Diversity, Equity and Inclusion support expands presence
Author: Carroll UniversityPublished Date: 01/17/2020Categories:F1RST Spring 2020 F1RST Magazine Students Diversity Equity and Inclusion University News
A new department at Carroll is coordinating the university’s efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive campus and foster meaningful interactions between people of diverse cultures, social identities, perspectives and experiences.
The new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion houses Carroll’s Pre-College Programs, the Office of Global Education and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, according to associate dean Vanessa (Pérez) Topczewski.
- Global Education offers immigration and cultural support for F-1 international students through globally focused programming to ensure a holistic university experience, including student orientation, off-campus employment workshops and student advising. International Student Services and Cross-Cultural Experience are both within the Office of Global Education.
- Multicultural Affairs provides services that promote the success of our diverse student body and programs designed to enrich students’ intellectual, ethical and cultural development, including Pioneer Summer Bridge, mentoring, campus and community resources, workshops and heritage celebrations.
- Pre-College Programs provide middle and high school students an opportunity to learn about careers, explore university life and gain academic, social and life skills that will help them succeed in a college setting.
“I’m proud of the space we have on campus,” Topczewski said of the expanded space
DEI relocated to over the summer on the first floor of Kilgour Hall. “Our office now
offers an open and cozy student lounge area with couches, tables, a fridge to keep
your food cold, a microwave to warm it back up and some pretty cool people to hang
out with.
“The college experience is important,” she said. “We take pride in providing assistance,
resources and support along the way.”
Make a Difference
If you ever wonder whether the money donated to support scholarships at Carroll makes
a real difference, you could ask Brittany Miller ’22. Every dollar helps.
Brittany is intent on doing something with her life that makes healthcare more affordable
and accessible for all. At Carroll, she has found the perfect double major—public health and healthcare administration—to prepare her for her future. But she is only at Carroll because it was her most
affordable option, due in large part to the scholarships she was offered.
Still, Carroll might have lost this bright star last year when bills started to mount.
That’s when she found out about the Opportunity Scholarship. President Cindy Gnadinger created the Opportunity Scholarship Fund to provide a
lifeline for those students from diverse backgrounds who are traditionally underrepresented
in higher education and who may need additional help bridging the financial aid gap.
It has made all the difference for Brittany, allowing her to remain at Carroll and
to continue following her dream. And for that, she’d like to thank you.
“It may sound cheesy,” she said, “but thank you. I know you don’t have to do this,
but it does make a difference.”
To learn how you can help make a difference, contact James Rychner, assistant vice
president for development, at 262.524.7240.
