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.

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

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

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