Community Intercultural Relations Conference

Overview

The Community Intercultural Relations Conference (CIRC) is an annual event held on the shared campus of Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and The Ohio State University at Newark. The conference features speakers, workshops, and networking and aims to raise awareness of social and cultural similarities and build an inclusive community. Attendees include business, nonprofit, education and community leaders, as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni from K-12 and higher education institutions throughout the region.

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16th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference

Connecting Cultures, Strengthening Communities

Central Ohio’s evolving cultural diversity landscape makes this community a special place to live, work and play. The community and the people and organizations within it are much stronger when we welcome the full array of people and ideas that are here and open ourselves up to learning more. We proudly present the theme for the 16th Annual Community Intercultural Relations Conference (CIRC): “Connecting Cultures, Strengthening Communities.” Join us to participate in breakout sessions featuring speakers from diverse sectors and an astounding keynote that will inspire us all. Leave with action steps to help you shape an organization and community that truly serves and embraces everyone.

Details

Friday, April 11, 2025
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Attend virtually or in person:
Melissa Warner Bow Grand Hall
John Gilbert Reese Center
1209 University Drive, Newark, Ohio 

Cost
$40 per person

Register
Registration opens in December.

Conference Learning Objectives

  1. Participants will reflect on and define cultural diversity. 
  2. Participants will explore how engaging cultural backgrounds and identities of all types strengthens organizations and communities. 
  3. Participants will be exposed to strategies for building effective communication and partnerships in a culturally diverse community. 
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Vorley Taylor Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award

an illustration of many raised arms and hands in different colors in front of a hear.The Vorley Taylor Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award is named in honor of Vorley Taylor who founded the CIRC conference in 2009 and dedicated nearly 30 years as an employee at Central Ohio Technical College and Ohio State Newark focused on creating an inclusive environment at both institutions and in the surrounding community. This award acknowledges an individual, group or organization that has made exceptional diversity and inclusion contributions in central Ohio. These contributions include developing or revising a diversity and inclusion program, creating awareness of cultural and social events, proactively seeking to diversify employee demographics, or establishing diversity and inclusion training programs. The award recipients promote a better understanding  not only of people who live in central Ohio but also of people around the world.

The Vorley Taylor Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award recipient will be recognized at the Community Intercultural Relations Conference (CIRC) and presented with a personalized plaque by the CIRC Committee.

Nominations are now closed.

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About the Community Intercultural Relations Conference and Committee

To complete the mission of raising awareness of social and cultural similarities and building an inclusive community, the Community Intercultural Relations Conference (CIRC) Committee hosts an annual conference on the cost-shared campus of Ohio State Newark and COTC addressing topics around a current theme.