• Diversity
• Nonviolent Conflict Resolution
  

In conjunction with the Dean of Graduate Medical Education and the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, Mary Oishi co-devised and facilitated groundbreaking Cultural Awareness Training for first year medical students at the University of New Mexico Medical School, the first program of its kind in the nation.

In 2001, Mary Oishi was an NGO delegate to the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, in Durban, South Africa.  In addition to providing life-changing diversity workshops, she has written extensively on issues of diversity (see the Freelance Writing section).

Here's the Scoop:

"I had the opportunity to attend a two and one half hour workshop conducted by Ms. Oishi on Conflict Resolution.  In my role as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for over ten years, I have had ample opportunity to observe and to evaluate faculty.  I was very impressed by her presentation.  People who attend her workshops in the past told me I would enjoy it, and they were right.  

Ms. Oishi used lecture, handouts, small group instruction, personal testimony, and role playing to help each member of the audience understand how to resolve conflict.  She established community among the participants in a very short period of time.  She obviously respected the participants and she built her entire presentation around their responses.  Hers was not a highly structured presentation, but a seamless flow of activities based on the needs and responses of the group to each activity.  She spent very little time lecturing.  Her time management skills are amazing.  The workshop was in the evening at the end of a particularly busy teaching day for me, so I came that night exhausted from the end of semester hassles.  At the end of the workshop, I felt energized and was surprised that the time had passed so quickly.  Many of the participants commented to Ms. Oishi how moved they were by the event.  Ms. Oishi obviously enjoys working with groups of people.  She is both knowledgeable and engaging.  This workshop is an example of some of the best constructivist teaching I have ever seen.  I hope I have the opportunity to attend another one of her workshops."

Michele Diel, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics
University of New Mexico
Valencia Campus

"Mary Oishi has provided Diversity Training and Conflict Resolution to WIMINFEST volunteers and Boardmembers for 2 consecutive years.  

Ms. Oishi is a skilled facilitator.  She has a strong grasp of the process, leading to safety, insight, and resolution for the participant.  Ms. Oishi does not shy away from differences nor difficult situations, encouraging and respecting honesty to enrich the experience.  

I would (will) gladly ask Mary Oishi to assist our group again."

Concha Acosta
Board Member
Wimin In Movement in NM (WIMIN)