Upward Bound

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a diversity session for Upward Bound students from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9^th.Students were given the opportunity to define diversity as they participated in three sessions.These sessions included: What is diversity? Taking a risk on ourselves, Taking a risk on others, and Taking a risk together

                                                                                                        What is diversity?

Students in this session listened to statements such as “I know someone with a disability-physical or mental”, and stood up if it applied. Students discovered diversity goes beyond skin colors and includes any aspect that makes us different. They then reflected on the importance of understanding diversity and its impact on the college experience.

Taking a risk on ourselves
In this session, students examined how they can take risks on ourselves to help them evolve in ability and perspective. A modified version of rock-paper-scissors was played in this session. As students won at each rock-paper-scissors game, they evolved from an egg to a chicken, then a ninja, and finally, a superhero. Based on this activity, students then reflected on risk-taking in life when interacting with other students. In order to become superheroes, students had to be willing to play the game and take risks.

 Taking a risk on others

In this session, students were given a label to be placed on their forehead. On these labels included instructions such as “ Ignore me”, “Say hi to me” and “Give me a high-five.” At the end of the activity, students reflected on their experiences having different labels that evoked specific responses from their peers. Students then reflected on ways to make others feel welcome and included.  Students then wrote compliments on sticky notes and distributed them.

Taking a risk together

For this activity, all students were gathered into a large group and given the chance to play rock-paper-scissors again, without evolution. In this game, students who lost their games became cheerleaders for their peers. As each match continued, each person gained more and more cheerleaders. Near the end of this game, there were only two people left and each person had support. While reflecting on this activity, a remark was made that this activity made everyone feel better about themselves, because a support system had been formed. Students were then asked to think about their own support systems at home and how the people in that support system can help them achieve success as they get out of their comfort zones later on in life.

For more information about this event, contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at                   diversitytsu@gmail.com or 254-968-9488.