SESSIONS

Between the Opening and Closing sessions, there will be just a few session repeating throughout the day so we hope you will be able to experience everything.

Opening Session: Creating a Community of Inquiry and Empathy

As we gather together to start the day, we will form our community of inquiry and empathy by making some agreements, making some connections with our fellow travelers and exploring the personal values that connect us to this important work of cultivating belonging.

Return of The Human Library

The Human Library made a huge impact on last year’s participants, so we’re bringing it back. Participants will listen in small groups as ‘Readers’ to the ‘Human Books’ we have gathered – Students, Faculty & Staff share their stories of belonging uncertainty. Gain new perspectives, insights and empathy for how people struggle with belonging at our college and other situations.

What Do WE Know About Belonging?

Based on concepts and practices from BELONGING, The Science of Creating Connections and Bridging Divides, this workshop will engage participants in:

• Introspection on their own lived experiences with belonging and not belonging
• Sharing experiences in small groups
• Discussing situations that creating belonging uncertainty in the classroom and other Palomar settings
• Brainstorming ways to craft situations that enhance belonging for all in our various spheres of influence

WE are already the experts! Let’s collectivize our knowledge and experience.

Faculty Fables: Crafting Stories of Inclusion (Workshop by the Parity Project) 

We have all had those moments when we’ve felt excluded, even in the workplace. This workshop focuses on strategies for identifying and cultivating belonging for Part Time Faculty, our district’s largest employee group. Discover how cultivating a culture of belonging for this particular group improves the well-being and learning environments of our students. Intended audience: Administrators, Directors, Department Chairs, and all Faculty – particularly those in mentor positions. All festival attendees are welcome! Please come prepared to interact, reflect, and share ideas. 

DEIAA All Campus Confab

The work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Antiracism is happening in many different domains of our participatory governance; but all these efforts are not coordiated. In this event, representatives of many committees, councils, task forces, affinity groups, etc. will host a discussion and brainstorming session on how to better coordinate and focus the initiatives already happening at our college.

Closing Session

Wrap-up the day with an interactive session to collectively process our experiences and brainstorm the action items to move this work forward.

ACTIVITIES

All day long there will be music, snacks, beverages and unstructured activities for connecting with each other, so we encourage you to go with the flow!

Music & Drum Circle

The renowned João Vincent Lewis will spin tunes and lead spontaneous drum circles throughout the day. Many instruments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

Community Mural

As the day progresses we invite participants to add their insights, impressions, experiences, questions and suggestions onto a community mural.

Living Survey

We have devised a walk-through survey in which participants answer the questions by adding a token to the jar with their response.

Drag Lunch and K Pop Dance Club

Enjoy a wonderfully prepared lunch provided by Curry & More and a delicious menu of Palomar Students’ Drag performance and selections from Palomar’s K Pop Dance Club