An environment of belonging is an inclusive one

Embracing diverse perspectives in and across an organization allows you to see the world of business in ways you might not see on your own, as well as solve complex problems and reach diverse communities. Focusing on inclusion in business requires intentionality, otherwise you risk failing your colleagues and consumers. In this certificate, you will clarify what inclusive leadership is by analyzing the role identity, unconscious bias, inclusive language, and allyship play in the workplace. Upon completion of the certificate you will be able to act on becoming a more inclusive leader through reflection and changed behavior.

Here's what you'll learn:

Explain the importance of inclusion in the workplace
Identify multiple actions and behaviors of an inclusive leader
Apply inclusive concepts to various situations
Reflect on personal areas of growth related to being an inclusive leader
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Introduction to Inclusive Leadership

This course provides an introduction to inclusive leadership, including understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion, common terminology, and introductions to several DEI topics.

Understanding Identity

Belonging can be difficult when others don’t accept you, but it can be even harder when you don’t accept or understand yourself. For this reason, creating inclusive environments starts with the self-awareness to both know and accept your whole self.

Business not Bias

Our brains process a lot of information and creates unconscious biases that can often be seen in the way we engage with others. While we can’t eliminate our biases, we can learn how to recognize them and mitigate their impact on our relationships.

Reframing Respect

You might have experienced microaggressions, and you might have been the aggressor. These comments aren't so tiny, and they can be disrespectful. This course looks at microaggressions from a lens of understanding and empowerment to reframe respect.

Advocating for Allyship

Diversity should be celebrated for the different perspectives and value each person can bring, but not everyone is provided the same opportunities. This course covers allyship in terms of understanding its importance and what it looks like in action.

Inclusive Leadership Certificate Assessment

This course is the final assessment for the Inclusive Leadership Certificate. All other courses for the certificate's completion must be completed prior to this course.

Earn your Inclusive Leadership certificate

Complete all of the courses and earn your certificate

About the Certificate
Target Audience

This certificate is intended for collegiate students with little to no background in diversity, equity, or inclusion training interested in increasing their knowledge about inclusive leadership.

Eligibility/Prerequisites

To participate in this certificate, individuals must be an initiated member of Alpha Kappa Psi. There are no additional educational prerequisites.

Assessments Included

To demonstrate learning and be awarded the certificate, individuals will complete ungraded formative knowledge checks throughout each course, as well as a scored cumulative examination as part of the final reflection course.

Icons & text

  • Introduction to Inclusive Leadership

    • Define inclusive leadership
    • Explain the difference between equity and equality
    • Define various diversity, equity, and inclusion terms

  • Understanding Identity

    • Describe the differences between fixed and variable identities
    • Explain the role identity plays in relationship building
    • Examine the impact of codeswitching on environments
    • Explore how to increase acceptance through building authentic

  • Business Not Bias

    • Define unconscious bias
    • Examine the impact of unconscious bias on relationships and environments
    • Examine personal biases
    • Explore methods to reduce biased behaviors

  • Reframing Respect

    • Identify the types and examples of microaggressions
    • Explain the effects of microaggressions
    • Examine responses to various situations where microaggressions occur
    • Evaluate how to plan for personal and group accountability

  • Advocating for Allyship

    • Describe the need for allyship
    • Explain the difference between performative and authentic allyship
    • Examine actions and behaviors of allies
    • Evaluate how to increase allyship behaviors in various situations

Assessment Roadmap for Certificate Candidates

This roadmap will allow candidates to prepare for the assessment, helping them understand the areas of knowledge and expertise they need to focus on.

Content Contributor

Amanda Belcher

Fraternity Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Amanda was initiated as a Brother to the Zeta Tau chapter in Fall 2008 and became president of her chapter the following year. She graduated from WKU in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, a minor in Spanish (studied abroad in Costa Rica), and later earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication (presenting her research in two national conferences). Amanda has more than 14 years of experience in leadership and more specifically, Human Resources Leadership across multiple industries. Amanda is currently the Director of Human Resources for Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. Her work has spanned across compensation practices, leadership development programs, organizational structure and design, retention strategies, internal communication, organizational culture, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies. She is a newly appointed volunteer for Alpha Kappa Psi, passionate about working with our teams to enhance the diversity, equity and inclusion of our organization.