As senior Brittany Pomilee reflects on her final year at 91制片厂, she says her involvement with diversity and inclusion on campus 鈥渉as shaped me into the young woman I am today.鈥�
Pomilee is president of the Association of Black Collegians. Because of her role, she is also a member of Leaders for Equity, Advancement and Diversity (L.E.A.D.), a council made up of 32 students who have an executive role in a cultural or social awareness student group on campus.
Participants directly communicate with school administrators, faculty and staff as they promote multicultural awareness and a welcoming campus environment. Through their work, students continue to gain important career skills, and participation on the council also gives them a sense of ownership over the work of diversity and inclusion on campus, says Tiffany Reed, program coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the group鈥檚 advisor.
鈥淭he social and cultural awareness groups they lead allow students of diverse identities to amplify their voices and build cultural learning experiences for the community,鈥� Reed says. 鈥淥ur student leaders are聽creating spaces for the majority of students on campus to learn about cultures and identities different from their own.鈥�
Student leaders benefit from a wider network because of their involvement, says Turan Mullins, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion.
鈥淏eing engaged through the cultural groups gives student leaders the opportunity to connect and build community with people who share similar backgrounds and traditions, allowing them to feel a sense of belonging,鈥� he says.
Soad Salem, sophomore and vice president of the Middle Eastern Student Association, helped found her organization last year because she felt an absence of representation for Middle Eastern students on campus.
鈥淲e want people to be able to distinguish between religion and culture when it comes to the Middle East. Many people have misconceptions or are unaware of different cultures,鈥� Salem says. 鈥淭he only way we can grow as individuals is by educating ourselves. The more we learn about each other, the more we can feel united.鈥�
The success of student organizations represented by L.E.A.D. is largely due to the hard聽work and creativity of the student leaders, but also the support of Maryville鈥檚 administration, says Reed. She points to the important role of 鈥渢op-down leaders who understand and appreciate the value of diversity and inclusion and hearing ideas and concerns straight from the students.鈥�
Last year, Mark Lombardi, PhD, president of Maryville, and Nina Caldwell, EdD, vice president for student life, partnered with the student organization Abolishing Barriers Through Leadership and Empowerment as well as the L.E.A.D. Council to improve accessibility on campus. After assessing the needs, students used their findings to inform a proposal for the president. As a result, Maryville now has more accessible restrooms, and hands-free doors have been installed in many locations.
Students also successfully advocated for gender inclusive restrooms and prayer space that accommodates Muslim students.
Pomilee says her favorite memory with the L.E.A.D. Council is meeting with Lombardi and Caldwell about new and upcoming campus events that were planned with the聽assistance of council members.
鈥淭he conversation showed each organization鈥檚 growth and dedication to the movement of diversity and inclusion,鈥� Pomilee says. Their work is valuable across campus, Reed says. Even so,聽pushing for progress can be difficult, especially for students who are positioned at the forefront of change on campus.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e pouring so much energy into our campus,鈥� says Reed. 鈥淧art of what we try to do is pour love and support back into them.鈥�
Charatthep Khunchan, sophomore and president of the Hawaiian Asian Pacific Islander Association (HAPA), says the relationships he聽has developed through L.E.A.D. have made a powerful impact on his campus experience. And his circle keeps growing.
鈥淭hey all come from different backgrounds and cultures and are passionate in different things,鈥澛燢hunchan says. 鈥淚鈥檝e gained so much support, knowledge, confidence and friends through being a part of L.E.A.D. Because of that my college experience has been amazing.鈥�
This story originally appeared in the .听