Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Shawna Patterson-Stephens, Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer
Warriner 319; 989-774-3700
The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion serves a leading role in promoting an institutional culture that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Historical legacies on inclusion and exclusion have determined pathways to education that have served to be closed to many potential students, staff, and faculty. Diversity and inclusion within the academic and educational setting reflects a community that is reflective of all aspects of society, so that all community members can share in our differences and our similarities a part of our life-long learning process. We prepare our students through leadership development the skills necessary for impacting an increasingly more global society that preserves knowledge from all communities that is inherent to prepare graduates for a more complex and diverse society.
The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion offers opportunities for faculty, staff and students to enhance their cultural competence by providing intercultural education, facilitating campus wide interaction, building collaborative partnerships to advance diversity and inclusion, and implementing educational opportunities that cultivate and sustain a supportive and inclusive campus community.
Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity
Bovee UC 108, 989-774-3945
Opening its doors in 2011, The Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity (CSID) houses several offices, programs and resources to support students’ academic, social and cultural education. Those offices include Multicultural Academic Student Services, Native American Programs, LGBTQ Services, and the Student Transition Enrichment Program (STEP).
The CSID provides a safe space that nurtures learning and the achievement of personal and educational goals through cultural enrichment, peer tutoring, mentoring, and leadership activities on campus. The CSID allows students a place to study and do homework, meet, hang out/relax, and access wireless internet.
The programs and services of the Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity foster academic achievement, leadership development, and advancement of all students at Central Michigan University. The CSID includes a conference room and a space for exhibits and receptions.
Multicultural Academic Student Services
The Office of Multicultural Academic Student Services (MASS) provides assistance to students with academic, personal, social concerns and cultural support. To empower and retain students, the staff provides and enhances a campus environment where diversity is understood and celebrated. The office coordinates student activities and retention services and serves as a representative voice for CMU’s students of color. The office works closely with diverse student groups in planning and implementing academic, social, and recreational activities. Programs and scholarships offered through the office include cultural celebrations, the Multicultural Award of Distinction, Lloyd M. Cofer and Multicultural Advancement scholarships. The office also offers mentoring through Men About Change, Women’s Initiative of Strength and Hope (WISH), Le Gente, Mentor Collective, and the IMPACT program. Additional objectives include establishing strong working relationships with existing university offices and departments on matters regarding educational policies and procedures, developmental program planning and evaluation, and student services relating to minorities. Contact information: Bovee University Center 112; 989-774-3945; e-mail: mass@cmich.edu.
Native American Programs
The cultural and social programs offered by the Office of Native American Programs (NAP) allows the campus and local community to come together to learn about Native American culture and history. The office serves several purposes. NAP attracts American Indian students to CMU and helps them achieve their educational goals; builds student leaders through committee work and internship programs; serves as a liaison to Michigan’s Indian communities to determine their educational needs; and sponsors programs that provide opportunities for everyone to experience Native cultures through activities, workshops, and events. Contact Information: Bovee University Center 110C; 989-774-2508; e-mail: nap@cmich.edu.
The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Services and Gender Equity Programs
The purpose of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Services is to coordinate programs, to participate in educational forums to raise awareness of LGBTQ concerns, and to meet the needs of CMU’s LGBTQ community. Programs address issues of heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia, coming out and other issues related to the experience of sexual orientation and gender identity/gender expression. The office also supports the gender equity programming on campus, including the celebration of Women’s History Month. Contact information: Bovee University Center 125; 989-774-3637.
Student Transition Enrichment Program (STEP)
The Student Transition Enrichment Program (STEP), a MiCUP (Michigan College University Partnership) grant funded by the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative Workforce Development Agency, provides support services for first-generation and/or Pell Grant-eligible students who transfer into Central Michigan University. Programs and events include: Academic Advising, CMU Campus Visits, and Academic Workshops. The goal of STEP is to promote knowledge of the transfer process, academic programs and resources at CMU; build relationships; and develop academic, self-confidence, and career planning skills. Contact information: Bovee University Center 110C; 989-774-2508; e-mail: micup-step@cmich.edu.