UWO Core Values

Having core values, UWO worked to ensure that they are reflected in practice and in the relationships between members of the school community. Core values act as tree roots for the university, helping them build a positive learning community. These values builds the foundation of the university. Throughout my 4 years at UWO, I have at least participated or experienced each of these values, specifically Diversity and Inclusivity. Diversity and Inclusivity: Many of education courses touch on the diversity of students today and how we should include everyone in our classroom. To be specific, my special education course focused a lot of including students who with a disability. In this course, diversity of opinions were always encouraged especially on how we can differentiate our lessons to meet the needs of all our students. For one of our class assignment, we had to create our own lesson plan for 6th graders. In addition, one of the requirement was including how we would differentiate our lesson plan to meet the needs of students with disabilities. This assignment helped prepared us for work in a global society. No matter what profession you enter, whether it's Nursing, Engineer, Education, etc., you will find yourself working with employers, employees, coworkers, clients, etc., from diverse
background; in my case, my students. By experiencing diversity in college, especially in the classroom, you are becoming more comfortable working and interacting with a variety of individuals. Experiencing diversity in college also enhances your social development.
Many of the courses that I took at least had one day where were participated in group discussions. A great example of this is in my Children's Literature course. In this course, we did a lot of group discussions. However, everyday, we were with different people. This way we not only hear different people's opinion on things, but you get to interact with different people each time. By doing so, we are interacting with people from a variety of groups. It helps prepare you for the outside world in which you will associate and develop relationships by expanding your social circle
group. Lastly, I think that experiencing diversity and inclusivity at UWO enriches the multiple perspectives of society. What it does is that through the general education courses, it helps liberate you from both your and other's viewpoint. During one of the discussion in my Cultural Anthropology course, my professor made a comment along the line of, we shouldn't make assumption or judge another culture because we do not fully understand the culture. I was impacted by this comment because growing up, others have always judge me because I was Asian. They always asked me why I keep doing the things I do and why I always wear those weird bracelets made out of strings. What they do not know is that, in my culture, these strings were tied onto my right hand by my parents as they wished me well and to be safe. By taking this course, I've gained a wider view of the world around me and I do not make quick judgments. Understanding and appreciated diversity is not ensuring you avoid causing offence, but to create a diverse and inclusive society. Rather than just focusing on your major, we should go beyond that. Through liberal education, as the Association of American Colleges and Universities mentioned, "empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change." My last belief is that college will change how you view yourself and your world. When you graduate, you are not the same person. You will be a more knowledgeable, engaged, responsible global citizen.