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Experience the power of inclusion through workshops, lectures, and activities.
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Enhance your résumé! Earn a Certificate of Participation that shows you are growing in multicultural competence, engagement, and awareness.
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Learn what it takes to create a brighter and more inclusive future, at IUP and elsewhere.
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Students can earn certificates that range from engagement to participation, depending on the number of events attended. No preregistration is necessary.
Watch IUP Now and The Pathfinder for individual FOLDIS events this fall.
September 9 through September 20, 2025
Watch IUP students sharing their thoughts on FOLDIS!
2025 Schedule of Events
Please bring your I-Card to document your participation.
Tuesday, September 9
Title: Jest in Translation: A Multilingual Lens on American Humor
This presentation will make a case for the importance of studying primary sources written in languages other than English, particularly for doing research on nineteenth-century American literature and culture, especially humor. It will explain the hemispheric turn in American cultural studies and offer multiple case studies on how putting in the work of reading Spanish-language sources offers new and valuable insights while decentering Anglo influence in the Americas.
Presenter: Dr. Todd Thompson, English, in the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing
Jane Leonard Hall, Room 126, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 10
Simulation: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Translation
Participants will learn about the importance of studying primary sources written in languages other than English, particularly for doing research on nineteenth-century American literature and culture, especially humor. It will explain the hemispheric turn in American cultural studies and offer multiple case studies on how putting in the work of reading Spanish-language sources offers new and valuable insights while decentering Anglo influence in the Americas.
Presenter: Dr. Todd Thompson, English, in the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing
Elkin Hall, Great Room, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 11
Maker Session: Humbling Humor
Decoding foreign humor to reveal humility within ourselves and a mantra for living.
Presenter: Sarah Nelson, Atlas Art
Wallwork G98 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16
Title: The Healing Power of Words: Effective Communication
Participants will learn about the importance of effective communication—why understanding nonverbal communication is important in healthcare—and will practice effective verbal communication and discuss cultural sensitivity in healthcare. They will describe several strategies for adapting communication to patients’ ability to understand
Presenter: Johanna Boothby, Nursing
Jane Leonard Hall, Room 126, 6:00–7:00 p.m
Wednesday, September 17
Simulation: Practice Makes Perfect: Communicating Effectively in Healthcare
Participants will engage in a variety of healthcare scenarios that require the use of diverse communication techniques, including patient-provider interactions, managing language barriers, communicating with individuals who have visual or hearing impairments, and navigating challenging conversations.
Presenter: Johanna Boothby, Nursing
Elkin Hall, Great Room, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 18
Maker Session: Care-full Connections
Inspiring patient-care-giver connection and fostering trust through the universal language of empathy.
Presenter: Sarah Nelson, Atlas Art
Wallwork G98, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 20
FOLDIS International Dance Party!
Dance music from around the world, selected by you, the students!
Suggest songs for the FOLDIS International Dance Party playlist. The deadline to suggest songs is 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 13.
Choose one or more songs that are fun to dance to and also:
- have lyrics in a language other than English.
- have appropriate and unoffensive lyrics: NO profanity, NO explicit sexual content, and NO overtly political, discriminatory, or violent messages.
- have a YouTube lyrics video, preferably with a simple background.
Use this Microsoft Form to suggest songs with lyrics videos.
The form will ask you to provide:
- Your name, IUP email address, and (optional) phone number.
- The song information: the title, language, name of the artist, and the artist’s country (for the playlist information).
- The link to the YouTube lyrics video.
- Whether or not you plan to attend the event.
The faculty of the FOLDIS committee reserves the right to choose the playlist.
HUB Ohio Room, 7:00–9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Light refreshments
QR Code/Registration link coming soon
Earn Certificates of Participation
Certificate of Multicultural Engagement
Attend any 3 FOLDIS Events
Certificate of Multicultural Awareness
Attend any 6 FOLDIS Events
Certificate of FOLDIS Ambassador
Attend all 9 FOLDIS Events
FOLDIS is sponsored by:
- The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
- The Social Equity and Title IX Office
- Lively Arts
- Foreign Languages FOLDIS Committee