Increase Understanding

Approaching each other with openness and understanding is the foundation for developing a more welcoming community. The learning opportunities below offer some baseline information on working in a diverse environment. 

Learning Opportunities

  • Building cultural competency

    Building cultural competency

    Organizations value collaboration and cultural diversity but the reality of working together across cultures can be challenging and confusing.  This two-hour session explores some of the communication barriers and value differences inherent in the intercultural workplace as well as some tips for improving cross-cultural communication skills and developing cultural empathy.  Participants will have an opportunity to explore their own intercultural work experiences.

    Audience: Faculty, staff
    Format: In-person course, offered by the Office of Human Resources

  • Challenging stereotypes

    Challenging stereotypes

    This three-hour training session, titled "OUCH, That Stereotype Hurts," helps individuals gain communication skills for success in today's diverse world and at the same time, play a part in creating a fairer, more respectful workplace and society. Participants will learn to understand the impact of stereotypes and biased statements, even when casually said; identify the most common reasons people sit silent in the face of bias and stereotypes; and enhance skills for speaking up against stereotypes without blame or guilt.
    Audience: Faculty, staff
    Format: In-person course, offered by the Office of Human Resources

  • Sexual harassment prevention

    Sexual harassment prevention

    This required course, "Preventing Sexual Harassment," provides an overview of Princeton's policy prohibiting sexual harassment, helps individuals identify types of behavior that may violate our policies, and outlines the procedures and campus resources for reporting instances of sexual harassment. Through interactive quizzes and scenarios, this program covers the nuances and subtleties that exist in situations where sexual harassment can occur. 

    Audience: Faculty, staff
    Format: Online course, offered by the University
    More information: Faculty and staff will receive a customized link to access the program directly from the vendor, Campus Answers.  For more information regarding the program, please go to the Frequently Asked Questions.

Lectures & Discussions

  • Academic courses

    Academic courses

    Cultural and ethnic diversity is one of the major defining characteristics of intellectual as well as community life at Princeton, and a wide range of courses in the Princeton curriculum offer students the opportunity to analyze cultural diversity and cross-cultural encounters. The majority of the courses listed focus directly on racial and ethnic identity and diversity in the United States; a smaller number deal more broadly with cross-cultural encounter within and beyond the Americas.

    Audience: Students
    Format: Semester-long academic courses, offered by the University
    More information: View a list (.pdf) of academic courses on cross-cultural and diversity-related topics.

  • Campus lectures and discussions

    Campus lectures and discussions

    Regular events and lecture series provide opportunities to learn about identity, inclusion and cultural competencies. The Fields Center, Women*s Center, LGBT Center, Davis International Center and Office of Religious Life program calendars are great places to start. The central Public Events Calendar has additional items from around campus.


    Audience: Faculty, staff, students
    Format: Campus program calendars

  • Costs and benefits of diversity

    Costs and benefits of diversity

    In this 45-minute video, "The Costs and Benefits of Diversity on College Campuses," Professor Scott Page of the University of Michigan shares research about the benefits of diversity for effective problem-solving and innovation.
    Audience: Faculty, staff, students
    Format: Video, offered by the University
    More Information: Watch the video.

Resources for