Cultural Facilitator

Culture informs decision-making, feelings, ideas, and perspectives. Culture informs self and "other" identities. Culture is created within classrooms and programs, but also permeates them. I personally believe that culture can be created and adapted based on the players, and that a cultural facilitator provides context for old guidelines whilst adapting new ideas that can be integrated into new culture.  A cultural facilitator then, in my opinion, is responsible to:

1. Recognize that culture exists and may be experienced/perceived/influential in a variety of ways. To be self-aware of cultural interpretation and understanding.
2. Create intentional and safe space to explore and understand similarities and differences, as well as to provide context for existing culture.
3. Challenge "Truth" (with a capital T) to help in exploration of multiple truthS.
4. Balance the challenge with exuberant support of the learning process and attempts to make meaning of immediate surroundings.

At UC Blue Ash specifically, I see my role as a cultural facilitator most prominently as the facilitator of orientation. I am tasked with introducing the culture of our campus to new students that have varying truths of understanding and to help them in being comfortable to participate and contribute to the culture of our community. As a cultural facilitator, I expect open and authentic personal truths be brought to the table, as well as open minds. I hope to be part of the conversation and development of the culture.