Multicultural Student Services changes its name to Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services
Coastal Carolina University’s Office of Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services may have received a new name on July 1, but its goal remains the same – to provide cultural development opportunities for all students on campus to learn about other cultures and create a safe, supportive and inclusive campus environment.
“We wanted the name change because the new name sends the message that our services are not just for African-American students,” said Patricia Singleton-Young, the previous director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services, who retired on June 30. “I’m very pleased with the name change.
“We looked at what we were doing, and we were doing more than just multicultural – we were really doing intercultural,” said Singleton-Young. The difference between multicultural and intercultural is small but significant. Multicultural means of or having to do with various cultures; intercultural means between or among people of different cultures.
“Our goal with the name change is to encourage non-minorities to come to our programs and get involved,” said Singleton-Young. She said the majority of CCU students are white, and their attendance or involvement in the programs has been low in the past. “The goal is for Asian students, Hispanic students, African-American and white students to all come and participate [in the events and programs organized by the office].”
Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services focuses on student involvement by hosting discussions and workshops on equity and social justice, and organizing campuswide events like the Cultural Celebration and Intercultural Showcase.
“The goal is exposure, and once you get the exposure [to different cultures], hopefully you will see the world differently,” said Singleton-Young.
The process of creating a new, more inclusive title for the office began back in 2014. It was put on hold and then revisited as the University developed its 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. In 2016, the timeline was set and brainstorming began on several possible versions of the name. Some that were proposed include: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
There was a lot of discussion between Singleton-Young; Franklin Ellis, assistant director of Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services; and Travis Overton, vice president for executive initiatives and chief of staff.
Singleton-Young and Ellis surveyed other colleges and attended conferences to learn about how to enhance CCU’s diversity programs. They then collaborated with Overton, who proposed potential names, and eventually CCU President David A. DeCenzo approved it. The approval process took about three months and, overall, Singleton-Young said the process went smoothly.
The office is undergoing other updates such as hiring a new leader. Ashley Gaddy will take Singleton-Young’s place as the new director of Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services beginning July 1. In addition, the University hired Atiya Stokes-Brown, in the inaugural position of assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion.
Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services is located in Room A-102 inside the Lib Jackson Student Union.
Learn more about the Office of Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services at coastal.edu/intercultural/
Social media:
Twitter: IISS_CCU
Facebook: facebook.com/interculturalatcoastal/