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Learning Objective #1: *Identify countries of origin to demonstrate diversity of student population *Define cultural sensitivity

Learning Objective #2: *Become acquainted with techniques from both the literature and "lived experience" which educators can use to stimulate cultural awareness and tolerance of others

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Faculty-Student Interactions that Promote Cultural Sensitivity Abstract: As a faculty member who has taught culturally diverse students from more than 30 different countries for more than 25 years in a private, suburban university and a public university, I have learned that neither is everyone white, Anglo-Saxon like myself, nor do they share my belief system. What I have found is that students are proud of their cultural heritage, are anxious and willing to share their culture/beliefs with others and, are more similar than dissimilar. After working with this culturally diverse population for so many years, I feel that I have helped them to become more tolerant and accepting of others. This session will provide the participant with both examples from the literature and the presenters “lived experiences” that have been utilized to help better understand diverse student populations. Results of a focus group between faculty and students will be shared. Practical approaches and ideas will be discussed. At the end of this presentation the participant will be able to: 1) identify countries of origin to demonstrate diversity of student population; 2) define cultural sensitivity; 3) list objectives set for students r/t promotion of cultural sensitivity; 4) be acquainted with techniques from both the literature and personal experience which educators can use to stimulate cultural awareness and tolerance of others; and, 5) share his/her experiences with culturally diverse students and strategies which promote cultural awareness. Participants should be prepared to dialogue about techniques used to encourage students and faculty to celebrate differences. “All of us are smarter than any of us.”