The Micah Committee brings together a broad representation of the campus community to develop goals, programs, policies, and institutional practices that create a
welcoming and supportive campus climate for students and employees of all races, nationalities, and ethnicities; encourage curriculum development and cocurricular programs that promote
racial justice and multicultural learning; and propose ways to dismantle racist practices and policies that exist within the
college.
Contact: Lawrence Burnley, Associate Dean of Multicultural Programs & Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Affairs, Micah Committee Chair
Website: http://www.messiah.edu/offices/multicultural/Initiatives/micah.html
 The mission of the First Year Student Network is to assist first-year and transfer students from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and cultural groups from the United States and International locations in their transition to Messiah College. "The Net" offers the resources that are needed as students adjust to the spiritual, educational, and social environment of Messiah College.
Meetings: The NET's first meeting of 2008-09 school year will be on the evening of Tuesday, September 9th!
Contact: Hierald E. Kane-Osorto, Associate Director of Multicultural Programs
The International Student Programs, under the umbrella of the Office of Multicultural Programs, provides international students and students who are the children of missionaries and other professionals living abroad with the tools to succeed during their college experience at Messiah College. Programming throughout the year is provided to help in the adaptation to the American educational experience and to celebrate international culture. In collaboration with the Admissions office, we provide assistance with visas and employment. We also offer a Friendship Family Program allowing students to build connections with the local community.
Contact: Dorca Kisare-Ressler, Director of International Student Programs
Website: http://www.messiah.edu/offices/multicultural/ISP/
In President Phipps’ August 2006 State of the College address, she stated “how important it will be for Messiah to embrace and embody ‘inclusive excellence’ if we are to educate our students to live and serve in a globally diverse world. To accomplish this educational objective, we must be a welcoming community that engages diversity on many levels.”
Toward this end, Kim has appointed a Campus Climate Assessment Task Force and has asked the Office of the Provost and the Office of Multi-cultural Programs to lead a campus climate assessment on diversity at Messiah. With the help of Rankin and Associates the Task Force they have conducted a campus-wide climate assessment. The results of this assessment will help inform the College’s strategic planning and ultimately result in a comprehensive diversity strategic plan for Messiah College. The aim of the diversity strategic plan is to assist the College in:
- Fostering a caring University community that provides leadership for constructive participation in a diverse, multicultural world.
- Opening its doors wider for underrepresented groups by creating a more accessible and welcoming environment.
- Improving the overall environment for working and learning on campus.
Timeline
| Semester |
Date |
Phase/Milestone |
| Fall 2006 |
|
Rankin & Associates were selected as the College's consultants on the project |
| |
|
The Formation of the Campu Climate Task Force from members of our community on campus representing a stake in various aspects of diversity. |
| Spring 2007 |
|
|
| |
February |
Rankin & Associates conducted focus group sessions to gather detailed qualitative data on the experience of various constituencies in their participation in the Messiah College Community. |
| |
March |
All current students and employees of the college were invited to complete the open Campus Climate Survey. |
| |
July 8 |
The Campus Climate Task Force Steering Committee recieved a 210-page initial report of the survey findings from Rankin & Associates, the consulting firm assisting with this effort. After reading and discussing the report, the Steering Committee met with the sonsultant to discuss several concerns and questions about the data and to lay out the next steps. |
| Fall 2007 |
|
|
| |
|
In response to the feedback and input of the Steering Committee, Rankin & Associates will develop a detailed powerpoint presentation to report its findings of the survey. |
| |
November 7 |
Rankin & Associates will conduct 4 Town Hall meetings to report on survey findings. |
| |
|
The complete report, as presented in the public forums, will be made available via the College website following the Town Hall meetings. |
| Spring 2008 |
|
|
| |
|
The Task Force will engage in ongoing analysis of the survey data and provide input to the development of the Diversity Plan as part of Messiah's strategic planning process. |
| Fall 2008 |
|
|
| |
|
Final Plan Presented |
For more about the survey and assessment process, please read the following:
Call For Support (PDF)
President's Invitation to Participate (PDF)
Initial Proposal Presentation by Rankin & Associates (PDF)
About our consultant: Rankin & Associates Consulting
The Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Reconciliation Immersion Program (RECRIP) is a course series designed to help students examine the role of the church and its use of the Bible in support of, and opposition to, racism in the United States and Apartheid in South Africa. Students will participate in cross-cultural exchange experiences, traveling to South Africa and the Southern United States, and dialoging with students and faculty at our South Africa partner institutions through both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing projects.
Contact:
Lawrence Burnley, Associate Dean for Multicultural Programs and Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Affairs
Website: http://www.messiah.edu/offices/multicultural/Initiatives/recrip.html |
