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