News Release

Message of ‘diversimilarity’ comes to campus Jan. 22

January 14, 2009

Brian Johnson will share his message of “diversimilarity” with Penn State Harrisburg students at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 in the Capital Union Building’s Student Center.

“One of our most compelling challenges is the encouragement of student leadership, on and off campus,” Johnson says. “This type of leadership entails building relationships and communication with people who have divergent beliefs and values. Campus conversations about diversity are often messy, sensitive, and, for many, downright scary. How can we build effective personal relationships across differences when many people are afraid and unable to talk to each other?”

He continues, “The workshop will help students expand their relationship-building skills by becoming more culturally self-aware, finding common ground, and by harnessing the benefits of living and learning in community with others.”

Johnson’s presentation, entitled “L.E.A.D. – Leadership Excellence Acknowledges Diversimilarity” is made possible by a grant awarded to the athletic department from the NCAA.

In his presentation, Johnson frames diversity as a leadership issue, making it an appropriate discussion for students of different backgrounds. He directs students toward a journey of cultural competence – helping them acquire a factual knowledge base about different cultures, and giving them the confidence and comfort to generate communication between cultures.

From 2001 to 2007, Johnson served as the director of multicultural affairs and special assistant to the president at Susquehanna University. He is founder of the Pennsylvania Association of Liaisons and Officers of Multicultural Affairs, a consortium that promotes best practices in higher education. He is a former trainer with the National Coalition Building Institute and was certified in their prejudice reduction and issues process modules.

Johnson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California University of Pennsylvania and is currently working toward his doctorate. Also an ordained minister, he serves on the ministry team at Revival Tabernacle in West Milton, Pa.