Professional Development Institute Testimonials
Matt Cavalli, Professor and Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences - 2024 Cohort
Dr. Orbe, as the primary facilitator for the Professional Development Institute, challenges participants to better know themselves and, through that process, to become more open to genuinely knowing others and to prioritizing understanding over judgment. The process is intense but made less daunting by the empathy and honesty that Mark and cohort members bring to the process. For many participants (including me), the PDI may be unique among their professional development experiences. No cookbook solutions to uncomfortable situations are given. No checklists for meeting the letter or intent of specific regulations are discussed. Preconceptions, assumptions, and biases are illuminated using methods that, while challenging, help participants develop more inclusive approaches to thinking and behaving.
Christy Chambers, Budget Analyst Sr., College of Education and Human Development - 2024 Cohort
The Professional Development Institute was a pivotal experience for me. I went into it based on recommendations of co-workers, finding it both challenging and rewarding in unexpected ways. I came out of it with deeper relationships with colleagues from across campus, and a new toolbox for building connections between people in profoundly meaningful ways. I immediately put the facilitation skills and some of the activities we learned to use in my FYE class, enhancing the learning experiences I was able to offer students. My PDI project focused on the culture and climate of our college as it relates to the onboarding of new staff. I facilitated a two-hour workshop with Dr. Karika Parker and Dr. LaSonja Roberts, where we explored the meaning of names, non-verbal communication, and the power of human connection. Participants developed shared goals for onboarding of new staff, and each walked away with a personal goal that they would commit to as we work together to build a culture where we all thrive. The feedback about the workshop was very positive, with several requests to do more of this work together moving forward. I can't recommend the Professional Development Institute enough and feel very grateful that I had the opportunity to experience it!
Lisah Crall, Business Manager Senior, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Office - 2020 Inaugural Cohort
The days I spent with Dr. Orbe and the members of the Building Cultural Competencies team were the most fundamentally important training that I have received in my professional career. Reaching far beyond typical bias training, this PDI course allowed us to share and affirm each other's personal stories which made me even more open and receptive to learning and participating. The work bridged roles, backgrounds, and experiences and created a safe and open space to share and grow in my knowledge and understanding of myself and those with whom I work and serve.
Lofty Durham, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theatre, and Chair, College of Fine Arts Diversity and Inclusion Committee - 2021 Cohort
Drs. Orbe and Winfield-Thomas are playing the long game here, planting the seeds of our institution’s transformation in training like this PDI. This is the highest-quality, most practical, and easily actionable training based in concepts of equity, justice, belonging, diversity, and communication that I have ever experienced, and it is clear that the more people take this opportunity to learn together, the closer we get to creating a place where all may truly learn and be valued for who they really are and what they can contribute to our community. If you’re like me, you may have made a personal commitment to acting in more just and equitable ways, but this training shows you how you can share and spread that commitment in the workplace. I cannot recommend enough!
Charles Henderson, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Director of the Mallinson Institute for Science Education - 2021 Cohort
The Cultural Competencies Professional Development Institute far exceeded my expectations. Dr. Orbe created a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere. His ability to facilitate interactions and build a supportive environment allowed participants to take risks and develop new insights about equity and inclusion. In addition to modeling good facilitation skills, Dr. Orbe also gave us insight into his decision-making, which will help me as a teacher and leader. I have attended other trainings with similar goals and this one has had by far the most impact on me and my work at WMU. A further benefit from the Institute is the opportunity to work with and get to know colleagues from throughout the University.
Warren Hills, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Human Resources - 2021 Cohort
My first thought after being a member of the Building Cultural Competencies cohort for 2021 was that we need to make this an opportunity available to all WMU employees. I was indeed privileged to share the experience with this years’ group and have reflected often on what I learned and how my beliefs and perceptions were challenged. But in addition to the personal growth, we were also introduced to this collection of activities and exercises that are available for all of us to use in future programs on campus. I’m confident our group will build upon this experience to affect positive change to our campus community. Dr. Orbe, thanks so much for this opportunity!
Irma Lopez, Ph.D., Dean, Lee Honors College - 2020 Inaugural Cohort
The Institute provided a refreshing training in cultural competency in an atmosphere of openness and collegiality. Dr. Mark Orbe made learning fun by providing activities that had specific goals and outcomes which help us to continue self-evaluating and reviewing of our views and attitudes toward people whose culture and worldview is different from those in our inner circle. At the Institute, we used our differences to strengthen our bond as humans and colleagues, and it provided a delightful opportunity to know and interact with colleagues from across campus from different backgrounds. This was enriching on many levels. My participation gave me the opportunity to improve myself and to harness the power of a culturally diverse WMU workforce.
Antoinette London-Johnson Wright , Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences - 2024 Cohort
For my project, I chose to implement some of the training activities into my classrooms. My students had an opportunity to reflect on how they see themselves and believe others see them during the "Cultural Identity Pyramid" activity, which revealed parts of their identity that had received little attention but provides great influence on their interactions with the world around them. In addition, students enjoyed getting to know each other and share about their culture when completing the "Diversity Scavenger Hunt" activity. This activity allowed for connection to individuals and cultures outside of students' immediate circles or knowledge base, and allowed students to expand their knowledge, perceptions, and understanding about cultures, traditions, and customs different from their own. Students expressed excitement and joy about the additions of the cultural competencies' activities and recommended I add more of the activities to the course! I truly enjoyed implementing these activities into my course and will continue to share this wealth of invaluable knowledge with generations to come!
What an amazing experience! I enjoyed continuing my personal growth as it pertains to cultural competencies. However, this was much more. The Professional Development Institute (PDI) challenged me in unexpected, yet wonderful and welcoming ways. I learned the most during the small break-out sessions when we had time to discuss different scenarios, and I was able to look at various situations from different perspectives.
I believe PDI was one of the more intense programs I have participated in. I felt various emotions from the beginning to end. However, the facilitator and cohort collectively created a safe space where I believe everyone felt safe and heard. By the end of the program, I formed nice bonds with cohort participants.
I love the term Dumela that we used as an affirmation of the other person’s presence - as if to say “we see you”! It is my opinion that growth is inevitable for anyone who participates in this program. The Professional Development Institute is positively transformative!
William McQuitty, Institutional Research Analyst, Office of Institutional Research - 2024 Cohort
I did not know what to expect when I signed up for the Professional Development Institute other than I would be learning how to become better ally for diverse populations, but it turned out to be so much more. Over the institute’s three days, participants learn as much about each other as from each other in a cathartic process that humanizes diversity and diverse peoples. The many interactive activities designed by Dr. Mark Orbe illuminate many invisible assumptions ingrained within culture and gives participants the tools to challenge those assumptions both internally and when encountered in others. I also learned a lot about myself through this process and now, a year out from the PDI, I can with full confidence describe the institute as personally and professionally transformational. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will come out of it a better person.
Andrea Mellendorf, WMU Apartment Complex Coordinator, WMU Apartments/Spindler Hall, Residence Life - 2022 Cohort
The Professional Development Institute was an incredible way to connect with colleagues from across campus and unite on the common goal of creating a just and equitable WMU. Dr. Orbe does an excellent job of facilitating discussions and activities that are thought-provoking, challenging, fulfilling, and encouraging. I left the PDI feeling empowered to take the information gained and skills built back to my corner of campus to continue the work. I feel more connected with other units on campus, and so encouraged and empowered after participating in the PDI. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to further their understanding and commitment to JEDI work. I am confident that continuing this program for years to come will bring welcome, positive change to our campus community!
Lisbeth Morales, Coordinator of Services, College Assistance Migrant Program, Multicultural Affairs - 2024 Cohort
Ángela Pérez-Villa, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, History - 2022 Cohort
The first evening my PDI cohort met for our opening sessions, Dr. Mark Orbe said we thought we knew why we were there but we really didn’t. He was right! As someone who enjoys and seeks out professional development opportunities, this experience was like no other for its emphasis on building professional intimacy. Each session was carefully developed to spark discussion and creativity while bringing participants closer to each other as colleagues and humans through vulnerability and personal experience. The hands-on nature of the program allowed us to actively learn the material, test the tools provided, and reflect on how we could potentially apply this learning to promote diversity and inclusion. The sense of camaraderie that we created as a group by the end of the Institute was unlike anything I have experienced in a professional training. For all this, the Institute exceeded my expectations and brought back a sense of community I had lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. I’m grateful to have participated in what I consider a truly world-class experience at Western Michigan University.
Maria Roche-Dean, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Nursing - 2021 Cohort
I sought the training on building cultural competency through the Professional Development Institute at WMU because I wanted to explore different ways to broach this topic with students at varying levels in our programs. The conversations may be similar, but the approach and depth may differ based on the audience. This experience exceeded my expectations. My colleagues and I had frank discussions, reflected on our backgrounds, roles, behaviors and began to develop a depth of understanding around cultural competency, and being human. We focused on connection and fostering intellectual and emotional growth. In my perspective, this experience led by Dr. Orbe, fostered community building and offered tools that could be applied in the classroom and in our work. I encourage others seeking ways to understand our world and explore worldviews to participate in the PDI training on Building Cultural Competencies.
Chris Sligh, Director, Student Engagement - 2021 Cohort
The Professional Development Institute was truly one of the best professional development opportunities in my higher education career. The environment that Dr. Orbe was able to create allowed for meaningful and needed conversation. This was an excellent opportunity to grow by being challenged without feeling called out. The PDI allowed for the empathy, connection, and reflection that is truly needed for real DEI work to move forward. The intentional design of the cohort was successful in that I was afforded the opportunity to network with many of my colleagues in ways that I had not before. This is a great opportunity for people to be actively engaged and look to be a part of the solution.
Jessica Swartz, Former Deputy General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs and General Counsel - 2021 Cohort
I am grateful that WMU gave me the opportunity to take over thirty hours away from my professional duties to participate in the PDI. The timing could not have been more perfect because, in addition to all of the turmoil we have been experiencing from a race and gender perspective over the last eighteen months, we were also under the weight of COVID. While I have participated in other diversity, inclusion, and equity training, the great strength of this program was experiencing it with coworkers. Being together with colleagues allowed us to share the difficulties of the past 18 months and get a glimpse into how we experienced the same events very differently. This is the first one of these trainings where I truly felt that the people who needed to be in the room and listening were there. I learned so much about other perspectives of people at the university and in Kalamazoo communities. The way Dr. Orbe designed the program to progressively go emotionally deeper as the days went on made it easy to go fully open up by the last day. I’m glad I took the personal and professional risk of “putting myself out there” for this experience. It was cathartic and made me a better person and colleague.
Kara Wood, Former Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships, Current WMU Board of Trustee Member - 2021 Cohort
An organization is only as good as its culture—and building that culture is every employee’s responsibility. By participating in this institute, you can help make WMU a more supportive and engaging place to work by understanding the perceptual, institutional, and psychological processes, systems and networks that impact the ways people interact with each other and how we can support a more inclusive workplace. It provides an environment that allows you to become aware of cultural differences and allows you to develop new insights about race and equity that you may not have been aware of before. This was an exceptional experience that allowed me to continue my journey personally, and professionally, toward actions and growth that will continue to cultivate an inclusive, diverse workplace and improve the University culture.
Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Ed., Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - 2020 Inaugural Cohort
"Using cultural competency and humility as a foundation for the Professional Development Institute (PDI) was eye opening and from my perspective addresses diversity, equity and inclusion holistically Additionally, having the opportunity to participate as a part of a cohort (with a phenomenal scholar/trainer - Dr. Orbe) and with colleagues from across campus has allowed us to begin contributing to the overall vision of building capacity on campus in ways that will advance the University D, E, I, goals and objectives. This was a valuable opportunity, and I encourage others to participate in future Office of Institutional Equity Cultural Competency Institutes." Thank you for the opportunity.