Support Programs
The Multicultural Student Programs and Services offers the following academic programs:
Mentoring Matters, MSPS's mentoring program, is available for first-year, first time students.
Safe Zone is a place where one can feel free to talk about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning without fear of criticism or hatred.
On Saturday, February 4, 2012, College of Charleston Multicultural Student Programs & Services (7 students), ROAR Scholars (6 students), and the Bonners Leaders Program (4 students) accompanied by ROAR Scholars Director, Tom Holcomb and MSPS Associate Director, David G. Michener, attended the 26th annual Student Leadership & Diversity Conference in Columbia, SC.
The conference provided an opportunity for students to interact with individuals from various schools and it strived to create a dialogue about various leadership and diversity topics. Universities from across the south region were in attendance such as Duke University, Wake Forest University, and University of Alabama. This year’s conference featured over 30 workshop sessions and two keynote speakers, Joshua Fredenburg and Marie-Louise Ramsdale, and a few topics included leadership strategies for generation Y, diversity education, and organizational training.
"I definitely believe that I can incorporate that theme in my daily leadership lifestyle after attending this year’s conference. The opening keynote speaker, Joshua Fredenburg, provided the conference attendees with leadership strategies and challenges for our generation. He mentioned that in order to become America’s Next Top Leader, we have to ask ourselves questions regarding the following topics: possessing a vision, self-awareness, exceptional character, a dream team, exceptional people skills, and resilience. After attending the session, “It’s More Than Just Traveling! The Professional Benefits of Studying Abroad,” I was able to gain a different perspective about studying abroad. I will be able to use this information to formulate requests for letters of recommendation and expound on my upcoming study abroad experience to future employers in an appeasing manner. I also attended the following sessions: “Are You Wearing Your Letters with P.R.I.D.E.” and “The Importance of Acceptance.” I felt that the conference was beneficial to me and my quest to be a better leader within my affiliated organizations." Candice Ulmer
"What I took away from the experience at USC was simply that everyone is different, and that everyone has their own perspective on issues in diversity. The USC conference not only expanded my horizons on what diversity is, but it also taught me how to overcome diversity as well as work along side by side with people from different backgrounds. The USC conference definitely brought to the table the issue of diversity within gender, and I really appreciated that because as a young women of diverse racial backgrounds I also come in contact with diversity within the work place. I think that attending the USC Diversity conference has inspired me to not be afraid and also to go after what I want in life. By giving me the insight to not only overcome diversity but take it by the reigns." Kyran Davis
"The main thing that stood out to me at the conference was how you should not give up on or hate people who have done terrible things, no matter how bad their deeds were. I get this message from Joshua's
story about the pastor, Molly Skinner, and how she was able to bond with the killer in the Sudan and turn him around so that he could help her make a difference in the country." Ebony Chisolm
