Alum Gary Spiller '00 Delivers Message on Cultural Proficiency

Concordia University, Nebraska’s faculty and staff “welcomed home” Alum Gary L. Spiller II, a veteran educator with an extensive history of student-centered service in both Los Angeles and St. Louis.  Gary, who currently serves as Executive Director of Student Services and Innovation for The School District of University City in Missouri, led a meaningful and engaging all day workshop on the topic of “Cultural Proficiency” for faculty and staff.

This workshop focused on the following:

• Defining race/culture and their impact on our daily lives.
• Having a better understanding of race/culture and the cultural proficiency continuum.
• Reflecting on individual instillation, perspective, and overall awareness as it relates to the essential elements of cultural proficiency.
• Discussing the barriers that may prevent a person, a department, or institution from becoming more culturally proficient.
• Identifying methods and behaviors that will make both individuals and an institution more culturally proficient.

Concordia Faculty and Staff that participated in this workshop shared their own experiences and perspectives on the topic. One of the main take-a-ways was that this workshop was the beginning of a conversation and commitment that we will continue to build a more equitable culture here at Concordia for all of our students, alumni, faculty and staff.