For the Winter 2014 Professional Development session, we were joined by Dr. Allison Davis-White Eyes, Oscar Humberto Montemayor, and Charlene Martinez from Intercultural Student Services (ISS).  First, the team shared about the purpose and mission of ISS as well as who they serve, new programs, and resources.  2013-14 is a year of transition for ISS in which they are re-examining how they can best serve OSU students in the 21st century.  The ISS team then led advisors in activities, discussion, and reflection centered on helping advisors understand the multiple dimensions of their own identity and how an individual may be a member of both advantaged and targeted social groups.  We then discussed ways in which our identity may influence how students perceive and interact with us in the advising context.  ISS has kindly shared their Presentation as well as the handouts Identity Wheel and Matrix of Oppression that were used during this Advisor Coffee Talk.  They also provided the following suggested readings from Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (2007): Knowing Our Students and Knowing Ourselves.

Charlene announced the new Arts in Social Justice Living Learning Community that will begin Fall 2014 in Wilson Hall.  ISS also has several upcoming events that you can share with your advisees.

We will leave you with an inspirational quote shared at today’s talk:  “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Laozi (shared by Oscar Humberto Montemayor)