Celebrating Cultural Diversity as a Community

On a campus as diverse as Elms, it is no small feat that we are able to coordinate numerous intercultural programs that celebrate the breadth of cultures here and promote open-mindedness and cooperative learning. The office charged with this task is Intercultural Programming, whose mission is to foster and sustain a diverse and culturally sensitive campus, and build community and collaboration among diverse groups both within and outside of the college.

The Office of Intercultural Programming through the Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Community Council works with students, faculty, and staff to provide programs and services that support the personal and intellectual development of ALANA (Afircan American, Latino/a, Asian American, Native American) students, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendere, low-income, international, and first-generation college students at Elms College.

In order to accomplish our mission, we host programs that engage the Elms community in activities and discussions centered around complex issues of social diversity such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, ability, political ideology, and national origin within the context of pursuing a liberal arts education.

Some of the program that we have in the works include:

Culture at Lunch

Culture @ Lunch is a luncheon series in which faculty, staff & students offer their diversity experiences and personal journeys towards cultural competency.

Film Series with Talk Back

Each film explores a specific theme related to ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Afterwards, a small panel will lead the discussion & field questions.

Disability & Race

A series (film, panel discussion, etc.) during which the issues of disability and race (i.e. ADD and/or ADHD) are explored.

Diversity Awards

Coordinated through the office of Intercultural Programming, a Diversity Award that recognizes excellence in "Cultural Competency" to a student, faculty member and staff will be rewarded.

Stories from the Front

Area high school students come to Elms College to discuss their own struggles dealing with diversity and the challenges they've had to confront. This program not only furthers our "neighbor to neighbor" mission but also exposes Elms College to potential students.