November 5, 2009
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Dr. Carlos E. Cortés, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of California, Riverside, spoke to Longwood University student-athletes on cultural diversity Wednesday night, November 4, in Willett Hall. The approximate 75-minute presentation to 225-plus Lancers touched upon many areas of diversity encountered on a daily basis. Dr. Cortés kept the attentive crowd involved with several ‘mad-minutes’ during which time those in attendance would discuss specific issues and provide possible solutions to the areas of concern. Diversity issues covered included cultural ethnicity and heritage, generational age differences, beliefs, and values, physical handicaps, and the role of gender in sports.
Dr. Cortés has served on the summer faculty of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education since 1990, has served on the faculty of the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication since 1995, and has been an adjunct faculty member of the Federal Executive Institute since 1999. His recent books include The Children Are Watching: How the Media Teach about Diversity and The Making -- and Remaking -- of a Multiculturalist, published by Teachers College Press. Both of these books are available locally at Barnes & Noble at Mid-Town Square.
Dr. Cortés is co-author of the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies series, senior consultant for the McDougal Littell World History series, and Creative/Cultural Advisor for Nickelodeon's Peabody-award-winning children's television series, "Dora the Explorer," and its sequel, "Go, Diego, Go!," for which he received the 2009 NAACP Image Award. He also performs his one-person autobiographical play, A Conversation with Alana: One Boy's Multicultural Rite of Passage. A consultant to many government agencies, school systems, universities, mass media, private businesses, and other organizations, Dr. Cortés has lectured widely throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia on the implications of diversity for education, government, private business, and the mass media.