About 70 NIU faculty and staff gathered at the Holmes Student Center on Feb. 28 for a professional development workshop sponsored by the College of Health and Human Sciences and the Northeast Illinois Area Health Education Center (NE-IL AHEC). 
The event featured Dr. Mylon Kirksy, founder of Sidebar Education Consulting Group and assistant vice president of resident life at the University of Texas at Austin. Kirksy has more than two decades of experience in higher education and is a certified trainer and facilitator for Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), an experiential learning tool designed to improve organizational, team and individual outcomes related to intercultural competency.
“The event focused on shifting the paradigm by addressing biases and honing practical communication skills that can be applied in both professional and personal settings,” said Deyci Ramirez, director of the Northeast Illinois Area Health Education Center (NE-IL AHEC).
Through interactive sessions, participants learned practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations and addressing biases, enabling them to create more supportive, respectful and productive environments. Kirksy’s activities required participants to reserve judgement, assume good intentions of others and practice effective communication.
“We wanted to create a space where faculty and staff could not only challenge their assumptions but also walk away with actionable tools that they can implement immediately,” Ramirez said. “The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear that the workshops sparked meaningful conversations about how we can continue to improve our interactions both in and outside the classroom.” 
Courtney Hughes, professor of public health, shared the sentiment.
“The speaker made the session interactive, and I learned from it,” Hughes said. “Not only was the content interesting, but the atmosphere was collaborative, and people felt comfortable sharing. I appreciate having the opportunity to participate in this training.”
Ramirez said the workshop demonstrates the university’s commitment to professional growth and to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment for students.
“The turnout was fantastic, and it’s inspiring to see how dedicated our community is to learning and growing together,” Ramirez said.
Sherrill Morris, associate dean for academic affairs, agreed.
“Our faculty and staff will take the lessons learned back to their classroom and community,” Morris said. “In turn, this workshop addresses a key Area Health Education Center goal of preparing a healthcare workforce that can address the needs of all communities.”
