Given that her work in mental illness had always brought issues of diversity to the fore in the classroom, Dr. Edilma Yearwood, Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SNHS) approached the week-long Inclusive Teaching and Learning (IT&L) Seminar as a way to meet like-minded people at the university with whom she could connect and establish ongoing relationships. She left the seminar re-energized and armed with materials and resources she was determined to share with others in her department.

In conjunction with SNHS colleagues Susan Coleman and Michelle Tucker, both of whom also attended the Inclusive Teaching and Learning Seminar, Yearwood developed a needs analysis and surveyed SNHS faculty to unearth areas of concern around diversity and inclusiveness issues.

Based on this information, Yearwood and her colleagues collaborated with CNDLS, the Academic Resource Center, and Counseling and Psychiatric Services to design a workshop for fellow SNHS faculty focused on inclusive teaching and learning through the facilitation of experiential learning for students. The workshop began with an exercise prompting participants to explore their assumptions on identity and diversity, and went on to focus on tools and strategies for addressing difficult topics (e.g. homophobia, disabilities, cultural differences), building flexibility into assignments and assessments, encouraging the use of small groups, and emphasizing healthy and open discussion. SNHS has been a strong supporter of the IT&L Seminar, sending nine faculty over the last five years and resulting in this workshop tailored to the concerns and needs of members of their own department.