NYU The Importance of Maintaining Social and Cultural Diversity Discussion

Answer the three questions following the signature field. Responses to each question should be 50 to 75 words.

Here are the 3 questions:

• Why is it important to maintain a career-long exploration of social and cultural diversity issues?
  
• What are at least two multicultural issues associated with professional counseling?
• In addition to racism, what other forms of discrimination are prevalent in the United States culture?

Professional Dispositions

Dispositions are the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues, and communities and which affect student learning and achievement, motivation, and development, as well as the counselor’s own professional growth. If sincerely held, dispositions should lead to actions and patterns of professional conduct.

For University students, these dispositions flow from the University’s mission statement. A values-based education emphasizing community, character, and citizenship in the context of a Christian worldview seeks to teach, reinforce, support, and cause learners to contemplate certain foundational values, which Christianity contends leads to a good life. These normative Christian values are integral to the development and maturity of the students.

Respect for the Diversity of Others

Learners implement the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to meet the needs of students from different cultures, genders, and exceptionalities. Within this nurturing environment, learners express and demonstrate awareness of the important individual and cultural differences that form the rich cultural tapestry of a global society.

Respect for the diversity of others is demonstrated by the following behaviors:

• Embracing diversity in all things.
• Using diversity to cast light on perspective.
• Inviting diversity of thought and practice from others.
• Celebrating the potential of diversity.
• Challenging peers to report inappropriate behavior, providing a positive and supportive environment that allows students to feel safe in reporting it.

Professional Conduct

Counselors should exercise sound judgment and ethical behavior. They should be positive role models within their community.

All University programs of study prepare learners to work in demographically, socioeconomically diverse settings and to anticipate future professional challenges. Counselors must model ethical behavior and exhibit integrity. They maintain confidentiality for patient privacy in cooperation with federal mandates and personal ethics, as well as demonstrate responsibility in areas of leadership, assessment, and organization. They interact appropriately with clients and their families, as well as with peers, faculty, administrators, and external constituents. They exhibit professional traits and skills ranging from punctuality and consistent attendance to proactive attitudes in all settings.

Professional conduct is demonstrated by the following behaviors:

• Exhibiting professionalism (timeliness, attendance, attire, attitudes) in university and school settings.
• Exhibiting initiative and dedication.
• Demonstrating respect for self, colleagues, clients, and property.
• Interacting appropriately and effectively, with clients and their families, peers, faculty, administrators, and external audiences.
• Communicating appropriately, frequently, and effectively.
• Demonstrating responsibility, accountability, integrity, and resourcefulness.
• Actively participating in professional learning communities. Acting in congruence with local, state, and national policies and laws that govern counselors.

Compassion
Counselors should demonstrate professional friendliness, warmth, and genuine caring in their relationships with others while providing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual support.

Learners address the relationship of Christian heritage and servant leadership as it applies to compassion and empathy throughout their academic experience. Volunteering for on- and off-campus events personifies compassionate active engagement and promotes the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth of learners and their students. Faculty demonstration of these objectives is presented through field experiences, hands-on activities, volunteer opportunities, and community outreach programs. Through these, learners exhibit an in-depth understanding of the compassion and emotional support required of professionals in their field. Learners use their professional, academic, and peer relationships to foster skills directly related to the support of others.