Intercultural Competence Development
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Salve Regina's intercultural competence development program offers professional development and leadership opportunities that allow students, faculty and staff to deepen their cultural understanding and communication. Through this program, we seek to build a common language and culture, develop core skills and assess the impact of our efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming campus community.
Using intentional learning opportunities that can be measured and assessed, the intercultural competence development program seeks to broaden conversations, solicit widespread community input and lay the groundwork for continued improvement through open dialogue.
Interested in joining the intercultural competence development program? Contact Dr. Letizia Gambrell-Boone, vice president for student affairs, or Dr. Sami Nassim, assistant vice president for diversity initiatives and retention.
2022-2023 Timeline for Faculty and Staff
- Finalize cohort participants and complete IDI test – by Sept. 25
- Complete IDI group debrief – by Sept. 30
- Complete IDI individual debrief – by Oct. 15
- Professional development series: Human Resources – October
- Fall Multicultural Education Week – Oct. 23-28
- Professional development series: Multicultural Programs and Retention – November
- Professional development series: Center for Teaching and Learning – December
- MLK Week – Jan. 16-20
- Professional development series: Human Resources – February
- Spring Multicultural Education Week – Feb. 26 to March 3
- Professional development series: Multicultural Programs and Retention – March
- Mercy Summit on Equity and Inclusion – April 7 (tentative)
- Professional development series: Center for Teaching and Learning – April
- End-of-year individual meetings – April 15 to May 15
- End-of-year group debrief – May 31
2022-2023 Timeline for Students
- Finalize cohort participants and complete IDI test – by Sept. 25
- Complete IDI group debrief – by Sept. 30
- Complete IDI individual debrief – by Oct. 15
- Fall Multicultural Education Week – Oct. 23-28
- Multicultural leadership retreat – Nov. 18-20
- MLK Week – Jan. 16-20
- Spring Multicultural Education Week – Feb. 26 to March 3
- Mercy Summit on Equity and Inclusion – April 7 (tentative)
- End-of-year individual meetings – April 15 to May 1
- End-of-year group debrief – 1
- Join the Multicultural Student Organization
- Join the multicultural living learning community in fall 2023
Intercultural Development Inventory
The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) is a theory-based assessment designed to evaluate an individual's capability to shift cultural perspectives and appropriately adapt behaviors to cultural differences and commonalities. The IDI provides a pathway for the campus community to develop a common language around intercultural competence and to assess the University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- The IDI is developmental. It facilitates cooperative conversations and actions directed toward growth and development rather than judgment and resistance.
- The IDI is extensive. It provides in-depth insights that integrate qualitative information about how an individual or group engages cultural differences in their daily interactions with others.
- The IDI is actionable. Individuals who complete the IDI receive a customized plan that guides them through activities and self-reflections that developmentally build intercultural competence.
- The IDI has wide applications. These applications include individual and group feedback and development of intercultural competence along with baseline assessments and organizational development.
- The IDI is validated. It has been rigorously tested and is validated to provide a powerful and accurate profile of respondents’ orientations toward a wide range of "other culture" groups.
Qualified Administrators
Salve Regina has a cohort of staff members who are trained and licensed to administer the Intercultural Development Inventory. These qualified administrators:
- Facilitate discussions on inventory results for individuals or groups
- Administer future assessments to the Salve Regina community
- Consult with individuals who desire to advance their cultural competence
- Serve as resources on cultural competency initiatives
Esther Alarcon-Arana
Associate professor, Department of Modern Languages
Rose Albert
Associate director, Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention
Amy Cady
Director, Mercy Center for Spiritual Life
Nancy Escher
Associate vice president and chief human resources officer
Kathleen Farley
Executive director of signature experience initiatives
Kaitlin Gabriele-Black
Associate professor, Department of Psychology
Letizia Gambrell-Boone
Vice president for student affairs
McKenzie McNamara
Health education and prevention coordinator
Jim Mournighan
Director, Office of Residence Life
Sami Nassim
Assistant vice president for diversity initiatives and retention
Michael Pimental
Chief of staff
Tracy Pelkowski
Associate professor, Department of Education
Bill Villareal
Associate director, Athletics