How will I handle diversity?

The first step of growing an inclusive culture at our schools in regards to race, class, and gender is to lead by example. I will definitely involve the community to help me organize activities that represent different cultures.

To start off I would require an ongoing virtual training for all faculty and staff... not the usual boring one where a lady stands in front of the camera, delivers information, and is concluded by a five-question quiz to verify participation. No! I would partner up with other schools around the world and assign each department a pen pal. They would have to communicate weekly via Skype or Google hangouts and build a professional relationship, where both parties learn from each other.

New technologies can help me bridge the generational gap by again, including others. Students have the ability to take an app or game and become experts from one day to another. Why not use that to our advantage? Students can be the ones leading technology trainings and teach us the ins and outs. Our passion for education and their passion for technology can then merge and help us close that gap. We need to be humble though and show students that educators are life-long learners and have no pride in letting them teach us.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas?