DEI in the Workplace Topic of Quarterly HR Professionals Cohort Meeting
Held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Northeast Iowa Community College's Town Clock Business Center, our latest HR Professionals Cohort meeting centered on the topic of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace, presented by Kelly Larson, Development & Learning Manager with the City of Dubuque. The session began with introductions, where the 32 participants shared unique personal and professional experiences that shape their perspectives and the skill sets they bring to their work. We then explored the definition of DEI by breaking down each term—diversity, equity, and inclusion—and discussing how they intersect and impact the workplace.
Next, the cohort broke into smaller groups for a scenario-based activity, where each team analyzed a different workplace challenge and identified both obstacles and solutions through the lens of DEI. Scenarios included helping a military veteran translate their skills for a civilian role, addressing biases related to age diversity and fostering collaboration across generations, and understanding different types of accommodations and accessibility for employees with disabilities. Through these discussions, we saw how each person's background and individual experiences can benefit and diversify the workforce if employers are inclusive and equitable in their employee relations.
Our next HR Professionals Cohort quarterly meeting, Connecting Employers with Future Talent, will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at the the Northeast Iowa Community College Town Clock Business Center, 680 Main Street in downtown Dubuque. For this session, we will bring together career services staff from our regional institutions of higher education for a panel discussion on how employers can better connect with college students—whether for internships, full-time positions, or general career development opportunities. Career services staff will share insights into their current programs, discuss new initiatives on and off campus, and explore ways businesses in the Greater Dubuque region can get more involved. This is a great opportunity for HR professionals to learn more on bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring that businesses are equipped to attract and retain the next generation of talent.
Launched in 2023, participation in the HR Professionals Cohort is open to any of our Workforce Solutions Investors to support their HR staff with cross-sector networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Registration for the May 6th HR Professional Cohort meeting is now open. For questions about this networking group or to learn more about becoming a Workforce Solutions Investor, contact Mandi Dolson, Director of Workforce Recruitment & Retention at mandid@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049.