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On the Job with the Multicultural Center

The Bulletin spoke with Pat Grady, interim director, and Heather Arbuckle, program coordinator/office coordinator, of the Multicultural Center.

What do people think you do?
“People often think we only serve people of color.”

What do you really do?
“We cultivate programs and awareness to promote civility and mutual respect for all members of the campus community in spite of race, age, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender. Our goal is to focus on involving the student population in reflective and interactive engagement with people who are different from themselves.”

Describe your office.
“Our office is small and ‘quaint.’ It is located next to the new Java City, across from the main entrance to the Library. A lot of people have trouble finding it because our address is Library 1010, and they go into the main entrance of the Library, looking for our office inside.”

What surprises people?
“We often are responsible for bringing high-profile speakers to the campus. We’ve sponsored lectures by Winnie Mandela and Cornell West, to name a few. We also work with students with disabilities and the LGBTQQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and ally) community. They see the word “multicultural” and think that we only deal with ethnic and racial issues.”

What is your biggest challenge?
“It’s tough to engage students in hard conversations about issues and attitudes that still exist in today’s society, especially in regard to sexual orientation and racism. Prejudice, gender bias and inequity are everyone’s problem, and sometimes it can be difficult for students to accept that.”

What do you get asked the most?
“‘Where are you located, and what do you do?’ Come visit our office, next to the new Java City in the Library breezeway, and we’ll show you.”