Diversity Education and Programs
Holy Cross fosters multicultural competency for all members of the College community. People with this competency not only acknowledge cultural differences among people, but also incorporate these differences into the way they view the world and engage with others throughout their lives. These kinds of interactions help build an inclusive, respectful campus environment, which is part of the College’s overall commitment to social justice. After Holy Cross, this worldview helps our graduates succeed in their careers and make positive contributions to society.
The Office of Multicultural Education is charged with promoting awareness of diversity in every aspect of campus life, from student orientations and retreats to varied academic and out-of-classroom programs and workshops to campus-wide initiatives such as the Hate Not Here Committee.
We also recognize that some of the most powerful diversity education occurs informally and spontaneously – over lunch or during a late-night discussion in a residence hall, for example. For this reason, a foundation of our efforts is peer education, which can take place any time and anywhere. We provide many opportunities for peer interactions, including off-campus trips to performances, athletic events, and historical and cultural venues.
Multicultural Peer Education
Multicultural peer education is based on the premise that effective change occurs most consistently when people have opportunities to develop respectful relationships. Our multicultural peer educators (MPEs) are specially trained Holy Cross student volunteers who assist in programming, work with staff and residence assistants, and informally engage other students on topics of diversity. MPEs are committed to:
- Opening up people’s minds and hearts by their own examples.
- Championing the belief that human differences matter.
- Educating themselves and their peers about the most honest and effective ways of openly discussing human differences.
- Encouraging others to share their stories – and to reach out and form genuine relationships.