Multicultural Affairs Mission
Statement
-
To provide direct support to
multicultural students including advocacy, leadership development and personal
advising. Also Multicultural Affairs collaborates
with other office to assist with the orientation,
recruitment, and retention of multicultural students.
-
To engage and involve the
university community in celebrations, discussions,
forums and workshops that help create an awareness,
appreciation, and understanding of diversity.
-
To work with departments and
colleagues to ensure Xavier is attaining its goals
related to diversity from the broadest perspective.
Smooth Transitions
Summer Bridge Program
In collaboration with Manresa (Xavier's first-year student orientation program), Smooth Transitions is the first-year student orientation program designed specifically for students of color. Incoming first-year students are given valuable information that can be put to use throughout their academic career. Teaching incoming students how to access student resources such as health and counseling,
student involvement, spiritual development, and academic
advising are a few components of the Smooth Transitions
Summer Bridge Program. A special feature of this
program is that it is designed and facilitated by
student coordinators.
Mentor Program
As a part of the Smooth Transitions program, incoming first-year students of color (protégés) are paired with volunteer mentors. These mentors serve as role models, guidance counselors and more importantly, friends, to students who are still unfamiliar with campus life at Xavier. This year's program has
65 participants - 15 mentors and 50 protégés.
Black History Month
Each February, the Office
Multicultural Affairs sponsors a series of cultural
events that are directly related to the histories of
African and African American people. What was once Negro
History Week is now a tradition that is practiced
throughout the world. At Xavier, cultural and academic
presentations are conducted in a collaborative manner to
bring about historical growth and understanding.
Women of Color Luncheon
Sponsored during Women's History Month, the Women of Color
Luncheon features a keynote speaker who has serves as a role model for women at Xavier University as well as
nationally, for all of society. This program is
academic in that each year, the speaker focus on women
in politics, education, economics, health and community
building by engaging the role that higher education
plays in shaping the professional lives of women in
today's society. Please see the Event Page for more information on this year's event.
Antonio Johnson Scholarship
Gala
In honor of the late Xavier student Antonio Johnson, the Black Student Association and the Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts the Antonio Johnson Scholarship Banquet. Every year an outstanding junior is awarded a full scholarship. The person who receives the scholarship has proven to be exceptional in the following areas: scholastic achievement, Black Student Association involvement, and Xavier community leadership. The Antonio Johnson Scholarship Banquet is one of the premier events on the Xavier campus. It has become a community wide event that attracts over 450 students, faculty/staff and community members. Please see the Event Page for more information on this year's event.
Graduation Reception
Each May, the Office of Multicultural Affairs honors Xavier's graduates of color with a dinner celebration. The graduation reception marks the achievements of students
of color who made a commitment to academic and social excellence; and that
were significantly involved and committed to the Office
of Multicultural Affairs in a myriad of ways. Please see the Event Page for more information on this year's event.
Ernest E. Just Society
The Biology Department and Multicultural Affairs wanted
to eliminate academic barriers in the Natural Sciences
created the Ernest E. Just Society in 2004. The goal of
the society is to assist biology and pre-med students in
their quest to achieve academic excellence. Each week
students attend study sessions that are led by faculty
members. In addition, members of the society meet once
a month to discuss areas of research, enhance study
skills, and build camaraderie. An added bonus is the
mentoring that exists between faculty and students as
well as peer-to-peer involvement that is uniquely
academic (Supplemental Instruction). Chemistry,
Nursing, and Physics
have joined, thus creating additional opportunities for
all students to succeed in the natural sciences.
On a broader scale guests speakers are invited to speak
to the society in an effort to expose students to
professionals of color in the sciences. Other features
of the society include local science field trips,
specialized academic advising, and opportunities to
learn about research and internship opportunities.
Collaboration and community building are at the heart of
the Ernest E. Just Society. The students that are
committed to the society do so voluntarily and in return
they improve their quality of life while at Xavier
University.
Find out more about the Ernest E. Just Society by opening this PDF document.
Williams College of Business (Corporate Connections) and Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs partners with the Williams College of business to promote the academic achievement of business students of color. The partnership will create seminars and other scholastic opportunities that are designed to increase the interaction between Cincinnati's business community and Xavier students color.
|
