Colleges and universities are touted as being spaces for sharing diverse knowledge and interacting with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Many schools emphasize their heterogeneity and ability to connect all students and faculty together harmoniously. At Hofstra University, this is made possible by the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion (IEI).
“It is an office dedicated to exposing our students to diversity and inclusive practices on our campus,” said Gillian Atkinson, the director of IEI and associate director of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. “We oversee over 50 clubs and organizations in three different categories: identity-based clubs, such as the African Student Association or The Pride Network; the politically and socially active clubs; as well as our faith-based clubs.”
IEI was formed as a branch out of the Multicultural International Student Programming office in 2014 in efforts to appeal to student organizations that did not focus on international student relations.
“The split was done to truly emphasize on diversity training for everyone on campus,” Atkinson said.
Additionally, IEI facilitates two mentor programs, PRISM and Diversity Peer Mentors.
“Anybody who’s a first-year or transfer student, or really anybody who is trying to integrate into the Hofstra community, can be paired up with a mentor who will do different events with them,” said Amanda Del Gaudio, assistant director of LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Awareness.
The office provides many outlets for students to communicate with various clubs and departments that they are interested in joining.
“We have caucuses for each of the categories of clubs that way the [executive board] members of these organizations with similar interests can kind of see each other and collaborate,” said Foyinsi Adegbonmire, a graduate assistant for IEI.
“The office also does programming for each of the Heritage months in the academic calendar and we work with clubs who want to coordinate events for these months. Recently for Latinx Heritage Month, we’ve taken trips to Museo del Barrio with the Caribbean Student Association and other things like that,” Adegbonmire said.
The office is also available as a meeting place or lounge area for students to network and spend time together as well. “We’re not just here doing paperwork,” Del Gaudio said. “We love interacting with students and hearing their ideas for new programs or just hanging out with us in the office.”
