Learning & Engagement Opportunities

DEI Learning Experiences from CALS
September 14, 2023 – Spirit, Heart, Mind and Body: Holistic Ways of Knowing Can Lead to a Satisfying Environment for Working and Learning Well with One Another! (Lunch Provided)expand_more
Spirit, Heart, Mind and Body: Holistic Ways of Knowing Can Lead to a Satisfying Environment for Working and Learning Well with One Another!
Date & Time: Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11:30am-1:00pm (CDT)
Location: In-person; Steenbock Library, Biocommons 110A & B
Presenter(s): Dr. Annie Jones
Organizer(s): CALS Community Wellness Committee & Equity and Diversity Committee
An interactive workshop that explores spiritual domains like honoring, valuing, and belonging in our classrooms and learning communities to create “lifelines” with, and between, one another. You will leave the session having built and strengthened lasting collegial relationships that will enrich your interactions with colleagues and students.
Lunch (pizza, soda/water, and cookies) will be provided. You may also opt to bring your own lunch.
Anne Jones, PhD, is an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation, and a Professor, Organization Development and Tribal Nations Specialist with UW–Madison’s Division of Extension. She is affiliate faculty with the Departments of American Indian Studies and Community and Environmental Sociology. In her twenty-five-year career, she has served as Associate Dean, Special Assistant to the Dean for Strategic Directions and as a Community Development Educator. Annie’s areas of research include indigenous methodologies and cultural teachings to enhance leadership development, organizational planning, educational program development and evaluation. Annie co-leads UW–Madison’s Native Nations UW effort along with Omar Poler.
Registration is required.
October 6, 2023 – Celebrating Latinx Voices in STEM Symposiumexpand_more
Celebrating Latinx Voices in STEM Symposium
Date & Time: Friday, October 6, 2023 at 9:00am-2:00pm (CDT)
Location: In-person; TBD
Presenter(s): Various
Organizer(s): Claudia Solis Lemus
Discuss issues of underrepresentation in science. Help promote the advancement of women and gender diversity in academic science & engineering.
Registration is required.
November 7, 2023 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALSexpand_more
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALS
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 10:00am-11:30am (CST)
Location: Online; Zoom
Presenter(s): Rosalia Gittens
Organizer(s): CALS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). We strive to make our climate the best it can be for all students, faculty and staff, and we are committed to offering an excellent learning and work environment.
This introductory workshop is designed for CALS’ faculty and staff who would like to better understand the goal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We review key foundational concepts and help participants identify their role in creating positive climate and culture at CALS.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Identify benefits and importance of DEI
- Explore self-reflection tools and learning resources to expand personal and professional growth
Registration is required.
January 22, 2024 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALSexpand_more
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALS
Date & Time: Monday, January 22, 2024 at 1:30pm-3:00pm (CST)
Location: Online; Zoom
Presenter(s): Rosalia Gittens
Organizer(s): CALS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). We strive to make our climate the best it can be for all students, faculty and staff, and we are committed to offering an excellent learning and work environment.
This introductory workshop is designed for CALS’ faculty and staff who would like to better understand the goal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We review key foundational concepts and help participants identify their role in creating positive climate and culture at CALS.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Identify benefits and importance of DEI
- Explore self-reflection tools and learning resources to expand personal and professional growth
Registration is required.
February 23, 2024 – Engaging in Difficult Conversationsexpand_more
Engaging in Difficult Conversations
Date & Time: Thursday, February 23, 2024 at 9:00am-10:30am (CST)
Location: Online; Zoom
Presenter(s): Rosalia Gittens
Organizer(s): CALS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
Learn strategies to engage in difficult conversations..
Registration is required.
March 12, 2024 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALSexpand_more
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CALS
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00am-11:30am (CDT)
Location: In-person; TBD
Presenter(s): Rosalia Gittens
Organizer(s): CALS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). We strive to make our climate the best it can be for all students, faculty and staff, and we are committed to offering an excellent learning and work environment.
This introductory workshop is designed for CALS’ faculty and staff who would like to better understand the goal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We review key foundational concepts and help participants identify their role in creating positive climate and culture at CALS.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Identify benefits and importance of DEI
- Explore self-reflection tools and learning resources to expand personal and professional growth
Registration is required.
April 9, 2024 – Engaging in Difficult Conversationsexpand_more
Engaging in Difficult Conversations
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 2:00pm-3:30pm (CDT)
Location: In-person; TBD
Presenter(s): Rosalia Gittens
Organizer(s): CALS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI)
Learn strategies to engage in difficult conversations..
Registration is required.
Resources for Finding DEI Learning Experiences
On-Campus Resources
UW–Madison Conferences
The following UW–Madison conferences may have sessions focused on DEI based on previous years’ conferences. Please review the schedules and session descriptions for more information.
- Diversity Forum: November 14-15, 2023
- Teaching & Learning Symposium: Spring 2024
- Office of Strategic Consulting Showcase: April 18, 2024
UW–Madison OHR Professional Development Courses
The following Office of Human Resources (OHR) professional development opportunities are relevant to DEI.
- Fully Prepared to Lead (FP2L) Series
- Effective and Engaging Meetings
- Modes of Conflict Management
- Your Interpersonal Style
- Thrive@UW Series
- Active Listening to Support Effective Communication
- Building Trusting Work Relationships
- Understanding Your Experiences and Identities
- Inclusion@UW Series
- Perspectives
- Working Better Together: Everything DiSC Workplace
- Emotional Intelligence@Work
- Bystander Intervention: Stepping In with Care and Confidence
- Inclusive Teams: Co-Creating Team Culture, Values, and Intentions
- Plain Language Certificate
To find other opportunities, you may search the UW-Madison Calendar for events with the “diversity” tag.
Note: There are other DEI learning opportunities offered at UW–Madison. This list is not exhaustive. Please email odei@cals.wisc.edu if you have suggestions for additions.
Off-Campus Resources
Higher Education Professional Organizations
The following higher education professional organizations host conferences throughout the year. At their conferences, there may be sessions focused on DEI based on previous years’ conferences. Please review their schedules and session descriptions for more information.
- ACPA: College Student Educators International
- NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising
- NACE: National Association of Colleges and Employers
- NADOHE: National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education
- AAC&U: American Association of Colleges and Universities
Higher Education National Conferences & Workshops
The following national conferences and workshops focus on DEI. Please review their schedules and session descriptions for more information.
Note: There are other DEI learning opportunities offered nationally. This list is not exhaustive. Please email odei@cals.wisc.edu if you have suggestions for additions.
Other
Professional Development Grants
- Academic Staff Professional Development Grants
- Office of Academic & Career Success Professional Development Grants
- Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) Scholarships for Professional Development Courses Offered by the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS)
Note: There are other resources. This list is not exhaustive. Please email odei@cals.wisc.edu if you have suggestions for additions.

Need to complete your CALS DEI professional development requirement?
Click below to learn more about the DEI-PD requirement and how you can satisfy it.