Intentional Initiatives

These workshops are designed to provide the Gonzaga University community with opportunities to enhance their understanding of the complexities of social justice in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The workshops are uniquely constructed to challenge participants in the Jesuit tradition of self-reflection. Specifically, participants will be empowered to take ownership in the collective learning.

Please refer to our brochure for a list of workshops.
Workshops run for approximately sixty to ninety minutes but can be customized to be “half day” or “full day” workshops to meet your departmental needs.

To schedule a workshop, please contact
DEB ELLIS
(509)313-6368
ellisd@gonzaga.edu

Our knowledge, concepts, ideas, and norms are socially constructed. More specifically, meanings are constructed by human beings as they engage in the world that they are themselves interpreting (Crotty). The purpose of the Deconstructing Series is to create an educational opportunity to explore dominant traditions and ideologies and stimulate dialogue of inquiry as a result from an alternative perspective. Each topic is critically assessed with the intention to understand the prevalent cultural tradition and its impact in multiple  contexts in society. At the conclusion of every series, facilitators leave participants challenged to take action based on what they have learned via the program.

Topics explored in the past/present:

"The Black Candle: Deconstructing Kwanzaa" (December 4, 2012)

"In the Spirit of Metacom: Deconstructing Thanksgiving" (November 9, 2011)

"Trick or Treat: Deconstructing Halloween" (October 19, 2010)

If you have popular traditions or ideologies you would like to see deconstructed, please contact UMEC at:
unityhouse@gonzaga.edu

Diversity Monologues

Presented by UMEC, the annual Diversity Monologues is a competition that provides Gonzaga students a space to engage their creative voices in sharing their experiences with diversity. Everyone has a story and are made up of multiple social identities. The Diversity Monologues provides a forum for Gonzaga students to express their lived experience through their personal cultural lens. The first half of this two hour program consist of eight student contestants sharing their work, followed by an hour performance by a nationally acclaimed poet. Mark your calendars for March 27, 2014 in Jepson Wolff Auditorium, you won't want to miss it!

3rd Annual Diversity Monologues Spring 2013

Click above for the full video (Video By: GU Campus Services)
How have you been TRANSFORMED by cultural traditions?

2nd Annual Diversity Monologues Spring 2012

Click above for the full video! (Video By: Andy Leon)
How do you come to know your community?

1st Annual Diversity Monologues Spring 2011

Click above for the full video! (Video By: Andy Leon)
How do you come to know beauty?

International Day of Tolerance at Gonzaga University

Wednesday November 14, 2012 12 PM Crosby Steps

Gonzaga Links Together!

Help demonstrate, educate and raise awareness about the negative impact of intolerance, bias and various forms of hate locally and globally. Be one of the hundreds who link arms across campus in support of inclusion and tolerance in the Gonzaga, Spokane, and world community. The line of solidarity will start to form outside the steps of Crosby and we hope to make an impact all the way to Jepson Hall and the Unity Multicultural Education Center! Spread the word...we start linking arms Friday, November 16, 2012 at 12 PM.

For More Information Contact:

TBD
Director

David H. Garcia
Assistant Director
Ext. 4105
garcia@gemdb.gonzaga.edu

Shawn Washington
Program Manager
Ext. 5835
washington@gonzaga.edu

Deb Ellis
Senior Program Assistant
Ext. 6368
ellisd@gonzaga.edu

GU Iron Chef:
 A Cultural Cooking Battle

GU Iron Chef is a fun opportunity for anyone in the Gonzaga community to display their culture's culinary tradition competitively! Two champions-Chef's Favorite and Peoples' Choice-hold bragging rights until next year. Winning recipes are later featured by campus dining services. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 3p in the COG 2nd Floor Dining Room, you won't want to miss the wonderful food from different cultures!

GU Iron Chef Highlights of 2012-GU Iron Chef Participant (Denise Flores)

Click above for video GU Iron Chef Highlight

Past Champions:

2013-Chef's Favorite: Jasmine Linane-Booey
2013-People's Choice: Olivia Murphy 

2012-Chef's Favorite: Dane Pavlik
2012-People's Choice: Nate Gaberich

2011-Chef's Favorite: Denise Flores
2011-People's Choice: Dane Pavlik

2010-Chef's Choice: Denise Flores
2010-People's Choice: Mike Dirkson

Real Talk

• Multiracial Identity (October 30, 2014)
• Cultural Perspective of Hair (February 25, 2013)
• Interracial Dating (October 11, 2012)