University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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Five Days For Change

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The Five Days for Change 2025 sessions will be held January 13–17 (Winter) and May 19–23 (Summer).

We have reached capacity for the Winter 2025 Five Days for Change cohort. Please complete the wait list form below to be added to the Winter 2025 Wait List.

Five Days for Change is an intensive training program designed to provide university employees with the opportunity to acquire and strengthen cultural competencies, awareness, and skills. This training will increase the visibility, skill, and effectiveness of allies in the cause of social justice and campus civility as critical campus incidents arise.

Five Days for Change is a program of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The training is facilitated by university staff and faculty, for university staff and faculty. Participants in this weeklong training will:

  • Learn more about the experiences of historically underserved groups at the University of Illinois
  • Examine how one’s own positionality and advocacy can influence positive change in our campus climate
  • Build skills for working in collaborative, cross-cultural environments.

Five Days for Change is available to all staff and faculty members who are interested in understanding the impact their identities have in our work and are willing to engage in dialogue about critical campus issues. A fee paid by the participant’s department covers workshop materials, breakfast, lunch, skilled facilitators, and operational costs for the program.

Acceptance is based on space availability. If you have additional questions, please contact us at diversity@illinois.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Five Days for Change? When is it?

As a focused employee institute, Five Days for Change (5D4C) is designed for staff and faculty to focus on developing their cultural competency, skills, and awareness to promote equity.  Focused on equity-minded efforts in higher education, participants will practice skills for collaborating in a cross-cultural environment, while also increasing their strategies as campus change-makers.

Five Days for Change sessions begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., with a lunch period and breaks included.  All training sessions will be held in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion suites, 614 E. Daniel St., 3rd Floor, Champaign, IL.

What is the cost of this training?

Five Days for Change Institute registration cost is $400. This includes breakfast, lunch, educational materials, and an inviting training environment led by skilled facilitators. In the registration form, participants are expected to provide a CFOP that will be charged to cover this cost. If you need to pay in an alternate manner, contact Ross at wantland@illinois.edu

What if I can’t make all 5 days? What if I have to leave early?

Participants must be able to attend all of the training sessions in order to be selected. If you are unable to attend any portion for some reason, please let the Five Days for Change organizers know.

What will I take away from Five Days for Change?

Five Days for Change is focused on the individual and institutional roles we each play in creating an inclusive campus environment. This will include:

  • Learning more about the experiences of historically underserved groups at the University of Illinois
  • Examining how one’s own positionality and advocacy can influence positive change in our campus climate
  • Building skills for working in collaborative, cross-cultural environments.
  • Meeting a cohort of fellow University staff and faculty interested in supporting fairness and equity

In addition, the program will provide time for participants to practice these skills and engage with campus changemakers.

Will I receive recognition for attending?

All participants will receive a certificate for attending. Copies will also be provided to participants’ supervisors.

How are participants selected?

Selection is approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited in the training; once the training is full, overflow registrants will be added to a waitlist and notified as spaces become available.

Will I have to take vacation time to attend?

No. Five Days for Change is a professional development opportunity and as such counts towards work hours, rather than vacation. Participants will be expected to work with their department to secure approval to attend Five Days for Change. If you require any additional support from Five Days for Change to obtain permission to attend, contact Ross at wantland@illinois.edu

What will be expected of participants after Five Days for Change?

Following the training, participants will be invited to attend ongoing meetings with Five Days for Change alumni. Participants will also be encouraged to set up informal networks with each other to maintain the relationships developed at Five Days for Change.

Will there be breaks for us to check our e-mail?

Each day, two 15-minute breaks and a lunch hour will be provided for participants to use as they wish. Lunch will be provided at the training location, though participants are not obliged to stay. During the training, however, we request that participants plan to be present and engaged. Facilitators will create an environment to support active engagement.

Will Five Days for Change be offered again?

Yes. Five Days for Change is offered on an annual or semi-annual basis, depending on interest and resources. Check this page for future dates and registration information.

What if I have more questions?

If you have further questions about Five Days for Change, contact us at diversity@illinois.edu or 217-300-9580