Now more than ever, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion remains committed to providing CPTC with robust and timely professional development aligned with our values of access, collaboration, diversity, equity, excellence, inclusion, innovation, and respect. As an open-access college, we are committed to these values and being responsive to campus and national climate, especially when it has potential to impact the students we serve.
As an institution of public higher education in the state of Washington, we must also remain compliant with RCW 28B.10.145, which requires us to offer professional development directly related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
This All Faculty and Staff In-Service day is required for and limited to current CPTC employees. No classes will take place this day to maximize full participation from our staff, faculty, and administrative leadership community.
You are invited to explore the guiding frameworks used to inform our design of programs, professional development training, and additional continuous learning opportunities for our students, staff, and faculty.
All Faculty and Staff In-Service
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION DAY 2026:
BELONGING STARTS WITH US: CENTERING CARE THAT WORKS FOR THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
February 27, 2026
7:30 am - 3:30 pm
McGavick Conference Center
Agenda
7:30-8 A.M. Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8-8:30 A.M. Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30-9:30 A.M. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nina Moreno, Ph.D. (she/they), Senior Consultant, Seed Collaborative.
9:30-9:45 A.M. BREAK
9:45-10:45 A.M. Workshop Sessions*
10:45-11 A.M. BREAK
11 A.M.-12 P.M. Workshop Sessions*
12-1 P.M. Lunch
1-2 P.M. Workshop Sessions*
2-2:15 P.M. BREAK
2:15-3:15 P.M. Workshop Sessions*
3:15-3:30 P.M. Wrap-up and Door Prizes
* Workshop Sessions: Unlike years in the past, where you would move room to room for workshops, this year you will stay in the same room, with the same colleagues for the rest of the day. You will experience a total of 4 separate workshops with plenty of breaks for movement, snacks, and community building. Our presenters will move locations during the breaks, and each employee will be able to participate in all 4 workshops being offered.
Keynote Speaker:
Centering Care through Connection: The Everyday Practices of Belonging that Build Strong Communities – Dr. Nina Moreno, Ph.D., Seed Collaborative
We will explore the transformative framework of “belonging without othering” and its five essential elements- recognition, agency, inclusion, connection, and cocreation-as a foundation for building inclusive communities. We will examine how bridging serves as a critical pillar that connects us across differences while maintaining our distinct identities and experiences. Together, we will consider how to create communities of collective care where students, staff, and faculty can thrive, centering the needs and strengths of the communities we serve. This session invites us to reflect on our own roles in building bridges, and provides actionable approaches for fostering belonging that starts with us and extends to everyone in our educational community.
Workshop Sessions
Creating Space to Learn – Jae Kim and Dr. Elizabeth Maher, Ph.D., Arc of King County
This presentation provides a brief introduction to disability, the impact of ableism (a.k.a discrimination based on disability on educational systems), and legal protections for people with disabilities in the United States. We will discuss strategies for working with students to improve accessibility and provide everyone with a chance to learn. Participants will then have the opportunity to explore different scenarios that faculty and staff might encounter related to disability and brainstorm potential responses.
Feeling Like an Outsider: The Cost of Being Othered – Nicklaus (Klaus) McHendry and Evelyn Tuiaana, Department of Enterprise Services
This workshop is an overview of a module from the ‘A Path Towards Equity: Disrupting Structural Racism Through Awareness and Belonging’ series. This workshop will introduce the learners to the concept of othering. By examining the lived experience of an individual being othered, the course will explore origins of othering behavior, and the negative impacts othering has on all groups.
Meeting People Where They Are: Targeted Universalism as a Pathway to Campus Belonging – Dr. Nina Moreno, Ph.D., Seed Collaborative
This interactive workshop introduces targeted universalism, a belonging framework that pursues universal goals (like campus belonging) through strategies tailored to the specific needs of different students and groups. Rather than treating everyone as if they are the same and having the same experience, or creating separate silos, targeted universalism recognizes that achieving shared outcomes requires understanding and addressing the different life experiences faced by all campus communities. Through practical examples, participants will learn how to identify universal goals while developing targeted strategies that work for the specific communities they serve. We will explore how this approach moves us beyond one-size-fits-all solutions toward authentic belonging, starting with all of us.
The Washington State Human Rights Commission Overview – Agata Moges, J.D. and Riley Wessels, Washington State Human Rights Commission.
This presentation will focus on the law, mainly RCW 49.60, elements of illegal discrimination, the administrative complaint process, evidence and the burden of proof, and other related topics.
Review the key findings of the 2026 All Faculty & Staff In-Service Day here.
All Faculty and Staff In-Service
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION DAY 2025:
MEETING THE MOMENT AND MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM
February 28, 2025
7:30 am - 3:30 pm
McGavick Conference Center
Agenda
7:30-8 A.M. Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8-8:30 A.M. Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30-9:30 A.M. Our Unwavering Commitment to Serving our Communities: A Review of the Immigrant Rights and Non-Discrimination Policy
9:30-9:45 A.M. BREAK and Transition to Concurrent Workshops
9:45-10:45 Concurrent Track 1
Concurrent Track 1 Sessions: Deepening our EDI Skill Building
The Role of Bystander Intervention in Creating Communities of Belonging – Sophia Agtarap
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a form of bias and didn't know how to respond? Most folks have likely encountered bias and maybe didn't even know. As a community of people who are working together to create spaces of belonging and inclusion, what does it look, sound, and feel like to interrupt when we see instances of bias, racism, transphobia, sexism, and more, occur? What is the possibility of what can happen in that moment and beyond? We'll come together to understand language and practices that can help move each of us to intervene when we witness or experiences instances of bias in our communities.
Maintaining Momentum for EDI Work (For CPTC Presidents Executive Cabinet) – Megan Matthews
In order to further enhance our college's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), this workshop is a strategy session for Executive Cabinet. The team will address how to match Washington state's pro-DEI stance, how state institutions continue to maintain momentum around DEI in this time, and more.
Navigating Difficult Conversations – Sheli Sledge
Navigating difficult conversations can leave us feeling uncomfortable, vulnerable, and unprepared. Navigating difficult conversations during times of conflict in our teaching and working spaces can require many skills like, open communication, actively listening, managing our emotions, intentional empathy, self-awareness and respectful dialogue. This workshop is designed to introduce skills to help prepare for challenging conversations, manage conflict, improve communication, and work towards constructive conversations with an eye towards advocacy, mutual understanding, and equity
Mitigating Bias in Generative AI – Clover Park Technical College Teaching & Learning Center
This interactive workshop will equip faculty and staff with the knowledge and tools to identify, understand, and mitigate bias in generative AI systems. Participants will explore the ethical implications of AI bias, examine real-world case studies, and engage in hands-on activities to evaluate AI-generated content. The session will introduce practical strategies for integrating responsible AI use into the classroom, emphasizing critical thinking, fairness, and transparency. Participants will leave with actionable steps to help students navigate AI technology ethically and effectively.
Community, Identity & Coalition Building through Art – Eileen Jimenez
Collaborate with IndigiQueer artist Eileen Jimenez (Ñätho) to create artwork that reflects our experiences and relationships with Land, to joy, to resilience, to ourselves, and to our communities. During this workshop we will explore printmaking from pre-carved blocks, and watercolor to co-create art. During our time together we will also connect with each other, and reflect on what it means to coalition build and center our work in community and through art.
Critical Thinking and Managing Bias – Luke Ruiz
This workshop explores the importance of critical thinking and the management of bias in higher education. Participants will be introduced to key characteristics, strategies to enhance their analytical skills, work through real-life examples. Through interactive exercises and discussion, attendees will learn practical tools to recognize and mitigate these biases in both their own thinking and in the classroom or work environment at CPTC. This workshop empowers staff and faculty to approach institutional challenges with clarity, fairness, and intellectual rigor.
Empowering Veteran Students for a Brighter Future – Dee Ladson
Join us for an informative workshop designed to support student veterans in navigating campus resources, VA education benefits, and career opportunities. Learn about academic support, financial aid, and wellness services tailored to veterans. Connect with fellow student veterans and get answers to your questions from knowledgeable staff. Whether you're just starting your academic journey or planning your next steps, this workshop will provide valuable insights to help you succeed. Don't miss this opportunity to maximize your benefits and make the most of your college experience!
10:45-11 A.M. BREAK and Transition to Concurrent Workshops
11 A.M.-12 P.M. Concurrent Track 2
Concurrent Track 2 Sessions: Using Policy, Culturally Responsive Practices, and Procedures to Uphold a Community of Care
The Role of Bystander Intervention in Creating Communities of Belonging – Sophia Agtarap
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a form of bias and didn't know how to respond? Most folks have likely encountered bias and maybe didn't even know. As a community of people who are working together to create spaces of belonging and inclusion, what does it look, sound, and feel like to interrupt when we see instances of bias, racism, transphobia, sexism, and more, occur? What is the possibility of what can happen in that moment and beyond? We'll come together to understand language and practices that can help move each of us to intervene when we witness or experiences instances of bias in our communities.
Cultural Humility: The What and the How – Ashley Bennett
In this session we will cover what cultural humility is and the key principles/values attached to it. We will explore the difference between the term cultural competency versus cultural humility. We investigate how cultural humility enhances experiences and engagement in various arenas and discuss how to embed it in education and curriculum design.
We Won't Let Policies Erase People: Supporting and Advocating with our Trans and Non-Binary College Community – Dr. Tolulope Taiwo
This session will address federal and state policies that discuss gender-expansive identities and discuss ways we as practitioners can support and advocate with our trans and non-binary students, faculty, and staff on campus.
Honoring Disability Culture and Fulfilling Accessibility Access in Higher Education Spaces – Sarah Addington
Technology around accessibility has been evolving at a rapid rate along with an overall shift in the paradigm of disability culture. Higher education should explore the implementation and impact of current policies, at both the state and federal level, overall accessibility, as well as honoring the modern approach to disability culture within the community – "Nothing about us, without us". The goal is to utilize policy to support the success of students with disabilities, through equitable access to education via accessible accommodations.
Policy and Procedure Overview Regarding Concerning Behavior – James Neblett, AVP of HR&C, Dean Kelly, VP of Student Success
Broad overview of processes and procedures regarding reporting, investigation, and resolution of concerning behaviors to include: Better CPTC reporting, Student Conduct, BIT, and Harassment, Intimidation, Retaliation, and Bullying.
Supporting Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Students – United Way Of Pierce County
This session will discuss the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) model and present three programs that support this population—Growing Resilience In Tacoma (GRIT), Centers for Strong Families, and 211. Faculty and staff will then reflect on ways to support Clover Park ALICE students.
UndocuBasics: Snapshot of Undocumented Experience in Higher Education – Gabriela "Gaby" Osorio
This session will give participants a brief introduction to the experience of the undocumented immigrant community in post-secondary education. It covers some of the terminology and identities of the undocumented community. It will also provide a short timeline of the laws and policies impacting this community as it pertains to post-secondary education. (Please note that Gaby is also doing a "Part 2" to this session in the afternoon, and attending both sessions may make sense for deeper learning).
12-1 P.M. Lunch – Catered by Nola Cuisine
1-2 P.M. Concurrent Track 3
Concurrent Track 3 Sessions: Using Trauma-Informed Approaches to Nurturing a Community of CARE
The Role of Bystander Intervention in Creating Communities of Belonging – Sophia Agtarap
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a form of bias and didn't know how to respond? Most folks have likely encountered bias and maybe didn't even know. As a community of people who are working together to create spaces of belonging and inclusion, what does it look, sound, and feel like to interrupt when we see instances of bias, racism, transphobia, sexism, and more, occur? What is the possibility of what can happen in that moment and beyond? We'll come together to understand language and practices that can help move each of us to intervene when we witness or experiences instances of bias in our communities.
UndocuSeeds: Developing Safe Spaces – Gabriela "Gaby" Osorio
This session touches upon the various degrees of comfort the undocumented immigrant community experience when sharing their immigration status. A discussion of resources and supports will be introduced to begin viewing services for students through an undocumented lens. Participants will take away "seeds" that they can begin cultivating in their work.
Leading through Uncertainty – Tony McMath
Unlock the power of effective leadership in our session, "Leading Through Uncertainty." Guided by John Maxwell's principle that "leadership is influence," this session is designed for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills, whether you lead a team, manage projects, or simply aim to inspire those around you. We'll explore the nature of uncertainty, its emotional impact, and what individuals seek during challenging times. Through Maxwell's leadership insights and the DISC personality framework, you'll discover how to leverage your unique strengths, address weaknesses, and positively influence those around you. With practical examples and interactive discussions, you'll be equipped to navigate uncertainty with confidence and resilience, making a meaningful impact in any situation. Ready to turn challenges into opportunities? Join us and elevate your leadership journey!
The Culture Cycle: Building a Community of Care – Jovan McCoy
A thriving community doesn't happen by chance—it's intentionally built through shared values, trust, and consistent action. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the Culture Cycle, a framework that describes a recursive process where people create cultures, and then those cultures shape people's actions. Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to: Identify the key elements of a strong organizational or team culture, foster trust and respectful workplace culture for meaningful collaboration, and implement practical strategies to build a Community of Care that enhances engagement, resilience, and well-being. Whether you're a leader, educator, or team member, this session will equip you with the tools to cultivate a culture where people not only belong but thrive. Join us to transform your department into a space of support, growth, and lasting impact!
Imagine Otherwise: Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education Through Critical Creativity – Angelica Hambrick
Williams (2013) argued, "Too often, strategic thinking is constrained by a lack of creativity" (p. 214). Radical imagination and critical creativity are integral to addressing inequitable higher education outcomes. In this session, we will practice strategies to Imagine Otherwise, designed to innovate new tools and create new blueprints for change.
Managing Compassion Fatigue In The Face Of Collective Trauma– Nicole Hoyes Wilson
For many of us, the world feels uncertain and scary. As educators we are experiencing collective trauma with our students, colleagues, and ourselves. In this session we will learn how trauma impacts our physical bodies, emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Drawing from the work of Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and trauma stewardship, we will learn how to manage compassion fatigue and burn out in ourselves and others using radical self and collective care, and rest as resistance.
Equipping for Mental Health: A First-Aid Kit for Supporting Students in Crisis and Building Resilience -Carrie Van Beek & Rachael Butler
Equipping for Mental Health: A First-Aid Kit for Supporting Students in Crisis and Building Resilience" provides staff and faculty with the essential tools to effectively support students facing mental health crises. Participants will learn strategies to respond with empathy and understanding, while also gaining practical skills to help students build long-term mental health resilience. This interactive session covers crisis intervention techniques, communication strategies, and ways to foster a supportive environment that encourages students to seek help and develop coping skills.
Liberation and Rest Sound Bath - Tory Trujillo
Vibrational Sound has been used to support healing, rest, and transformation for eons. Understanding that Rest is resistance, rest is revolution, and rest is self and mutual care, participants are invited to rest during this workshop. Tory Trujillo will play Quarts Crystal Singing Bowls, A Mayan Ocean Drum, and will incorporate Vocal Toning. Participants are welcomed to sit or lie down comfortably and will be lead into the experience with guided breath work and an embodiment practice. There will be a closing circle to close the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring yoga mats, bolsters, blankets and other items comfort items.
2-2:15 P.M. BREAK and Transition Time
2:15-3 P.M. Large Group Activity - McGavick Conference Center
3-3:30 P.M. Closing, Remarks & Participation Door Prizes
Review the key findings of the 2025 All Faculty & Staff In-Service Day here.
All Faculty and Staff In-Service
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION DAY 2024:
REFLECTING ON CAMPUS CLIMATE, COMMUNITY, & BELONGING: WHY YOU JUST CAN'T SAY THE WORDS
March 1, 2024
7:30 am - 3:30 pm
McGavick Conference Center
Agenda
7-8 A.M. Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8-8:30 A.M. Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30-9 A.M. Sense of Belonging Team-Builder
Kevin Fong from the Kahakulei Institute
9-10 A.M. Campus Climate and Safety Results
Iesha Valencia and Michelle Hillesland
10-10:15 A.M. Break
10:15-11 A.M. Local Community Leader Panel
Moderator – Queen Sheba
Janice Lee
Leander Yazzie
Jordan Jones
11-11:50 A.M. Navigating Change through the Five Elements
Kevin Fong from the Kahakulei Institute
12-1 P.M. Lunch
1-1:30 P.M. CPTC Student Panel
1:30-1:40 P.M. Transition To Concurrent Workshops
1:40-3:00 P.M. Concurrent Workshops
Decentering Whiteness: The What? Why? And How?... Of White Accountability
Leading Sustainability As People Of Color
What Do I Do When Everything Goes Sideways? Microaggressions & Engaging In Tension
Ally To Accomplice (Safezones 101) -- CANCELED
Navigating A Multigenerational Workplace
Addressing Harassment Or Discrimination In The Classroom Environment
The Role Of Bystander Intervention In Creating Communities Of Belonging
Leading From The Center: Cultivating A Campus Where Everyone Belongs
Decisions Need To Be Made: How To Decide To Communicate Through Our Differences
3-3:10 P.M. Transition Back To Mcgavick Conference Center
3:10-3:30 P.M. Closing Remarks & Door Prizes
All Faculty and Staff In-Service
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION DAY 2023:
ENHANCING OUR IMPACT: BUILDING A RESPONSIVE CULTURE ROOTED IN IDENTITY, CARE, AND BELONGING
March 3, 2023
8 am - 3:30 pm
Virtual
Agenda
8-8:30 A.M. Faculty and Staff Community Check-In
Join us for an upbeat virtual check in process filled with music and community building. You will be invited to join us in a Zoom Background challenge where you will select from a set of customized Zoom backgrounds to use for the day that best describes your ‘why’ for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
8:30-9 A.M. Welcome and Acknowledgements
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is the proud sponsor of this year's Faculty and Staff In-Service Day. Together with key leaders among our campus community, we will open the day with important remarks.
9-9:45 A.M. Where I am From: Storytelling as a Community of Care Practice with Iesha Valencia
Where I am From is a storytelling activity that is in a poem format. This activity has been used for decades in classrooms across our country, student leadership institutes, and diversity trainings with people of all ages. While there is no true owner of the Where I am From activity, it has taken shape over the years as an activity to explore and share our cultural backgrounds, cultural values, and increase our understanding of cultural similarities and differences while fostering a greater sense of community. Using a poem template, you will be invited to write a Where I am From poem. You will also have an opportunity to share it with others in a small group.
10-10:50 A.M. Multiculturalism and MOSAIC Center with Luke Ruiz
This session will give a brief overview of the new Multicultural Office for Student Access Inclusion & Community (MOSAIC) Center and uplift the work that has been done in year one of its opening. Together, we will move into a dialogue about culture and unpack the complex understanding of culture through an interactive identity-based activity.
11 A.M. -12 P.M. Keynote Speaker | The EDI Upgrade: Strategies to Create More Equity and Belonging in our Current Context – Dr. Alejandro Covarrubias
Our current global, national, and local contexts require us, as educators, to adapt and change at a faster pace than ever before to meet the evolving needs of our students. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) provide a foundation for understanding those evolving needs, but how often do we update our approaches? This interactive keynote will invite the audience into reflection about their current EDI approaches and provide additional strategies to create more equity and access in our current moment.
1-1:45 P.M. Reflection and Practical Application for the EDI Upgrade
You will be guided through a worksheet that will prompt reflection and action planning for how you intend to apply what you learned from our keynote speaker. You will have an opportunity to share and learn new strategies from your peers in small group breakout spaces.
2-3:30 P.M. Concurrent Afternoon Workshops & Closing Reflection
See below for the concurrent tracks.
Track A: Staff
Staff Workshop 1: Robert Brown | Exploring Social Identity
Description: In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, sex, class, ability, citizenship, age, and religion. Facilitator will help participants explore the concept of social identity consciousness, and explore the ways in which students, faculty, and staff experience power, privilege and/or marginalization on campus and in society more broadly.
Staff Workshop 2: Jahmad Canley | Student Success Through the Lens of Equity
Description: This interactive workshop will provide information, tools and a framework to understanding the connection between equity, belonging, and student success. Participants will be exposed to the Both/And lens framework and how to apply it in their own practices and areas of focus in supporting student success.
Staff Workshop 3: Dr. Jonathan Brown | Decentering Whiteness: What? Why? How?
Description: The work of equity, diversity, and inclusion is important for everyone to participate in. One way that white people can contribute constructively to positive change is becoming aware of how white norms and culture dominates relationships, workspaces, and systems. This workshop is intended for white people who want to learn more about how they can start decentering whiteness: increasing one’s own awareness, acknowledging the seemingly invisible practices and values that white norms create and perpetuate, and becoming actively anti-racist by challenging white normative culture and rethinking our contributions to the status quo.
Track B: Faculty
Faculty Workshop 1: Dr. Paige Gardner | Utilizing an Intersectional Mindset to Build Inclusive Learning Environments
Description: In this session, faculty and staff will explore the importance of developing and utilizing an intersectional mindset when working with students inside and outside of the classroom. Together, we will familiarize (or re-familiarize) ourselves with intersectionality as a theoretical framework to examine the ways our social identities are interconnected and create overlapping systems of power, privilege, and marginalization. Building upon this foundational knowledge, participants will engage in activities that spark critical reflection, build critical consciousness and empower educators to use critical pedagogy as transformative tools. This workshop will be structured in a responsive framework that allows time for open discussion of ideas as well as group work with peers.
Faculty Workshop 2: Makayla Wright | Faculty Self Care in the Midst of Supporting Student Mental Health Needs
Description: This training is focused on supporting faculty wellbeing and self-care. During this, faculty will learn how to become emotionally self-aware in order to address issues of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Tools will include how to recognize emotional triggers and how to self soothe and regulate while supporting students. Additionally, faculty will learn how to validate students non-judgmentally, while maintaining personal boundaries. Participants will receive a list of tools and resources to use after this workshop.
Faculty Workshop 3: Nicole Renee Jordan | Let’s Unpack That
Description: Together we will examine the racist, xenophobic and homophobic traditions of micro and macro aggressions that continue to facilitate an inequitable learning environment. This session will be an interactive opportunity to challenge these norms to create a safer environment for all.
Faculty Workshop 4: Patricia McDonald | Are You Ready? How Culturally Responsive Practices (CRP) Can Support Instructor Preparedness for Student Success.
Description: This session will provide faculty with a culturally responsive model aimed at increasing one’s awareness, knowledge and skills of themselves, their students and their pedagogy. Instructors, specifically those working with diverse communities, must be intentional about crafting relationships and learning opportunities that are relevant and student centered. Rather than asking, “are the students ready for this course”, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the ways they prepare course content to be ready for their students and their success. Linked to recent Washington State CCDEI Standards and current research on educator effectiveness, faculty will have the opportunity to identify specific strategies they can implement immediately. (The Ask: Bring a course syllabus and student roster to the session.)
Track B: Faculty
Dr. Alejandro Covarrubias | CONTEXT before Content: A Reflective Framework for Making More Intentional EDI Decisions as a Leadership Collective
Description: Leading an institution often means making difficult and complex decisions that impact the lives of a diverse group of campus stakeholders. Tangibly integrating Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into these complex decisions can be challenging. This session offers a reflective framework that hopes to increase the capacity of campus leaders to engage in the nuanced context of EDI within the higher education setting. Engaging in the EDI context will lead to more meaningful and direct outcomes for marginalized communities.
Report not available for 2023 Faculty & Staff In-Service Day due to limited staffing and data infrastructure capacity