We envision the Center for Multicultural Affairs fostering an environment within the Bridgewater State College community that promotes the celebration of cultural pluralism. We strive to create a sensitive community that appreciates the history, culture and traditions of under-served students at Bridgewater State College. The Center for Multicultural Affairs believes in the positive relationship between multiculturalism and student success. The Center for Multicultural Affairs fosters cross-divisional collaborations that promote student success.

 

 

Bridgewater State College's Center for Multicultural Affairs' (CMA) primary mission is to promote inclusion and student success by providing programs and services that assist and support underrepresented students and enrich the academic, cultural, and social experience of all students.

 

To carry out this mission CMA does the following:

• Connects under-represented students with the academic, social, personal, and other support services they need as they transition to Bridgewater and the college setting.

• Offers programs, events, celebrations, discussions and workshops that promote cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity that will prepare all students to live in our global society and among diverse populations based on mutual respect for similarities and differences.

• Serves as a resource for faculty, staff and community members who want to understand, address and support the needs of students of color.

• Provides a supportive environment and a safe space on campus where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to relax, share their experiences and celebrate their diversity.

• Assists with the recruitment of diverse students through active participation in College recruitment programs such as Saturdays at Bridgewater.

• Provides expertise and assistance to college initiatives focused on retention of under-represented students.

• Supports the Office of Institutional Diversity’s efforts to implement programs and practices that promote cultural pluralism. 

 

 

Transformative Change

An emerging trend in higher education is the transformation of multicultural centers from social outlets for under-represented students to centers that intentionally promote student success.  Centers for Multicultural Affairs achieve this goal by providing the following opportunities: leadership development, academic success, the opportunity for students to develop a deeper understanding of their identity and cultural development.  Bridgewater State College’s Center for Multicultural Affairs is positioned to implement the following programs and resources that promote student success:

 

Strategic Goals

• Expand initiatives that promote retention and engagement for Nellie Mae Students.

• Enhance the retention and leadership opportunities for Brown and Black males. 

• Modify the CMA infrastructure to promote engaged student learning.

• Increase support for physical space that supports student success in the informal classroom.

 

2008-2009

• Center for Multicultural Affairs' vision statement to be developed by the CMA Advisory Board.

• Integrate Community Service Projects into the LINKS curriculum.

• Facilitate a LINKS student retreat.

• Support the efforts of the student organization Men Integrated in Brotherhood with the development of purposeful activities that promote persistence and student success for male students attending Bridgewater State College.

• Collaborate with academic affairs to create programs that integrate formal classroom experiences and informal classroom experiences.

• Work with faculty to establish Jewish Heritage celebrations.

• Establish Unity Week during Black History Month – CMA will develop the framework and students will develop programs for 2 days during Unity Week.

• Provide support for staff to attend one non-institutional conference related to job responsibilities.

 

2009-2010

• Establish Unity Week during Black History Month – CMA will develop the framework and students will develop programs for 2 days during Unity Week. 

• Establish a voluntary Multicultural Student Advisor Planning Committee that meets regularly to offer support to ethnic student organization advisors.   

• Work with faculty to establish Jewish Heritage Celebrations.

• Intentionally work with Afro Am Alumni to develop opportunities to increase the group’s interaction with students.

• Incorporate the development of guardianship – like relationships with Nellie Mae students as part of CMA Staff Orientation.

• Increase the number of first-year students enrolled in the LINKS Program by 10% from 2008-2009 to 2009-2010.

• Advocate for additional space as renovations are made to the Campus Center. 

 

 

 

Last Modified: June 18, 2009