A place of belonging

While diversity and inclusion have long been values of Illinois State University and the Division of Student Affairs, we have begun to see an increased focus on equity throughout higher education in addition to these core values. At Illinois State, the Division of Student Affairs continues to make progress in several equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts. Through the divisional strategic planning process, a focus on intentional campus collaborations and the hiring, recruiting, and retaining of diverse staff emerged. Further, the division will have an increased focus on training and education through an equity-based curriculum, coordinated through an expanded associate director position within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

One of the most significant enhancements to EDI efforts at Illinois State has been the addition of a vibrant Multicultural Center, which opened to the campus community in fall 2021. The center provides students with an affirming campus environment where they can embrace their intersecting identities and learn to become a champion for antiracism, equity, and justice. Under the pillars of antiracism, identity, and belonging, the center offers a number of services to help students thrive in community and in a historically white institution.

The Multicultural Center serves as a tremendous resource for students, offering events and several spaces designed with their specific needs in mind. While the completion of this construction project and the opening of the center were exciting, the Division of Student Affairs is even more proud of the commitment to the student experience throughout the entire planning process. Through many conversations with students, their needs were kept at the forefront of planning. Staff were intentional about listening to student feedback and making decisions that would broaden our efforts to support students, ultimately enhancing their Illinois State experience.

It is through those conversations that spaces and services emerged, such as a social justice library, a reflection room, a family room, gender affirmation station, and plenty of space for programming and events. Multicultural Center Director Dr. Christa Platt shared that obtaining student input throughout the planning process “provided an environment that allowed students to breathe life into the blueprint.”

In addition to providing space for student-driven programs, the center also offers programming related to healing, antiracism, social and cultural experiences, and leadership and community development. The center sponsors four dynamic multicultural organizations: the Black Student Union, Association of Latin American Students, Asian Pacific American Coalition, and Pride. Each serves as an umbrella organization for their identity communities to provide spaces of solidarity and belonging.

Whether students are gathering in small groups, seeking guidance from a staff member, or setting up for a program, it is clear that they have already found the center to be a valuable campus resource. There is no doubt that the Multicultural Center will continue to have a direct impact on students at Illinois State University for years to come.

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