Virtual Learning Community
Don't let fear keep you from engaging
"What If I Say The Wrong Thing?" is a highly rated, short, easily digestible handbook of thought-provoking tips on how to be, and how to help others become, more culturally effective. Author Vernā Myers explores the pitfalls of engaging across difference and offers solutions in powerful but accessible ways.
Participants in the virtual learning community will use the book to recognize challenges, develop tools for more thoughtful interactions across difference, and understand how our attempts at finding connections can be improved with greater awareness and skill development. Most importantly, participants will learn and challenge their fears together!
Interested in hosting a book club for your unit? Contact us at diversity@rutgers.edu.
Book Discussion Group
The Virtual Learning Community (VLC) meets virtually 6 times as a group (each spring and fall) to discuss the book What if I Say The Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People by Vernā A. Myers. The fall 2024 meeting dates are the following Wednesdays via Zoom from 1 to 2 pm: October 9, October 16, October 23, November 6, November 13, and November 20.
Registration for the fall session opens Tuesday, September 3, 2024!
Discussion Guides
The virtual learning community aims to help students, faculty, and staff improve communication across differences and create positive relationships with others in the Rutgers community. In each meeting, we will discuss a theme related to dignity and respect, loosely guided by the chapters that are most relevant.
Meet The Lead
The VLC Book Group lead convenes each session prior to small group discussion and close each session with a larger group reflection.
Kaylin Padovano
What are the benefits of joining a virtual learning community?
92%
of participants surveyed report that they have a greater respect for people who are different from them as well as reporting a greater sense of community with Rutgers colleagues
80%
of participants stated that they are more confident in leading conversations with a diverse group of peers
72%
report feeling less stress when interacting with people different from themselves as a result of participating in the VLC
At the end of the VLC activities, we believe participants will experience:
LinkedIn Learning Courses Led by Vernā Myers
Take Action
Members of Rutgers University’s diverse community may recognize various religious holy days and culturally significant holidays. Learn more about the university policy on religious observance and its impact on students and employees.
A land acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture, and toward inviting and honoring the truth.
We invite all Rutgers faculty, staff, and students to commit to the process of ongoing learning, engagement, and growth related to bias disruption, inclusion building, and belonging through Rutgers LinkedIn Learning.
Speak Up! is a call to action for all members of the university community to respond when they observe bigotry and to be vigilant about disrupting personally held bias.
The Diversity Education Network is a mechanism for amplifying, connecting, and expanding equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice capacity building across Rutgers university for students, staff, and faculty.
Review Rutgers University's first ever Diversity Strategic Plan. Learn how we will realize our institutional commitment to inclusive excellence.