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Kaleidoscope

Committee

The OkACTE Diversity Action Committee meets quarterly to discuss, communicate and create collaborations in ongoing and upcoming initiatives and events that support the goal of enhancing the environment for diversity, inclusion and equity across the Oklahoma Career Tech System.

The Kaleidoscope Committee serves to unite the profession of career and technology and advocate awareness of diversity among OkACTE, the students that are taught, and businesses in which our members are involved. Each of the 12 OkACTE divisions has a chairperson appointed or elected to serve on the committee. 

Kaleidoscope Award

The Kaleidoscope Award has been established to recognize those entities that embrace and promote a sincere commitment to processes and activities that promote a pluralistic campus, community, or agency. These processes and activities must be aimed at developing, improving, and promoting awareness of and opportunities for integrating multiculturalism, gender equity, and those with physical disabilities into career and technology education programs.

 

EXAMPLES of processes and activities may be, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

  • Specialized Intern/Extern programs.

  • Implementing strategies to enhance job placement and upward mobility that reflect a diverse population.

  • Intentional incorporation of heterogeneity within print and/or visual media such as curriculum, brochures, recruitment materials, etc.

  • Developing processes and/or activities for recruiting and retaining a professional multiplicitous staff.

Now Accepting Applications! Apply today! Applications are due May 1st. 

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Recent Kaleidoscope Winners

Read about our most recent Kaleidoscope award winning program below. 

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2024 | Bilingual Services at Autry- Maria Palma

Maria Palma, in her impactful role at Autry Tech, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to embracing and championing diversity within the tech center and the local community.

 

As a bilingual professional, Maria goes above and beyond, frequently serving as a crucial link in facilitating communication across various departments during the enrollment process. Maria firmly believes that language should never be a barrier preventing students from accessing quality education opportunities. Recognizing the significance of her language proficiency, she recently initiated a discussion with Autry Tech's leadership team to explore the possibility of providing stipends for bilingual employees like herself. These stipends would compensate individuals who contribute by translating on campus beyond their regular job responsibilities.

 

Maria's foresight in advocating for stipends reflects her dedication to ensuring that language barriers do not hinder the delivery of educational services. Her proposal recognizes the invaluable role that bilingual employees play in enhancing the educational experience for students. This initiative is particularly crucial as Autry Tech serves a Hispanic population comprising approximately 15% of the total community. Maria's efforts not only contribute to breaking down language barriers but also ensure that Autry Tech can effectively cater to the diverse needs of its community members.

 

Maria was also sought out by our local Main Street Enid organization to play a pivotal role in orchestrating an event tailored for Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners in our community. This initiative aimed to forge connections within this specific demographic, linking them with essential services to fortify their businesses. Taking the lead in organizing and promoting the event, Maria showcased her design and promotional expertise by creating materials in both English and Spanish.

 

In addition to her creative contributions, Maria actively engaged with various organizations and professionals, enlisting their participation to provide information about their services in Spanish. Her proactive approach and adept coordination resulted in the event's resounding success, drawing in more than 60 business owners and entrepreneurs. Maria's efforts not only facilitated valuable connections but also underscored her dedication to fostering inclusivity and support within the local business community. Her impactful leadership and commitment to diversity have left an enduring mark on this initiative and exemplify her exceptional contributions to our community.

 

Maria has also recently embarked on an initiative to provide short-term design courses in Spanish through Autry Tech's Adult Career Development department. Demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity, Maria has tailored the Canva curriculum to cater specifically to the needs of our Spanish-speaking population.

 

Her efforts extend beyond conventional educational offerings, as she seeks to make design education accessible and relevant to a broader audience. By adapting the curriculum to the linguistic preferences of Spanish speakers, Maria ensures that individuals within this community have the opportunity to enhance their design skills in a language that resonates with them. This innovative approach reflects Maria's dedication to breaking down language barriers and creating educational opportunities that are culturally sensitive and impactful.

 

Maria Palma showcases an unparalleled dedication to diversity, inclusivity, and educational accessibility in her role at Autry Tech. Her proactive efforts in breaking down language barriers, evidenced by her role as a crucial link during enrollment and her advocacy for stipends for bilingual employees, underscore her commitment to ensuring quality education for all. Maria's impactful leadership in orchestrating a successful event for Hispanic entrepreneurs reflects her ability to foster connections and support within the local business community. Furthermore, her innovative approach to providing design courses in Spanish through Autry Tech's Adult Career Development department demonstrates her commitment to making education culturally sensitive and relevant. Maria Palma's multifaceted contributions leave an enduring mark, making her a standout candidate for recognition and appreciation.

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Events

Kaleidoscope Symposium

The Kaleidoscope Committee has committed to hosting an annual event, the Diversity Symposium. The Diversity Symposium has addressed issues such as Unconscious Biases, Generational Differences, LGBTQ+ issues and more. The Diversity Symposium is open to any OkACTE member to attend. This event is typically hosted annually in November. Next Kaleidoscope Symposium will be scheduled in November of 2025.

Partners in Change Lecture Series

The Kaleidoscope Committee invites you to join the Partners in Change Lecture series. This series is designed to educate OkACTE members on issues and topics in a webinar-style platform that provides comfort in exploring topics, engagement with the speaker, and the convenience of joining from anywhere. All sessions are scheduled to begin at 12 pm and will last an hour. Registration is required. Schedule coming soon.

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