Andrews University is a diverse community that seeks to foster an environment of inclusion for all students. And to achieve this goal, the university established the Office of Culture and Inclusion, which is dedicated to promoting diversity and equity across all areas of the university. The office has played a crucial role in shaping the culture of the campus, promoting dialogue and understanding among students, faculty, and staff, and ensuring that all members of the community feel welcome and supported.
This office has partnered with many student-led clubs (Black Student Christian Forum, Andrews Filipino International Association, Andrews University Latino Association, African Student Association, Women's Empowerment Association of Andrews University, etc.), and there has been increased support for events that explore a wide range of topics. These events have included a workshop on microaggressions, a co-curricular series for Filipino American History Month, and an assembly for National Native American Heritage Month. Having these organizations shines a light on the campus and proves that diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. I spoke with the Andrews University Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, Michael T. Nixon, to hear his thoughts about the importance of the clubs. He said, “the student clubs and organizations are a huge part of what we do, and the engine of a lot of the efforts that we have on our campus because we feel that the campus is centered around student experience and achievement, so our programming should promote that. [It should] be by and for students and work to empower them to that end.”
The Office of Culture and Inclusion has important tasks that go beyond cultural diversity. For example, they have a partnership with WEAAU and had a hand in celebrating Women’s History Month. They held a service Sabbath and hosted a co-curricular series that spoke about the different waves of the American women’s movement, which brought a lot of awareness to how far we’ve come, but also how much more work there is to do. The office is also a support system for groups that have not always received adequate representation or care. As one example, Haven (co-facilitated by professors Shannon Trecartin and David Sedlacek) was established through our Campus & Student Life office to protect LGBTQ+ identifying students and give them a space where they can receive spiritual and emotional care and be given certain protections from harm. Dean Yeagley, from Student Life, as well as Michael Nixon, serve on the advisory board of Haven, along with advisory board chair Dr. Judith Fisher. The Office of Culture and Inclusion has also partnered with the Student Success Center and acknowledges disability as an important component of diversity. When students reach out for assistance, Student Success will work to make appropriate adjustments to aid a student's access to the experiences on campus.
As Andrews is one of the most diverse universities in the U.S., having faculty who echo the diversity of the students would create a more comfortable campus climate and would also improve the quality of interest and learning. Having a professor who looks like you or understands the things you may be going through creates a connection that brings a relationship, and a relationship brings understanding and knowledge. As a result, many students would feel more understood and seen if they were to see a more proactive effort to have our faculty reflect the students. “Studies have shown that having a diverse team with different perspectives will come up with better and more holistic ideas rather than a monocultural team,” says VP Nixon.
Additionally, as this is an Adventist university, it is important to have a religious point of view that inspires this office. VP Nixon described Luke 4 to me and the message of social justice it presents. “Jesus’s message to the people was to give good news to the poor, liberty to the oppressed, restoring sight to the blind, and ministering to those on the margins that are oftentimes excluded—and many people did not like that.” The heart of the message aligns with this office, which is “pointing out systems and structures, policies and practices that may seek to limit or oppress certain people groups. We carry the mantle to provide the work of restoration: restoring the sight to the blind speaks to restorative justice, and helping people who have lost things as a result of those oppressive systems.”
Overall, the Office of Culture and Inclusion has made significant contributions to the campus. Through its initiatives and programs, the office has helped cultivate a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. By promoting a culturally aware sense of community, this office is helping to prepare its students to become global citizens who can thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.