Celebrate diversity with Multicultural Education Week’s lineup of speakers and events
Next week from Monday, Feb. 24 through Friday, Feb. 28 is Multicultural Education Week, which is held every fall and spring semesters of each academic year to help celebrate diversity, spark conversations around important topics and have some fun while doing it. Students, faculty and staff are invited to the events happening all week around campus in a variety of capacities—including speakers, panel discussions, a pop-up coffee house and a festival.
Below is the schedule of events for this semester’s upcoming Multicultural Education Week.
Monday, Feb. 24
Speaker: Matthew Shenoda
“The Stakes of Diversity in Higher Education Today”
Bazarsky Lecture Hall, 7-9 p.m.
In this talk, Matthew Shenoda, associate provost for social equity and inclusion at Rhode Island School of Design will speak about how we think about diversity and its intersections in higher education today. He will speak to some of his own work in this area and how we can think about systemic frameworks to transform higher education.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Speaker: Dr. Cornel West
“A Conversation with Dr. Cornel West”
moderated by Dr. Kelli Armstrong, president of Salve Regina
Bazarsky Lecture Hall, 7-9 p.m.
Note: This event is currently sold out.Â
Dr. Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He is professor of the practice of public philosophy at Harvard University and holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. He’s also taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard and the University of Paris. Dr. West has written 20 books and edited 13, and he is best known for his classics, “Race Matters” and “Democracy Matters,” and for his memoir, “Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud.” His most recent book, “Black Prophetic Fire,” offers an unflinching look at nineteenth and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Multicultural Coffee House
Angelus Hall 102, 4-6 p.m.
The coffee house is a social activity that showcases various cultures and traditions from all around the world. Sample coffees and pastries from a variety of cultures and listen to live music and storytelling presented by Salve Regina students.
Thursday, Feb. 27
Discussion Panel:
“A Day in My Shoes: Life As a Minority in the United States”
Bazarsky Lecture Hall, 7-9 p.m.
Under-represented communities often struggle to have their voices heard, but if their experiences and their stories go unheeded, everyone is the poorer for it. Many in Salve Regina’s community have faced difficulties because of their race, ethnicity or sexual identities, and this evening gives them an opportunity to share stories of the challenges and successes they have encountered. Make them feel heard by coming and demonstrating that no matter what their journeys have been like, they have a family on our campus who will listen and learn.
Friday, February 28
Multicultural Festival
Ochre Court, 7-11 p.m.
Multicultural Festival is an extravaganza that brings a celebratory end to Multicultural Week with a night of warmth, celebration and acceptance. Does anyone want some cultural exploration and tips from students? How about extraordinarily diverse attire and a fashion show? Come taste magnificent cuisine from every continent and see dances that have been passed from generation to generation.
Multicultural Education Week is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Residence Life, the Music Department, the Campus Activities Board, the Black Student Union, the Female Empowerment Organization and the Multicultural Student Organization.
To request more information, contact Rose Albert at rose.albert@salve.edu.