Established in 2005, the CTL was created as a professional development branch of CSM – dedicated to providing courses and services to help both native-born Americans and international professionals and immigrants in the process of cultural, economic and professional integration.

Since then, its programs have grown and developed in other areas. The CTL currently offers classes in Spanish language studies, interpreter training and English language acquisition – along with the newly-created Cultural Competence Seminar.

“This seminar addresses the set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together among professionals – enabling them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations,” said Dr. Renzo Rosales, coordinator of the CTL. “It is delivered in one to four modules, depending on the company’s needs, and is designed for individuals who come in contact with or respond to people from various cultural backgrounds on a regular basis.”

The objectives of the seminar include: Providing frameworks of reference to promote awareness of the challenges and concerns of being in a multicultural environment; Creating greater understanding of cultural diversity in Omaha and the surrounding communities; Expanding frameworks of reference to mitigate ethnocentrism, racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and inequities in our society; and reducing intergroup conflicts and promoting intergroup cooperation.

Designed to be flexible, the seminar can be tailored to meet the needs of an organization via a selection of modules. The modules address the topics of self-assessment in regards to one’s own cultural reality, references on cultural sensitivity and awareness, the changing cultural landscape of Omaha, and cultural competence case studies.

Organizations interested in the seminar should contact Rosales at 402-390-1902 or mrosales@csm.edu. Information is also available at csm.edu/CTLCulture.