Arts and Sciences Building Facade

Intercultural Learning

for Faculty & Staff

Valpo University Students

Explore Intercultural Learning

The Language and Intercultural Learning Center facilities intercultural learning opportunities and curates resources specifically for Valpo faculty and staff. LINC initiatives that support intercultural development include an online assessment that measures intercultural competence, short-term discussion and learning groups, and one distinctive program for those who’ve committed to further developing their intercultural competence, coming Spring 2025.

Pictured here are faculty and staff who participated in the 2024 LINC Summer Reading Group. In early August, members met at the Lutheran Deaconess Association for their final discussion of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. After enjoying a light meal, the group watched the film Origin, a creative and powerful adaptation that depicts Wilkerson’s path while researching and writing her book.

Below, explore opportunities and resources designed for Valpo faculty and staff. Contact LINC Director Carol Goss for more details.

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Faculty and Staff Groups Overview

  • IDI Planning Group – Fall 2024 (beginning late-September): If you are a faculty or staff member who has completed the IDI, consider participating in a short-term group to help you begin your IDI Plan. Details on the first IDI planning group will be announced in September. I’m interested. Please contact me.
  • Podcast Parlor – Fall 2024 (beginning mid-September): Join other faculty and staff for an informal, bi-weekly chat about select podcast episodes highlighting intercultural perspectives. You may attend any or all parlor chats, based on your availability and interest in the podcast topic. Details on Podcast Parlor will be announced in September. I’m interested. Please contact me.
  • Distinctive intercultural program – Spring 2025: LINC will design and facilitate one distinctive and impactful program specifically for faculty or staff members who commit to further developing their intercultural competence. Details to be announced in December or January. I’m interested. Please contact me.
  • Language Groups: Put yourself in the role of learner and try a new language by participating in a student-led language group. Though these informal groups are created for students, based on their interests, Valpo faculty and staff are also welcome to participate. Fall Language Groups
  • Summer Reading Group 2024 (concluded August 2): A small group of faculty and staff met on five occasions over the summer to progressively read and discuss the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. This short-term group gathered for the last time in early August to view the companion film Origin. Future short-term reading groups will be developed in the coming year.
  • The Intercultural Development Inventory is an online assessment that measures intercultural competence with a range of campus applications. Valpo now has access to the IDI through the generous funding provided by Assistant Vice President Angela Vidal-Rodriguez of the Office of Multicultural Programs. LINC Director Carol Goss is happy to meet with faculty or staff members one-on-one to explore this tool newly available to campus through LINC.

Please contact LINC Director Carol Goss if you know of other helpful online resources.

* LINC Director Carol Goss is currently taking this course and can share her experience, if you are interested in learning more.