Meet the DEI: Chengcheng Zhou

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:03:03 -0500
center, dei, internship, mosaic

The Diversity Educator Interns are a mix of six, talented undergraduate and graduate students who work to fulfill the Mosaic Center's mission and vision. The DEIs co-facilitate cross-cultural and diversity awareness discussions and educational workshops for UMBC student, staff and faculty groups by request. Want to know more or want the DEIs to present to your class or group? Contact mosaic@umbc.edu.

Name: Chengcheng Zhou (Cici)

Major: This is my second semester in UMBC. I’m currently a graduate student in the Intercultural Communication Program.

Q: How is your major applicable to diversity education?

A: As you see, my major is Intercultural Communication. So, basically, what we learn in my program is applying concepts and skills of intercultural communication to different fields ranging from linguistics to politics. The diversity education program contains a lot of cultural exchanges and contacts. It’s the best place that I can think of to apply what I have learned in class to practice.

Q: Why did you decide to apply for the Diversity Educator Internship?

A: For me, the name of Diversity Educator Internship itself is attractive. I think it could be a really good opportunity for me to apply what I’ve learned in class to all the activities in this program. It also opens the floor for me to draw on my previous experiences-- contacting and doing workshops with people from different cultural backgrounds--to help contribute a more respectful, civil and accepting campus.

Q: How would you define diversity?

A: Diversity, for me, is being aware of the differences among people and willing to embrace them with mindfulness.

Q: How does UMBC foster an appreciation for diversity?

A: First, the diversity can be presented in student population. We always can run into people from different culture backgrounds on campus, India, China, Spain, etc.. Second, there are a series of talks open to our campus that address a multitude of issues relevant to diversity.

Q: What are ways that students can participate in advocacy for diversity?

A: I think being a advocate, firstly, is being open-minded to everything that you come across in your daily life. Secondly, be mindful and respective to all those differences that you come across. Of course, participating different workshops and training about diversity is also a good way.

Q: After graduating how will you continue to be an advocate for diversity?

A: I definitely will bring what I’ve learned at UMBC to China. No matter what my career will be in the future, I will introduce the Intercultural Communication to my colleagues and friends.