The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement officially opened Wednesday. Located on the first floor of the Stewart Residence Hall, the center is the newest addition to the university’s efforts in promoting diversity on campus. The mission for the center is to “work enthusiastically to develop programs and services that support The University of Mississippi’s core value of inclusiveness.”
The opening ceremony took place outside of Stewart Hall with an audience of students, faculty and staff. During the ceremony, Chancellor Dan Jones reflected on his experience dealing with cross cultural engagements and diversity.
“This is a service for all students to help make this a better place, a better state and a better country,” Jones said.
Following Chancellor Jones, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brandi Hephner LaBanc spoke about how far the university has come and the campus improvements due to the dedication of students.
Beginning in 2012, the Multicultural Center Working Group began the process of forming the center, despite the years of concern for the latest addition. Following Chancellor Jones’ diversity action plan, the Center for Inclusion will play a major role in creating programs and providing services that encourage more cross cultural experiences for students.
Hephner LaBanc explained the impact of students and staff who created the idea for the center.
“The dedication of the student group that first conceptualized this department has come to final realization, and the dedication of the faculty and staff that supported their ideas through that process has been rewarded,” she said.
The center is under the direction of Shawnboda Mead, a graduate of Mississippi State and Western Kentucky University and the former associate director for Diversity and Multicultural Education at The University of Tennessee.
“We want to aid and give our attention to our underrepresented students and population,” Mead said.
Kiesha Reeves, senior criminal justice major, said she believes it’s time for the university to make this step. Reeves was the victim of racial discrimination last spring after being harassed by Ole Miss students in the parking lot of her apartment complex.
“I’m so excited and grateful for the new step the university is making,” Reeves said. “I believe this is long overdue, and I’m hopeful it’ll bring the changes that many of us students are looking for.”
The dedication ceremony is part of UM’s Racial Reconciliation Week.
Ann-Marie Herod, co-director of inclusion for the Associated Student Body, said she is enthused about the university’s latest effort.
“I’m very excited about the center being here at the university,” Herod said. “It just shows the strides we’re making as a whole to make Ole Miss a better place.”
