Cultural Competence Academy (CCA)
The UNLV Cultural Competence Academy (CCA) will provide a series of workshops, seminars, and training sessions designed to provide opportunities for members of the UNLV collegiate community to develop the knowledge, skills and awareness related to cultural issues and working with diverse populations.
The CCA will serve as the first step in establishing a strong and viable cultural competence program that relies upon the expertise of members of the UNLV faculty and staff in its overall design and implementation.
The target audience for the CCA includes, but is not limited to, individuals in decision making positions, current and future search committee members, and those wishing to engage in dialogue that serves as a catalyst for continued and future growth in the area of cultural competence.
The goal of the academy is to provide a balanced curriculum that meets the variety of skill and interest levels of the target audience, presented by speakers of the highest quality who represent the diversity of the UNLV collegiate community.
The topics for the CCA include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
- Awareness – Awareness is consciousness of one's personal reactions to people who are different
- Attitude – An examination of one’s own beliefs and values about cultural differences.
- Knowledge – The consistency with value and belief systems about equality and one’s actions.
- Skills – The practice of cultural competence, including gestures and other non-verbal communication.
What is Cultural Competence?
Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or professional and enable that system, agency or professional to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
Culture: implies the integrated pattern of human behavior that includes thought, communication, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of a racial, ethnic, religious or social group.
Competence: implies having the capacity to function effectively.
Culturally Competent System: acknowledges and incorporates–at all levels–the importance of culture, the assessment of cross-cultural relations, vigilance towards the dynamics that result from cultural differences, the expansion of cultural knowledge and the adaptation of services to meet culturally unique needs.
Source: Terry L. Cross, M.S.W. Cultural Competence Continuum. 1989