How to Gain Cultural Proficiency and Accommodate Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Communication Centers

Abstract

In “How to Gain Cultural Proficiency and Accommodate Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Communication Centers” the author explores how Communication Centers can better act as a site of intervention for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming students. Karim & Ross’ chapter “Enhancing Cultural Proficiency” in Students Helping Students: A Guide for Peer Educators on College Campuses is referenced as the ground work for how to engage in cultural understanding and cultural accommodating behavior. Through examining Karim & Ross’ idea of cultural proficiency, the author explores ways for communication centers to gain in cultural awareness, cultural fluency, and culturally tolerance. These steps towards cultural proficiency include, education for student staff and faculty, administrative practices catered towards student selected self-disclosure, and lastly communication center goals related to the success of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming students, whether or not student staff or faculty are directly impacted by the issues Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming students face. This research was completed in hopes that positive strides towards the safety, productivity, success, and intervention of Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming within college campus and communication centers alike.