Inclusive Excellence Academy
What is the Inclusive Excellence Academy?
Cornell University's Inclusive Excellence Academy offers programs designed to advance an inclusive educational environment and workplace. The IEA features customized seminars designed for participants at all stages of their understanding of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Specific seminars, prioritized based on the university's needs, are offered each semester. Our programs incorporate personal narratives from experienced speakers that encourages participants to engage in dialogue, self-reflection, and the development of action-oriented skills that foster a culture of belonging.
Upcoming Learning Sessions
An Inclusive Approach to Leadership: November 4, 7, 15, 20
Workshop Overview:
“Inclusion is not a strategy to help people fit into the systems and structures which exist in our societies. It is about transforming those systems and structures to make it better for everyone.” – Diane Richler, chair of Inclusion International’s Catalyst for Inclusive Education.
Did you know that, according to research cited by the Harvard Business Review, “What leaders say and do makes up to a 70% difference as to whether an individual reports feeling included”? Transforming how we approach leadership can result in more inclusive experiences for staff, thereby increasing organizational performance.
In this course, we’ll reimagine leadership by moving beyond seeing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as mere checkboxes on our to-do list. Instead, we’ll focus on applying an inclusive mindset to all aspects of our daily work and engagement with others.
Participants will:
- Discuss evidence-based reasons why embedding an inclusive approach in leadership and management styles will enhance employee engagement and retention;
- Explore the traits and behaviors that reflect an inclusive leadership style; and
- Generate tangible ways to apply an inclusive approach to demonstrating each of the Cornell Leadership Skills for Success.
This course is ideal for anyone who leads individuals or groups in some capacity (i.e. supervisor/people leader, project manager, shift or unit lead, committee/workgroup/board chair, etc).
Please contact inclusion@cornell.edu with any questions.
Anti-Racism Training and Resources
For more information on ongoing trainings focused on anti-racism, please visit the Anti-Racism Resources page on the Belonging at Cornell website.
Seminar Request
See a workshop you want to bring to your department or unit? Contact the Department of Inclusion and Belonging at inclusion@cornell.edu.
IEA Learning Goals
- Participants will develop an understanding of the business case for diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of identity groups outside of their own.
- Participants will learn more about their own identities in relation to others.
- Participants will learn concrete action steps they can implement in their department and/or unit to create a culture of inclusion and belonging.
"Break & Learn" Sessions
The IE Academy Break and Learn (B&L) sessions aim to elevate the voices and lived experiences of employees while also providing colleagues and people leaders tangible information and ideas they can apply to their everyday work life.
Previous Break & Learn Sessions
- A Deeper Understanding of the Indigenous Experience (Recorded on November 29, 2022)
- Honoring Black History Through Collaboration and Celebration (Recorded on February 23, 2023)
- A Discussion Across Diverse Asian/Asian American Experiences (Recorded on May 4, 2023)
- Exploring Ableism (Recorded on June 15, 2023)
- Celebrating Local Latinx/Hispanic History (Recorded on October 13, 2023)
- The Value of Veterans in the Workplace (Recorded on November 16, 2023)