(Posted February 7, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- By using powerful personal stories, participant's voices and discussion about Juniata College's identity as a community, a diversity educator will use the wisdom of group communication to develop a common language for valuing diversity on the workshop "Claiming Our World," at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16 in Sill Board Room in the von Liebig Center for Science.

The workshop is free and open to the public.

The workshop is created and facilitated by Rochelle Peterson, a diversity consultant with Perceptions Unlimited. The workshop aims to give attendees tools for reducing prejudice and building common ground in order to empower students and staff of all backgrounds to experience a safe and affirming education at Juniata. The workshop also aims to create a strategy that the college can use to create a common diversity plan.

Peterson is the founder of Perceptions Unlimited, a consultancy that provides expertise in multicultural organizational development in higher education, governmental and corporate settings. The organization provides advice and training on professional and student leadership development, strategic planning and mentoring development.

Peterson is currently a teacher and social justice educator at Arcadia University and Eastern University. She founded Perceptions Unlimited in 2005.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University and went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Vermont. She also is a certified trainer for the World of Difference Institute of the Anti-Defamation League and holds an advanced certificate in cultural competence from Temple University's Multicultural Training and Research Institute.

Peterson currently serves as a consultant for Girls Today Leaders Tomorrow, an initiative created by the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.