University of Wisconsin - Extension

The Division of Continuing Education Extension has announced the six recipients of Diversity Program Development Initiative (DPDI) funding for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. "The DPDI provides seed money for UW Institutions to develop and implement new diversity ventures that are consistent with the goals and initiatives outlined in UW-Extension's Plan 2008," said Assistant Dean Kay Taube, who chaired the review committee.

According to Taube, to qualify for consideration as a DPDI, the UW- institution applicants had to team up with a community partner with credibility in the target community and identify the anticipated outcomes and impacts of their program.

The 2000-2001 DPDI funding recipients are:

• The EXPLORE program at UW-Stevens Point. This program is designed to meet the educational and career development needs of the migrant Hispanic population in Portage, Waupaca, and Washara counties.
• The creation of a Diversity/Cultural Team. A partnership among the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Extension, the Wausau/Marathon County Chamber, and the Portage County Business Council will create a Diversity/Cultural Team to provide diversity/cultural education to businesses in Wisconsin.
• The Professional Enrichment and Leadership Development Program. This program focuses training on the needs of the staff of Centro Hispano, human service professionals who provide direct services to the Dane County Latino community. The program is a partnership between the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies and Centro Hispano.
• The hiring of a Hmong Recruiter. The UW-Eau Claire College of Arts and Sciences Continuing Education/Extension will receive DPDI funding to hire a student to recruit students of color, particularly Hmong students, for existing programs. The Hmong Recruiter would work with program coordinators, parents, school officials, personnel of local Hmong Mutual Assistance Associations, and community leaders to foster enrollment in existing pre-college programs.
• The Dismantling Racism through Study Circles project. This project will allow the collaboration among UW-Parkside and two community partners to continue to organize study circles on racism and race relations as a means of organizing community members to move towards change in the Kenosha and Racine communities.
• The Community Outreach in Science program. The UW-La Crosse Office of Continuing Education and Extension and the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse will identify and work with additional community partners to recruit youth of color for a two-day, hands-on summer science program. The program is meant not only to foster interest in science but also create opportunities for underrepresented groups to experience the university atmosphere.

According to Taube, the Continuing Education Extension Dean's Office will make about $50,000 in DPDI funds available annually. Awards are for a maximum of $5,000 and may be used for faculty, staff or ad hoc instructional time; travel, food service and stipends; or educational materials and supplies.