Office of Academic Affairs

The Racial & Ethnic Diversity Initiative at SPU

Office of Student Life: Commitment to Diversity, A Brief Summary


Minority Staff in OSL
OSL Office Staff: 1 staff
Student Programs: 2 staff; 2 student workers
Residence Life: 2 staff (including a new hire: African-American)
Career Counseling: 1 staff; 1 student worker
Learning Center: 0 Staff; 2 student workers
Student Counseling Center: ?

Minority Student Recruitment/Community Outreach Efforts
(NEW) Northwest Urban Youth Leadership Institute (Pre-College Summer Program - Funded by Lilly Grant)

  • Veeda (Easterly) Holmes coordinates this program
  • 19 ethnically diverse students participated. (40 are planned for this year)
  • 1 of the 19 participants has applied to come to SPU for Fall 2004***

Minority Financial Support

  • Ames Minority Leadership Scholarship Program (via Admissions Dept. over 100 Applied)
  • Ethnic Church Match & Student Program Scholarship (up to $1500/ 7 Students applied)
  • Intentionally Recruiting Minority Students to apply for Student Work positions in OSL

Minority Social Support

  • Ames For Excellence Program (Faculty/Staff Mentoring support Program for 5 Freshman Ames Scholars)
  • Early Connections Orientation (Minority Pre-Orientation & Support Program for 15-25 New students)
  • New Student Orientation – “Nu Expressions” (Cross-Cultural Hip/Hop welcome social at Orientation)
  • Intercultural Bridge Retreat (Annual Retreat with 60 students from various ethnic backgrounds)
  • MOSAIC Cadre/Club (a Multi-ethnic Student group with about 40+ active students meet weekly)
  • Bridges Floors - Resident Life Diversity Program (50 students on two Residential Floors)
    • Chuck Strawn: Developed & Coordinates this program
    • 2 Bridges Floors Student Ambassadors (Student work positions)
  • (New) SPU Gospel Choir (30+ students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Stephen Newby assists.)
  • Ohana Cadre (Hawaii Club)
  • NCMSLC Planning Committees

Student Diversity Training Efforts

  • SPU Values Difference Drama (New Student Orientation Diversity Session for 600+ New Students)
  • Student Leadership Diversity Training:
    • PA Training (50 Students)
    • Student Leadership Conference (250 Student Leaders)
    • National Christian Multicultural Student Leaders Conference (18-20 Students attended)
  • Reconciliation Emphasis Week (Chapels featuring: John Perkins, Brenda Salter McNeil , Richard Twiss)
  • The Tribes Project (An annual race education drama for the entire campus. Approx. 400 students attend.)

Intercultural Events & Activities

  • International Dinner (Fall event attracting over 100 students from various cultural backgrounds)
  • MLK Day Chapel and Events (Campus Community Event)
  • Lunar New Year Celebration (Performers & Food from various Asian countries. Att: 100 students)
  • Asian Heritage Month (Speakers, Video & Discussions: avg. att.: 35 students)
  • African American History Month Events (Speakers, Video & Discussions: avg. att.: 35 students)
  • African Celebration (Performers & Food from various African countries: avg. att.: 200 students).
  • Night of Beats — Annual Christian Hip/Hop Concert /Dance: Over 300 students attend).
  • Cinco de Mayo
  • Ohana Annual “May Day” Celebration (in Gwinn Dinning Hall)

ASSP Diversity Initiatives

  • Intercultural Director (Paid staff position. Reports to ASSP Pres. & Chairs IIC)
  • Intercultural Initiatives Committee (8 –10 students serve on this committee)
  • Intercultural Senator (Elected Position)


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