CDSP Awarded Grant for Intercultural Competency Work

In January, CDSP faculty and administrators undertook a two-day training to strengthen their ability to work in intercultural settings. Using a tool called the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), they assessed their own intercultural competence and developed goals and plans for building intercultural skills.

Now, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, the work will continue during the 2018-2019 academic year.

The next phase of the project will include more faculty training and development and an August workshop at which faculty will explore ways to increase intercultural competence across disciplines.

“The purpose of increasing intercultural competence among the faculty is to improve our ability to understand, navigate, and bridge cultural differences, so that we can better prepare students for ministry in culturally diverse communities,” said Academic Dean Ruth Meyers. “In addition to continuing faculty training in intercultural competence, this grant will help us identify specific changes to our course design and teaching that will have a significant impact on intercultural competence in the classroom.”