range of diversity issues.

More information: https://fdc.fullerton.edu/teaching/certificates-and-badges/inclusive.html

Faculty are encouraged to apply for teaching grants such as the Faculty Enhancement and Instructional Development Award (FEID). The goal of the FEID award is to support faculty in designing instructional improvement which leads to increased student success. Several CAS faculty have been awarded these grants with projects centered on diversity and equity. Below is a list of recent CAS Faculty FEID Grant Recipients: 

  • Guadalupe Diaz-Lara and Dr. Joyce Lin - Creating an Anti-racist Community: Redesigning Parenting in the 21st Century, A G.E. Course, with a Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Christa Greenfader - Migrant Lives: An Explore Core Course Redesign
  • Janna Kim and Dr. Natsuki Atagi - Supporting Faculty Instruction of Student Writing Using an Equity Lens
  • Guadalupe Espinoza - Discrimination, Prejudice, Inequities and Resilience in Childhood and Adolescence: A Video Series Featuring Scholars from Underrepresented Backgrounds

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AT CSUF

At CSUF’s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, students can find supports and services that may help them explore their identities, increase their feelings of belongingness at CSUF, and build a sense of community. They include programs and events, as well as affirming spaces such as the African American Resource Center, Asian Pacific American Resource Center, Latinx Community Resource Center, LGBT Queer Resource Center, Titan Dreamers Resource Center, and Women’s Resource Center.

More information: https://www.fullerton.edu/dirc/

CSUF’s Language Policy Ally program is designed to protect students’ language rights and promote linguistic diversity at the academic institution through education, outreach, and direct mentoring of students.

More information: https://english.fullerton.edu/writing_center/WC_Workshops1.aspx

Academic achievement can be difficult when students have physical health, mental health, or safety concerns. CSUF provides various resources and supportive services for students, including disability support services, Tuffy's basic needs (e.g., food pantry), student wellness, and counseling and psychological services. 

More information: https://www.fullerton.edu/sa/

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Various professional organizations provide useful resources that can further faculty’s learning about issues related to Diversity and Equity. Below are links for resources provided by the American Psychological Association (APA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Education Association (NEA), Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA), and the Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD).

APA: Inclusive Language Guide, Second Edition: https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines

APA: Racism and Discrimination Resources: https://www.apa.org/topics/racism-bias-discrimination

NAEYC: Equity Resources: https://www.naeyc.org/resources

NEA: Racial and Social Justice Resources: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/racial-social-justice

SRCD: Why Disclose Gender Pronouns: https://www.srcd.org/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion/why-disclose-gender-pronouns

SRCD: Hidden Figures in Developmental Science: https://www.srcd.org/professional-advancement/hidden-figures-developmental-science-series