Diversity and Multicultural Programs
Multi-Cultural Council
The Multi-Cultural Council (MCC) is a student organization that serves as a liaison between the
Student Government Association and other registered student
organizations comprised of underrepresented groups.
MCC promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of these historically underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, the Asian Student Organization (ASO), the Association of Black Collegians (ABC), the Human Relations Programming Council (HRPC), the International Student Organization (ISO), the Irish American Society (IAS), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Organization of African Students (OAS), the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Trigon (a gay/lesbian/bisexual support group), and Women Today.
MCC acts as an advisory organization designed to promote unity and cooperation among its member organizations. MCC assists in the coordination of such events as The Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, Hispanic and Black History Months, and many other programs.
Multicultural Resource Center
The Multicultural Resource Center is a suite of offices housing many of the member groups of the Multi-Cultural Council (MCC). Housed on the first floor of the Reed Union Building, the center serves as a central repository of diversity-related materials and information.
The center meets a variety of student needs by: providing a central meeting/resource area for students who participate in MCC member organizations; making diversity-related materials available to students; and demonstrating support for people of differing cultures and from historically underrepresented groups.
Cultural and Performing Arts Series
The Rhythms of Life Series is a colorful series that provides hours of lively and interesting entertainment.The performances in this series give true meaning to the word "diverse" as they have ranged from comedy and music to drama and visual storytelling. Past performers have included Native Nations Dance Theatre, Tai Yim's Dragon & Lion Chinese Dancers, Irish music, Inca and Aztec dancers, Rhythms and Blues, All-American Dixieland Band, and much more.
Multicultural Programs and Activities
Penn State Erie sponsors a variety of activities that promote the exploration of the richness of the human experience. From the arts to current social issues, the college uses a variety of programming methods to encourage a dialog on differences in a respectful environment. Highlights of the college's efforts include:
Speaker Series
A two-time winner of the National Association for Campus Activities' Best Lecture Series Award, the Penn State Erie Speaker Series brings nationally recognized speakers to campus to both educate and entertain students, faculty, and staff on a multitude of current issues.
Speakers have included Dr. Benjamin Hooks, Shirley Chisholm, Frank Deford, Julian Bond, Maya Angelou, former Vice President Dan Quayle, Alan West, Spike Lee, Danny Glover, the Honorable Alan Page, Brandi Chastain, Gloria Steinem, Jesse Jackson, and George Stephanopoulos. All Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Students have the opportunity to serve as hosts for speakers and attend a dinner prior to the program.
Feminist Scholars Speaker Series
This series brings cutting-edge leaders in feminist thought to campus to discuss issues ranging from reproductive case law to depictions of new female heroines through the use of children's literature. Past speakers in this series have included Emily Arnold McCully, Dr. Constance Coiner, and Dr. Ruth Hubbard.
Film Series
Penn State Erie hosts several film series that are closely associated with special observations and celebrations. This year, the Women's Film Series and International Film Series will focus on world cultures and gender issues. Both series feature internationally renowned artists and directors.
Culture Week
Organized by the Student Government Association's Diversity Committee, Culture Week is a week-long celebration of diversity. Activities include speakers, artistic performers, cultural displays, food, music, and dance from many cultures. It also includes the distribution of pamphlets and brochures with important information and relevant resources.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Penn State Erie has a campus-wide program to commemorate the birth and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. All classes are relocated to the celebration so that students, faculty and staff may attend the program.
For more information on the college's diversity and multicultural programs, contact the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs at 814-898-7101 in the Reed Union Building.