Appalachian State
University plans to continue its efforts towards diversity this
year with a schedule of speakers, leadership opportunities and workshops
geared towards diversity education.
Appalachian welcomes students from all over North Carolina, regions
of the United States and 28 countries worldwide. These countries
include the United Kingdom, Barbados, China, South Korea, Japan,
Germany and Thailand.
The Office of Multicultural Student Development is a resource to
students interested in learning about leadership opportunities for
minorities at Appalachian. Anwar Cruter, Assistant Director for
Multicultural Education said there will be many programs, speakers
and workshops related to issues of diversity.
First on this year’s line up will be Felipe Luciano, who will
speak about the rising number of Hispanic residents in the local
and national community.
There will also be speakers on disability services for students,
a focus on the Cherokee Indians of the region, and a look at gay
and lesbian issues in the spring.
Other facets of the Multicultural Center include the National Hillell
Association (formerly the Jewish Association), a new Pagan Association,
an Asian Festival in November and Kwanzaa celebration in December.
Traci L. Wright, Director of Multicultural Student Development said
that it is easy for students to stay in a comfort zone when they
arrive at Appalachian, therefore making it difficult for them to
see how diverse Appalachian really is. She said some students she
spoke with were actually surprised by how diverse Appalachian is.
“I think that students have to seek out opportunities to take
advantage of diversity here,” she said.
Wright said she would like to pull together and train a group of
students who would be willing to act as advocates for underrepresented
groups in the community and to help educate on issues of diversity.
Wright said bulletins, education and recruitment videos are included
in this year’s outreach plan. She said two of her loftiest
goals would be to put together a history of the Office of Multicultural
Student Development. She said she would also like to do an analysis
on the growth and the contributing factors of minority development
at Appalachian over the past 30 years.
Outside of multicultural development among students, the university
is also working hard to increase diversity among faculty and staff.
“The goal is to double the number of faculty members from underrepresented
groups every year,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity
Dr. Harry L. Williams said.
In his update on faculty diversity, Williams wrote that the Faculty
Fellows Program was designed to find educators whose life experiences
were similar to the unique experiences of student populations at
the university.
“We just want to keep the momentum up. Everything is very positive
right now … If the environment is positive, the people will
make you feel welcome and that is key,” Williams said. |
