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University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
Dr. Nathan Thomas moderates
the panel discussion of how
organizations can leverage diversity
to provide a competitive edge.
LAKELAND,
FL (September 21, 2007) - Diversity can give an organization a competitive edge. That was the message presented today to more than 70 representatives from business, education, health and community organizations at a free conference, “How to Leverage your Competitive Edge Around Diversity,” presented by the Diversity Partnership at USF Lakeland.
The event, which kicked off Multicultural Week 2007, began with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Nathan Thomas, Director, USF Lakeland Office of Diversity. Sharing ways that they leverage diversity to strengthen their organizations were Ruth Hall, District Administrator, School District of Hillsborough County; Dr. Jose Hernandez, Director of Diversity, USF Tampa; Suzanne Jackson, Director, Office of Student Diversity and Enrichment , USF College of Medicine; Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Senior Manager, Pinellas County Economic Development; and Nat West, Vice President, Winter Haven Hospital.
From left,
Dr. Jose Hernandez, Suzanne Jackson, Nat West, Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Ruth Hall, Dr. Nathan Thomas
“USF has phenomenal talent. That gives us a competitive advantage,” said Dr. Hernandez. “We are always listening to our people. By asking questions and working together, we’re not in an ‘us versus them’ situation. We’re moving ahead purposefully but incrementally. Our students value the diversity at USF. The world they’ll work in looks very much like USF. “
Our students value the diversity at USF," says Dr. Jose Hernandez (left). Joining him in the panel discussion are Suzanne Jackson and Nat West.
Following the panel discussion, participants divided into groups for breakout sessions that helped participants understand diversity in their organization by their position and their profession. As an outcome, participants were charged with developing one strategy and accountability measure to leverage diversity as a competitive edge in their organization.
“Several participants from the conference shared with me that the discussion about diversity in education, health, business, and government organizations was very beneficial for understanding successful diversity strategies in other fields,” said Dr. Thomas. “More important, participants were really encouraged about developing a strategy that increased collaborative diversity efforts and hearing the message that individuals don't have to work in isolation, but can share resources and expertise to help their organizations be more successful.”
The Diversity Partnership includes the Central Florida Business Diversity Council, The City of Lakeland, Florida Southern College Life and Cultural Center, Metro Lakeland Vision, Platform Florida, Polk Community College Equity and Diversity Office, Polk County Community Health & Social Services HCAP, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, The School Board of Polk County Diversity Management Dept., Polk Museum of Art, the University of South Florida Lakeland Diversity Office, Word Alive Ministries Community Services Corp., in collaboration with EMERGE Lakeland and United Way of Central Florida.
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