The Dialogue: Diversity, Dietitians, and Demystifying Difficult Conversations Workshop Follow-Up Meeting

Please join us for the 2nd part of our Dialogue workshop on Dec 15th. We'll do a brief review of the 1st workshop and discuss ways participants have shared or implemented what they've learned. We'll also share an opportunity on how you can get reimbursed for a MIG membership! The 1st workshop was such a hit that we really hope to see everyone at the follow-up as well! Please contact Tina Lam or Lisa Arteaga with questions.

Click here for the zoom link

Date: October 20, 2021
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CST
CEUs: 2

• Engender inclusivity in the profession so that diverse members find welcoming supportive environments to learn and engage.
• Recognize one’s own capacity for empathy and the role empathy plays in inclusivity.
• Foster inclusive learning and working environments for diverse members.
• Mitigate the isolation that diverse members experience when entering non-diverse dietetic environments.

3.1.1,  3.1.2,  3.2.8,  4.2.1

Intended Audience: The intended audience for the inaugural workshop includes dietitians that are in supervisory roles or otherwise support workplace operations and procedures such as clinical nutrition managers, community program supervisors, food service managers, program directors and assistant directors, etc. The goal is that these leaders in dietetics will take what they’ve learned back to their respective organizations to share and implement what they've learned with those they work with in order to foster a more welcoming and inclusive workspace for all.  

Eric Meredith, MEd, MS, RDN, CHES - Host

Eric Meredith, a classically trained chef, Registered Dietitian, and Certified Health Education Specialist, supports healthy food access and food sovereignty for federally recognized Tribes at the United States Department of Agriculture. Eric also serves as a part-time diversity consultant for Feeding America where he provides technical assistance to food bank network members engaged in intercultural competence work. Eric’s experience as a nutrition, fitness, and public health expert spans more than 15 years. He has represented health organizations as media spokesperson by appearing on various television and radio shows including ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and WGN. In his spare time, Eric enjoys being a superhero for health and uses comic books and technology to make complex health information engaging and easy to understand for youth.

Dr. Jessica Joslin - Speaker

Dr. Jessica (Jess) Joslin is the Director of UIC Dialogue Initiative and Diversity Education in the Office of the Dean of Students. Jess directs UIC's dialogue efforts and works closely with partners from across the University to share dialogic pedagogy and tools. Prior to coming to UIC, Jess worked in diversity and instructional consulting at the University of Michigan, and as a hospital chaplain. Jess received her Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Michigan. Additionally, she holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard University, a M.A. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s from Northwestern University.

Dr. Charu Thakrul - Speaker

Dr. Charu Thakral is the Senior Associate Vice Provost for Diversity and has been with the UIC Office of Diversity since its founding. She has served in a number of leadership positions at UIC, including Interim Vice Provost & Associate Chancellor twice. Dr. Thakral oversees diversity education across the campus, including the development of workshops and trainings for students, faculty, and staff. In 2009, she launched the UIC Dialogue Initiative in which she developed credit-bearing courses and workshops designed to analyze and understand social conflict, intergroup relations, and issues of diversity and justice. In this capacity, she has pioneered innovative ways to integrate these educational opportunities within the humanities, social science, and health science disciplines. Dr. Thakral is currently participating on several grant funded projects awarded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation where she is developing professional development for faculty focused on inclusive pedagogical practices. She also serves as adjunct faculty in the College of Education, College of Medicine, and Honors College. Dr. Thakral’s training as a counseling psychologist specializing in multicultural theory and competence and her significant contributions to society were recently recognized by Loyola University’s School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award and the Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award.