Training provided staff and faculty with some of the best cultural practices to help students succeed

Cultural Sensitivity Training:  The participants and presenters at the recent Cultural Sensitivity Training seminar include Janelle Lujan, James Fathal, presenter/trainer Dr. James Perez Viernes, trainer Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori, Dr. Kathrine J. Gutierrez, Rhodora Uy, Evander Deguzman, Norma Guevarra, Venus L. Ituralde, Sallie S. Sablan, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Sallie L.T. McDonald, Pacita C. Aguon, Mylene B. Marasigan, Reina Guevarra Paco, Dr. William Jerrery, Cynthia Borja, Colar Simpson Warner, Dr. Christopher Garcia-Santos, Teresita L. Perez and Norman Analista. 

UOG’s Triton Advising Center hosted its first cultural sensitivity training for faculty and staff over three days through February 1, 2023.  Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori, an educator, author, public speaker, and native of Guam, who is the director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Hawaii; and Dr. James Viernes, also from Guam and a former UOG faculty member and alumnus, who is the deputy director of the same program at the East-West Center, provided the training.

The training, which was part of professional development for faculty and staff, provide some of the best cultural practices and approaches when advising students at UOGThe three-day training focused on bridging the gap between one’s own cultural practices and professional support services in light of the University’s multicultural student population as well as its multicultural staff.  The training is aimed at helping UOG staff to facilitate awareness of the importance of diverse communities to help students succeed even after they receive their degrees from the University.