Why Diversity? 

Diversity is Biblical- We believe that the call to be a diverse community is rooted in scripture and evident in God's creation.

There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb. -Revelation 7:9

God saw all that he had made and it was very good.- Genesis 1:1-31 

Diversity is Communal - We believe that diversity can only be expressed in community where we are sharing our distinct gifts, experiences and perspectives.

There are different kinds of gifts...The body is a unit, though it is made of many parts...if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it...- 1 Cor. 12:4-31

Diversity is Practical- We believe that we most effectively contribute to and benefit from a globalized society by learning skills that allow us to work, worship and live well and wisely in our world.

A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.- Romans 12:4-5 

The staff of the Intercultural Programs Office can be found in Kerr Student Center in the Campus Life Office. Feel free and stop by and visit!

Diversity Goals 

At Westmont, we have a Diversity Learning Standard for all students. Our desire is that students have the understanding and skills...

• To engage people unlike themselves.
• To affirm each person as created in God's image.
• To approach others respectfully in thought, word and deed.
• To respond to differences through personal reflection, communal discussion and academic analysis.
• To avoid stereotyping that vilify, romanticize or victimize persons or groups. 

The Office of Intercultural Programs contributes to this standard through support, education and celebration.

Support- We encourage and promote the social and academic success of our students of color, international, and third-culture students for leadership and service. We exhort all students to explore and share their own cultural and ethnic heritages.

Educate-We educate our campus on the historical and current challenges and realities that come with diversity through workshops, seminars, conferences, book groups, and speakers.

Celebrate-We organize and attend campus and local events such as dances, festivals, theater, films, music, and special meals. We often partner with student groups, faculty, residence life and other departments for events and activities.

Intercultural Programs Photo Gallery

ICP Picture highlights from recent years:

• 2016-2017

• 2015-2016

• 2014-2015

• 2013-2014

FAQ's: Answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask

Q: Why is Diversity important at Westmont?
A: We believe that diversity is biblical, practical and communal. We also believe that diversity is a gift that God has given to us as people who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. As in any gift, we need to open the gift to experience the blessing and joy that the giver wants the receiver to experience. So it is to this end that we encourage all to open the gift of diversity so we may appreciate and value that each person brings. It means taking initiative and having courage along with faith and goodwill to talk to someone who may be different than ourselves. Soon enough we discover that we have so much common without ever minimizing the unique ways God has shaped our lives.

In 1995 the college conducted a major assessment of its programs and personnel regarding diversity. As a result, a committee was formed to address the topic of diversity and created a long range plan to increase the college's diversity in students, faculty, staff and curriculum. Soon after, the faculty developed and approved seven learning standards, one of which included diversity.

In the Spring of 2009 the college clarified its mission and distinctiveness for Evangelical, Diversity and Liberal Arts. Currently there is a task force developing a more clear and concise theological and biblical statement on diversity.

Q: How does Intercultural Programs (ICP) fit in at the college?
A: ICP is part of the Student Life Division. As a result of an extensive assessment in 1995, ICP formerly known as the Multicultural Programs Office was created primarily to support and serve students of color. Since then the office has evolved to educate all students about the value of diversity as well as deepen their understanding of historical prejudice and bias in the United States as it impacts our institutions and interpersonal relationships.

Q: Who does Intercultural Programs serve?
A: We serve all students. Events, activities and leadership opportunities are open to any student.

Q: What is the Cultural Diversity Award and who may apply for it?
A: To create an academic community rich in cultural diversity, Westmont offers a Cultural Diversity Award of $1,000. Incoming students who desire to incorporate their intercultural experiences into the Westmont learning environment should apply for this competitive, need-based scholarship. You can find the application here. Incoming students for Spring 2017 may apply by December 1, 2016. The 2017-2018 application deadline for Early Action admitted students is February 1 and Regular Decision is March 1.

Q: Why does Westmont use racial, ethnic and cultural categories on their admissions application?
A: These categories were created by the U.S. government for demographic purposes. We request this information from students so we may have an accurate picture of the diversity at Westmont. Students may choose to self-identify with any, all or none of the categories.

Q: Why does Intercultural Programs use the term " students of color"?
A: The term is the common and current usage in higher education whether in academic research, courses or student services. As such we use the term as it is used consistently on most campuses. We recognize the limitation of any one term to describe the complexities of a group of people. We also acknowledge the confusion that comes from the word "color" knowing that adding "ed" makes it a historically inappropriate term.

Some colleges and universities use the acronym ALANA, which stands for "African, Latino, Asian, Native American" or AHANA for African, Hispanic, Asian, Native American. In Intercultural Programs we choose not to use these acronoyms recognizing that there are students of color of multiracial heritage. We also choose not to use "diversity" or "ethnic minority" as we believe that all students are of diverse backgrounds including disability, socioeconomic, gender and sexuality and have family heritages that are ethnically rooted in the United States or in other countries.

As a reminder, Hispanic or Latino/a is a cultural identity, not racial. That is, a person who is White, African-American or Asian can be Hispanic or Latino/a. 

Q: How do I describe a person's ethnic, racial and/or cultural identity? 
A: Since each person or group uses different descriptors, we suggest that you ask the person about their preference. Due to historical, regional or family differences, a person may prefer one term or another. Our stance is to allow others self-identify themselves in whatever ways that it is meaningful for them. We believe this attitude of Christ-like sensitivity goes a long way in building relationships. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Do not act out of selfish ambition or self-conceit but with humility think of others better than yourselves." (Phillipians 2:3, Int'l Std. Version)

Q: How many students of color are on campus?
A: As of this Fall semester in 2009, 26% of the student body or 341 students self-identified as students of color. 

Q: How many faculty of color do we have at Westmont? How many women faculty? How many international faculty?
A: As of this Fall semester in 2009, 13% of our full-time faculty are persons of color and 34% are women. The list below include U.S. born and/or raised faculty of color and international faculty from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Q: Who is a TCK or MK?
A: A TCK or "third culture kid" is a student whose family lives and works in another country either in business, diplomacy, military or Christian service. Third Culture refers to the idea that one is neither completely belonging in one culture or another, and thus creates a third culture per se.

An MK or "missionary kid" is a student whose family is or has served as missionaries typically in another country, and is a subset of TCKs. That is not every TCK is an MK but every MK is a TCK.

Q: How many international students are there? How many missionary and third-culture students?
A: As of this Fall semester of 2012, we have 8 international students and 9 MK and TCK students. 

Q: What kind of leadership opportunities in ICP are available?
A: Students may apply to lead an Intercultural Organization (ICO), lead as a co-director for all the ICOs or as a co-director for Racial Equality and Justice (REJ). Find out more at their pages on this website or the current students page. 

Q: What are the Intercultural Organizations and who can lead or participate?
A: The ICOs are student-led groups that are focused on race, ethncity and/or culture.Currently there are five organizations . They are the Asian Student Association (ASA). Black Student Union (BSU),Latino Cultural Organization (LCO), Hawai'i No Ka 'Oi, Mixed Race, and Nomads for International, MKs and TCKs. In the past we have had students lead an Armenian Student Association, a Filipino American Student Association, an Italian-American club and an Americana organization.

Q: Are White students allowed to participate in ICO events and leadership?
A: Yes. All students are welcome to ICO events as well as apply to lead an ICO.

Q: What is REJ?
A: REJ stands for Racial Equality and Justice and it is a student-led organization that is focused on race, race relations and racial justice. The organization was started in 2002 by a White, male student who after taking an Ethnic Groups class, felt it was important that he and his peers delve more deeply into issues of White privilege and power as well as racial prejudice and discrimination. REJ is the result of his initiative and commitment to justice and equality.

Since 2002, over eighty students, staff and even parents have participated in the annual spring break service learning project in Jackson, Mississippi with the John M. Perkins Foundation and visited key Civil Rights sites in Birmingham, Alabama.

This year students may register to take the REJ seminar and earn G.E. credit for Serving Society and Enacting Justice. For more information, contact the department at icp@westmont.edu

ICP Connect: Intercultural Programs Fall Retreat

The ICP Office is hosting the ICP Fall Retreat “connect” from Friday, September 29th to Sunday, October 1st 2017.  The vision of this retreat is to welcome students into the ICP Community as well as connect students to the resources, faculty and staff involved with our office.

Retreat Goals/Objectives

• Create an opportunity early in the academic year for students interested in Intercultural Programs to meet and build community alongside staff and faculty invested in supporting ethnic and racial diversity on campus
• Provide an opportunity to introduce our six Intercultural Orgs (ICOs) and connect students who are looking to get more involved in exploring ethnic identity

Women's DiversiTEA

Each year Intercultural Programs invites Westmont's women students, staff, and faculty to gather in fellowship and explore the intersection of ethnic, gender and faith identity.

Cost is FREE and light refreshments are served.

The Next Step

Intercultural Programs at Westmont College will host its fifth annual “The Next Step” workshop focused on racial identity over the Martin Luther King Jr weekend.

The goal of this interactive workshop is to bring students together to engage in reflection, dialogue, and initiative around issues of multicultural and racial identity as a community.  Students are invited to participate in this workshop to engage in this intercultural/cross cultural dialogue. This is a FREE workshop, simply register ahead of time.

NOTE: This is taking place over the three day MLK weekend. Please plan accordingly as you consider your schedule and register for this Saturday, one-day workshop.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Group shot form the fourth The Next Step (Jan 2016)

Group shot from the third The Next Step (Jan 2015)

Group shot from the second The Next Step (Jan 2014)

Group shot from the first annual The Next Step (Jan 2013)

SCORR at Biola University

SCORR is a national two-day conference during which students, staff, and faculty from various Christian colleges and universities join together to celebrate and learn of the diversity within the body of Christ.
Conference attendees will engage in dialogue and instruction that seeks transformational growth, resulting in the building of God’s Kingdom on earth.

Here is a link to the conference website:https://www.biola.edu/scorr2017

Faculty-Staff Diversity Network (FSDN)

Mission:

The Westmont College Faculty-Staff Diversity Network (FSDN) exists for faculty and staff of color at Westmont to gather and to intentionally build support for one another in our experiences as professionals of color in higher education.

This network will support both the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff of diverse ethnic backgrounds as it seeks to create consciousness on issues of diversity and multicultural identity. Further, this network will build on existing community and continue to intentionally develop a network of support for the students of color at Westmont College.

Structure/Format:

Faculty-Staff Diversity Network is not designed to be a working group, but rather an opportunity to network with colleagues and build community within our professional roles in the Westmont community.

Two co-chairs, one from staff and one from faculty will coordinate the FSDN.  They will partner together to coordinate initiatives within the group.

FSDN will meet at least once a semester and once during the summer.  Outside of these meetings, the network can engage in other initiatives to engage in networking and/or connect and support students on campus.

(FSDN Dinner, Summer 2016)