In August of 2015, the College of Education launched The Bridge as a “brave space” for students, faculty, and staff to develop and expand their multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills.
Goal: To develop and expand social justice perspectives
Mission: To address critical societal needs through opportunities for learning, training, and service-related endeavors of diversity, inclusion, and equity
Vision: To be a world-leading College in our inclusivity and equity efforts
Objectives:
- To prepare and support undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and professional staff in the College of Education & Human Development in their acquisition of increased levels of multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills
- To foster an understanding of the critical need to be a change agent within our College and out in the community
- To provide a brave space and supportive learning/work environment for students, faculty, and professional staff from differing backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences
Engaging Differences
- Treat identities as assets
- Build empathy & interdependence
- Own inclusion as a universal responsibility
- Engage in continuous inquiry
- Embrace practices that create belonging
= HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Adapted from the Office of First Generation and Diversity, Stanford University.
Activities & Events
The Bridge provides programming, activities, and opportunities for individuals in the College of Education & Human Development to connect with one another. These connections aid in the understanding of our shared humanity while valuing our different cultural assets.
- Research Discussion Series
- Movie Discussion Series
- Book Discussion Series
- Visiting Scholars
- Bridge to Mizzou: AVID Mentoring
- Mizzou Alternative Breaks Weekenders & Spring Break Service Trips
- Staff Learning Communities
- Workshops & Presentations
- Classroom Support and Consultation
- Student Advisory Committee
- One-on-One Support
Get Involved @ The Bridge!
Attend an event:
- to learn more about yourself and others;
- to understand and develop of culturally-sensitive skills;
- to connect with faculty, professional staff, and students in the College of Education & Human Development as well as individuals at Mizzou and in the Columbia community
Students interested in further involvement can apply to join the Student Advisory Committee.
Schedule Us!
The Bridge is available for classes, meetings, presentations, or interactive discussions regarding a wide range of diversity topics.
How does The Bridge define “diversity” and “inclusion”?
Currently, we use the definition that the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) created to describe diversity.
According to the AAC&U, diversity is defined as “individual differences (e.g., personality, learning styles, and life experiences) and group/social differences (e.g., race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, and ability as well as cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations).”
The AAC&U defines inclusion as “the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect—in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions.”
The Bridge will initiate conversations and implement programming according to these definitions in order to promote an inclusive and supportive environment where all MU College of Education & Human Development students, professional staff, and faculty are celebrated and valued.
Resources:
Mizzou Events Calendar
Mizzou Diversity