News & Events
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AWARD, October 2009
VISIONS is very excited about the following award made to the University of Wisconsin Colleges and Extension. It recognizes the accomplishments of their Multicultural Awareness Program, which resulted from a training-of-trainer program that was inspired and created by VISIONS, Inc. and implemented by several VISIONS consultants over a 3 year period.
David Wilson , Chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension announced that the State Council on Affirmative Action and the Wisconsin Office of State Employment Relations are presenting the Council’s 2009 Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award to the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension for its Multicultural Awareness Program (MAP).
The award notes: “The Multicultural Awareness Program is the cornerstone of a significant initiative of multicultural change to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension in an increasingly diverse society. Through focused training and workshops, MAP meets the needs of diverse students and clientele and encourages development of a welcoming and responsive environment where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated and leveraged to achieve greater productivity and creativity.”
In his email letter to all colleagues in the University and Extension, Wilson extended his congratulations and thanks for all that they have done “to help us create an environment of inclusive excellence.”
He further mentions: “Our institutions have made much progress in this area in the last several years, and I want to bring some highlights of our progress to your attention:
- UW Colleges students of color have increased by 41 percent from 2005-2008 and our retention of students of color is at its highest rate ever.
- Broadcasting and Media Innovations, a division of UW-Extension, continues to win statewide and national awards for its diverse programming including Wisconsin Public Television’s “Way of the Warrior” program and Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Bridging the Shores: The Hmong-American Experience” documentary. These programs have been broadcast in many states beyond Wisconsin.
- A Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partnership from our division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development resulted in the launch of 70 new Latino-owned businesses in south-central Wisconsin in 2008.
- UW-Extension’s Cooperative Extension division continues to ensure its programs reflect the diverse audiences it serves by reaching out through classes and publications in Spanish and Hmong and by taking educational opportunities into locations throughout communities, such as public health clinics, community gardens, schools, libraries, neighborhood centers and Head Start centers. Twenty-six percent of Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program participants are people of color.
- UW-Extension’s Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-learning continues to grant funds to support continuing education diversity efforts at
LEGACY PROJECT FOR YOUTH, Summer 2008
With grant funding from the Kellogg Foundation, VISIONS conducted an 8 week youth program in Boston called the Legacy Project. This program was delivered by VISIONS Youth Consultants with adult support. The program educated a core group of Boston area youth and youth workers to use the VISIONS framework to have discussions across barriers of race, class, gender, etc. and prepare them to effectively communicate with adults and to empower them to become leaders and catalysts for positive change. The youth also planned and implemented a successful community event.
THE NATIONAL BLACK LATINO SUMMIT, October 2008
VISIONS was invited to participate in a National Black Latino Summit in Los Angeles, California organized by Policy Link ( www.policylink.org ). The idea for this process, which speaks to fulfilling the aspirations of America’s two largest minority groups, crystallized at the Third National Summit for Regional Equity held in New Orleans in March. Beginning with the critically needed dialogue between African Americans and Latinos, the National Black Latino Summit was envisioned as part of a larger process of alliance building for action to effect changes in policy, sustainability, and accountability for all ethnic and racial groups. Facilitated by VISIONS consultants, the summit focused on problem solving in order to develop a shared agenda for equity and inclusion.
SHRM DIVERSITY CONFERENCE & EXPO, October 2008
VISIONS participated at the above conference in Atlanta with an exhibition booth.
The significant number of visitors to the booth and their interest in VISIONS work was indeed very encouraging.
OCTOBER 2008
VISIONS Inc. conducted a one day workshop at the Community Food Coalition Annual Conference in Philadelphia on October 5, 2008.
Details at:
http://healthyfoodconference.com/conference-agenda/pre-conference-events/
Diversity Award (click image to enlarge)
Distinquished Alumni Award (click image to enlarge)
Distinguished Alumni Award (click image to enlarge)
Episcopal Divinity School
Degree of Doctorate of Divinity (click image to enlarge)
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