Intercultural Learning

The development of intercultural competence closely aligns with specific aspects of Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.

• As it relates to the University’s initiative to become an Hispanic Serving Institution (Thrive), intercultural development first brings about an awareness of one’s own cultural perspective(s). One can then begin to build a capacity to navigate difference with greater complexity, supporting a nuanced approach as we serve all students.
• Participation in an intercultural assessment, the Intercultural Development Inventory, can provide faculty, staff, and administrators with a foundational framework as we pursue practices that help us effectively serve and appropriately engage with all students at Valpo. Student participation in this intercultural assessment echoes University Student Learning Objective #5: Students will engage in cross-cultural dialogue and experiences with the requisite knowledge to succeed in a diverse, global community.
• Uplift Valpo contains additional thematic threads that directly relate to intercultural learning:
  • Recognition of the complexities that surround us while embracing opportunities to work toward solutions (Learn, Lead);
  • Reflective engagement that begins with the self and meets people where they are in their development (Serve);
  • Compassionate and ethical leadership in the larger world (Lead).
• Intercultural learning also aligns with Valpo’s cross-disciplinary commitments and has the potential to intersect with future iterations of Valpo Connect.