MCLA is committed to creating a campus culture that values, represents, and honors diversity. We actively endeavor to recruit and retain diverse students, faculty, and staff.
MCLA fosters meaningful dialogue both in and out of the classroom in order to encourage critical awareness, respect, and appreciation for similarities and differences. We strive to critically address dynamics of inequality, and encourage collaboration and purposeful engagement to achieve social justice on campus and in the community.
MCLA is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive campus community where all students, faculty, and staff have the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to live in a diverse, globally integrated world. The Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is an integral aspect of this work
Throughout the year DEI supports a variety of events to promote its core values of diversity, equity and inclusion. We'll keep expanding this section in the weeks and months ahead as new events are added.
The goal of the dialogues is to bring about intimate discussions and awareness on race unity or any other social issue that arise on campuses across America.
Resources for the MCLA community.
In an effort to continue to create a safe and welcoming environment for all, MCLA monitors any trends related to bias incidents, and develops strategies to inform and educate the campus.
As associate director of MCLA's diversity programs and Multicultural Education Resource Center (MERC), Arlene Theodore is a mentor, a passionate advocate for students of color, and a content expert who is working across campus to make sure everyone understands that diversity, equity, and inclusion work requires the entire community's participation.
MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center produced an extensive slate of virtual programming, exhibitions, and discussions this academic year, all focused on using art as a catalyst for advocacy and a deeper understanding of current social issues like immigration, racism, and public health.
Before the pandemic, the MCLA Volunteer Center was running regular weekly programs, with participation from more than 200 student volunteers and community members. The COVID-19 pandemic forced it to pivot, but the staff and student volunteers rose to the occasion, expanding food pantry access, developing virtual programming, and keeping as much of its usual activities going as possible despite pandemic restrictions.
