The Intercultural Development and Education to Action (IDEA) Institute

The IDEA Institute is a year-long program enabling faculty and staff to deepen intercultural learning and development to expand critical consciousness in their current work. Participants will complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI©), create a personalized development plan, and engage in development sessions and experiential learning activities to advance their intercultural learning, competencies, and practices.

Participation in this cohort experience will culminate in individual projects directly related to participants’ functions on campus, Unit 1 goals, or performance appraisal goals. Participants will receive an IDEA Institute Completion Certificate upon completing all Institute requirements.

 

IDEA Institute Goals

By participating in the IDEA Institute, faculty and staff deepen their intercultural learning, strengthen their capacity to support belonging and well-being, and contribute to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s commitment to creating a community where all can thrive, aligning with the goals of Boldly ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.

The IDEA Institute curriculum draws on research and evidence-based frameworks to guide participants through four interconnected areas of growth.

Curriculum Themes

  • Understand Yourself
    Deepen awareness of your identity, experiences, assumptions, and intercultural development; how they shape the ways you engage with others on campus.
  • Engage Across Difference
    Build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to communicate, develop relationships, and work effectively across different identities, perspectives, and experiences.
  • Examine Systems
    Explore how culture, history, power, and organizational practices influence experiences of belonging and well-being.
  • Take Action
    Translate learning into meaningful action by identifying opportunities within your role and area of influence to strengthen inclusion and help create a community where all can thrive.

 

Program Structure and Time Commitment

IDI Assessment and Individualized Coaching (minimum 7 hours)

The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI©) serves as a foundation for the Intercultural Development and Education to Action (IDEA) Institute. Each participant will complete the IDI, a comprehensive assessment that provides useful feedback to individuals about how they engage cultural diversity and identifies issues that may be impeding them from bridging more effectively across cultural differences. Each participant will receive a Intercultural Development Plan (IDP), a customized plan that guides individuals through a series of developmentally appropriate activities and self-reflections.

Participants will be invited to participate in at least 7 individualized coaching sessions (3-4 hours each semester). These one-on-one sessions offer personalized guidance and support, helping participants create tailored development plans to enhance their intercultural learning process.

Group Development and Education Sessions - Fall (9 hours)

In the Fall, IDEA Institute cohort members will meet for six 1 1/2 hours of group development and education sessions designed to engage in dialogue across difference and foster collective growth.

The first session provides participants with an overview of the program (including an understanding of the IDI©, an opportunity to begin reflecting on their participation in the program, and an introductory overview of some frameworks used to think about intercultural development and engaging across difference. The format is interactive and informal snacks and materials are provided.

The remaining sessions will support participants as they work through their respective Intercultural Development Plans (IDPs). Through a group coaching approach with guided discussions and activities, participants will engage in self-reflection about opportunities and challenges they face navigating cultural differences and deepen their intercultural understanding of others. By the end of the Fall semester, participants will identify goals to increase intercultural competence and design a project directly related to their function on campus, Unit 1 goals, or performance appraisal goals.

The shared journey through group development and education sessions encourages accountability, builds community, and enhances the application of intercultural skills in personal and professional settings. These sessions provide a supportive and collaborative environment where participants can share experiences, challenges, and insights while working towards their individual goals. Participants must commit to attending the group sessions to complete the program. 

Project Development and Mastermind Sessions - Spring (7.5 hours)

By the end of the Fall semester, participants will identify goals to increase intercultural competence and design a project directly related to their function on campus, Unit 1 goals, or performance appraisal goals.

Starting in Winter term and Spring semester, participants will work more autonomously on their project that will address an aspect of intercultural engagement they would like to develop more fully. Cohort members will be invited to five 1 1/2 hours sessions to participate in the Mastermind technique as they work on their respective projects. The Mastermind technique provides an innovative platform for collaborative problem-solving and strategic thinking. By engaging in facilitated peer-to-peer discussions, participants come together to address challenges and/or brainstorm actionable solutions as they progress toward their respective intercultural development goals and projects. In these sessions, faculty and staff participants can uncover new approaches, gain valuable feedback, and accelerate their learning and development. Participants must commit to attending the Mastermind sessions to complete the program. 

Intercultural Learning Opportunities - Fall/Spring (minimum 6 hours)

Throughout the program, IDEA Institute Participants will be expected to participate in at least 6 hours Intercultural Learning Opportunities (ILOs) of their choice throughout the year as part of their transformative journey. Grounded in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI©) and Intercultural Development Plan (IDP), these activities provide a structured approach to advancing participants’ intercultural learning and achieving respective individual goals. According to the IDI, participants can enhance their personal growth and move forward in their intercultural development with consistent and targeted engagement with ILOs. Participants must commit to completing ILOs and will be expected to complete short reflections in Canvas about their ILO activities.

Reflection Retreat - Spring (2 hours)

At the end of the academic year, the cohort will gather for a two-hour retreat/luncheon to share updates, discuss feedback, and provide peer support as participants work through or complete their personal projects and IDP goals. This will be an opportunity to reflect on individual and group intercultural learning processes during the Institute and to discuss ongoing commitment to engage in intercultural learning activities. We will also discuss poster presentations and the graduation celebration marking the completion of the Institute.

Presentation and Celebration

At the start of the next academic year, participants will have an opportunity to showcase their intercultural learning journey through presentations/panel discussion at a celebration with invited colleagues and university leadership.

 

Participant Information

IDEA Institute is designed for full-time faculty and staff who are willing to challenge themselves, deepen their capacity to engage in inclusive excellence efforts, and explore how their learning can inform meaningful action in their work at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.

Participants should be prepared to commit to the full Institute experience and dedicate the time necessary to fully engage in all program components. Because IDEA requires sustained participation throughout the program, applicants must also have the support and approval of their supervisor as part of the application process.

Who should Consider IDEA Institute?

  • Early- or Mid-career Faculty and Staff with Leadership Aspirations: Colleagues who are ready to expand their critical consciousness and use intercultural insights to shape their current or future leadership roles, particularly in decision-making related to curricular or co-curricular inclusive excellence initiatives.
  • Faculty and Staff with Unit-Specific Goals: Individuals who are seeking intentional support in aligning their intercultural learning with specific goals tied to their department’s inclusive excellence initiatives, or their own performance appraisal or Unit 1 objectives.
  • Staff and Faculty Working with Student Leaders: Colleagues committed to enhancing their ability to support ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s diverse student population, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being inside and outside the classroom.
  • Staff and Faculty Engaged in Intra/Interdepartmental Collaborations: Those who want to strengthen their ability to recognize biases and appropriately adapt behaviors while collaborating across cultural differences within or across departmental projects and initiatives.
  • Faculty and Staff Seeking Community: We know that engaging in inclusive excellence and DEI work can be both rewarding and challenging. This program offers a supportive community for individuals passionate about developing their intercultural competencies who are looking for space to reflect, share, and apply new insights within their professional roles.

 

IDEA Institute Application and Schedule

This year, the IDEA Institute is excited to welcome a cohort of 8 dedicated faculty and staff members. Applicants accepted into the Institute are committing to yearlong involvement (September 2026 – August 2027).

Applications for the ’26-’27 AY must be submitted by or before noon on Friday, September 4, 2026.

2026-2027 IDEA Calendar

Application Period:

  • Wednesday, August 20 – Friday, September 4

Participants Notification/Invitation:

  • Tuesday, September 8

Complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI©):

  • Tuesday, September 8 – Monday, September 24

Fall ’26 Group Development and Education Sessions: (Wednesdays; 1-2:30pm)

  • September 23
  • September 30
  • October 14
  • October 28
  • November 11
  • December 9

Spring ’27 Project Development and Mastermind Sessions (Wednesdays; Time TBD)

  • February 10
  • February 24
  • March 10
  • April 14
  • May 12

Reflection Retreat

  • Wednesday, May 26, 11:30am – 2:00pm

Summer ’27 Check-In:

(Days and Time TBD, developed by Cohort)

Presentation and Celebration:

  • August 2027 (Tentatively Wednesday of Planning Week)

**Individualized coaching sessions and Intercultural Learning Opportunities (ILOs) are scheduled based on each participant’s availability.

Application Questions

Please respond to the following questions in no more than 1,000 words total (approximately two single-spaced pages, 12-point font). If attaching a file, please include your name as a header.

  • Motivation & Readiness
    What motivates you to participate in the IDEA Institute at this point in your professional journey? What are you hoping to learn, explore, or better understand about yourself and your work?
  • Intercultural Growth
    What is one area of your intercultural learning or critical self-awareness that you would like to strengthen? Why is this area important to your personal or professional growth?
  • Navigating Difference
    Describe a situation or recurring challenge in your work where navigating cultural differences, perspectives, identities, or experiences is important. How do you currently approach these situations, and what would you like to be better equipped to do?
  • From Learning to Action
    IDEA emphasizes moving from learning and reflection to meaningful action. Where do you see an opportunity within your role, team, department, or area of influence to apply what you learn through the Institute? You do not need to have a specific project identified at this stage.