1. Southern Connecticut State University
  2. Parent and Family
  3. Inclusive Communities

Inclusive Communities

 Southern strives to become a Social Justice institution in all aspects. We cultivate an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion through programming, clubs and organizations, and student advocacy.

students dancing in a parking lot

We implore you and your student to find the club, the event, or the department that makes them feel most at home! Our vice president of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Diane Ariza, provides institutional leadership and guidance in fostering an environment of equitable communities amongst all staff, faculty, and students.

Visit Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to learn more.

The Multicultural Center (MCC) provides learning opportunities that cultivate an inclusive educational environment where all students are successful and prepared for lifelong engagement in a global and multicultural society. The Multicultural Center provides opportunities for students of diverse populations to have a sense of belonging and connection to the campus and its resources. We implement programs and initiatives that enable students to develop multicultural competency, raise awareness of diverse cultures and foster respect for the diversity of all students. MCC serves as an advocate, resource, and vehicle of support for diverse student populations.

Heritage Months

  • Black History Month
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Asian American Heritage Month observance
  • Women's History Month observance
  • Native American Heritage Month
  • LGBTQ+ History Month observance

Multicultural Clubs and Organizations Affiliated with the Center

  • Stepping Up Drill Team
  • Chinese Club
  • PRISM
  • Steppin’ Up Drill Team
  • Face Models
  • Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
  • Newman Society
  • Hillel 
  • Spanish Club 
  • SISTERS IN SCHOOL ACHIEVING SUCCESS (S.I.S.T.A.S)
  • BROTHERHOOD OF SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCELLENCE (BROSE)
  • African Student Association  
  • Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS)  
  • N.A.A.C.P  
  • Muslim Student Association
  • Black Student Union      
  • Campus Crusade for Christ  
  • People to People Club
  • Asian Society
  • Curl Friends
  • Caribbean Student Association

To learn more, click here.

Multicultural Center

We are located in the Adanti Student Center, 2nd Floor, Room 234!

Director of Multicultural Student Activities

Dian Brown-Albert
(203) 392-5879
brownd2@southernct.edu

The Sexuality and Gender Equality (SAGE) Center is committed to providing a positive academic, cultural, and social environment where the LGBTQ+ community at Southern can learn, grow, and thrive. We help to promote inclusion through social and educational programming, advocacy, and support.

The SAGE Center is located in the Adanti Student Center room 324 and is a space for students to do homework, to hang out in between classes, or receive support and resources from the SAGE Center staff, including the SAGE Center Ambassadors. SAGE Center Ambassadors are students who serve as peer educators to promote inclusion in our community around issues that affect LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff through a variety of ways, including speaking engagements/facilitations, drop-in hours, and program development.

The SAGE Center is also home to the Open Door Closet which started as a modest wig and clothing drive, that grew into a robust collection of clothing, shoes, accessories, wigs, and toiletries that we are able to make available to students right in the SAGE Center. Students may need to utilize the Open Door Closet for a variety of reasons at various periods during their time at Southern and are always welcome to come to get items, no questions asked. 

The university community is able to stay connected to the SAGE Center staff as well as programming and initiatives through social media, Owl Connect, and the SAGE Center Discord Server, among other platforms.

To learn more, click here.

The SAGE Center

We are located in the Adanti Student Center, 3rd floor, Room 324!

Coordinator of the SAGE Center

Jenna Retort
(203) 392-7126
retortj1@southernct.edu

The Office of University Access Programs (UAP) is committed to serving first-generation, low-income, and other historically underrepresented students through academic and personal support. UAP promotes holistic growth through one-on-one advocacy with all their students. UAP's main goals through their services and programming are to connect and recruit students a part of a historically marginalized community (i.e. first-generation, low-income), help students stay in school, work to help increase students' GPAs, and encourage students to seek graduate schooling.

Services

  • Academic Enhancement
  • Counseling and Advocacy
  • Social-Emotional Learning
  • Financial Support
  • Culturally Competent Peer-to-Peer Mentoring 
  • Family Support
  • Diversity Recruitment
  • Institutional Commitment

Programs

  • Southern Educational Opportunity Program (SEOP)
  • New Haven Promise, Waterbury Promise, & Hartford Promise
  • Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
  • Promoting Academically Successful Students (PASS)
  • Pathways to Academic & Career Readiness (PACE)

Click here to find out more about what UAP has to offer.

University Access Programs

We are located in Engleman, Basement floor, Room B018!

Director of University Access Programs

Dawn Stanton
(203) 392-6814
stantond2@southernct.edu