ABSTRACT
Cultural competency is the process of developing knowledge, skills, and abilities, with a focus on the interaction of cultural backgrounds and the reflective outputs from an individual and/or organization to better serve their diverse demographic. Continuously changing demographics point to the need for educational institutions and organizations to promote inclusivity and provide spaces for administrators and practitioners to become more knowledgeable of diverse cultures and perspectives in society. This chapter reviews the historical need for cultural competence and an understanding of what cultural competence is. In addition, the chapter discusses theories and models related to developing cultural competence and implications for educational programs and practitioners.
