Diversity Advocacy will offer an overnight retreat September 21–22 that will expand students’ understanding of diversity and increase multicultural awareness. Students will be led through guided activities, discussion, and reflection on topics such as sexual orientation, race, gender identity, and the concept of privilege.

Robert Alberts, a junior social work major who attended last year’s retreat, said the event was a “life-changing” experience that opened up a forum for him to challenge his beliefs. “All of the discussions were accompanied by activities that not only taught us about each other, but taught us about ourselves and gave us a space to be vulnerable around other people,” he said. “We became such a close group of people after those two days.”

This year’s Diversity Retreat will be held at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson on September 21-22 and is free for Illinois State students. Applications are due September 6.

Marie Huels contributed to this article.