The Winona State University CLASP Lecture Series will host “Assets vs. Deficits” with Robert Howman at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Stark Auditorium 103 as part of the 2015-16 University Theme, Equity as a Human Right: Building Inclusive Community.
Howman will speak about the cultural deficit perspective, which views certain cultures and groups as having limitations that must be overcome. Howman will explain that because this perspective is largely based on negative stereotypes and assumptions, it fails to recognize strengths. Howman will discuss how a truly inclusive community will focus on the assets of every individual and is an environment in which no one feels disadvantaged by his or her background but instead is empowered by it.
Howman is an assistant professor of leadership education at Winona State University. Formerly, Howman has served at-risk youth, including students with disabilities, English language learners, gang/adjudicated youth, children of immigrant and refugee families, economically disadvantaged students and those who are homeless, all over the nation.
Howman also worked in the civil rights arena for many years (advocacy, policy development, jurisprudence, consultation).
The 2015-16 University Theme, Equity as a Human Right: Building Inclusive Community, is about upholding people’s rights, valuing diversity, challenging intolerance, and making institutional change around issues of social justice. For WSU and its communities, partnering around a university theme has proven to be an effective strategy for bringing faculty, staff, students, and community members to the engagement table. The year-long focus will enable students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider Winona and Rochester communities to explore the intersections of identities, cultures, and abilities.
This event is free and open to the public and is available for stream via ITV in UCR ST 116 on the Rochester campus.
For more information, contact David Speetzen at DSpeetzen@winona.edu.
