Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)

Culture at Chenango Food Series

With the continued success and effective partnership with Binghamton University Dining Services, the MRC once again promoted the Culture at Chenango Food Series for the campus community during the spring semester. We had three themed events in the Chenango Room, when several student organizations were able to assist and support:

• Feb. 20: Black History Month Edition, sponsored by the BU Gospel Choir, JUMP Nation, Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society
• March 20: Eastern European Edition, sponsored by the MRC Cultural Connects volunteers and interns
• April 24: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Edition, sponsored by the Asian Student Union

Women’s Empowerment and Excellence Award Campaign

During Women’s History Month in March, the Multicultural Resource Center announced its annual Women’s Empowerment and Excellence Award campaign, celebrating members of the campus community by recognizing faculty, staff and students for their work and dedication through the platform of higher education. Spring 2018 recipients were:
• Faculty Excellence Award: Assistant Professor of Human Development Denise Yull and Professor of Management Shelley Dionne
• Campus Staff Excellence Award: Associate Director of Student Conduct Jazell Johnson and Associate Director of the Fleishman Center Erin Cody
• Student Excellence Award: Samantha Ng and Kara Brown

These recipients have been remarkable in terms of their work ethic, advocacy toward diversity and efforts to make the campus community a better place for all members.

All Aboard Tours & Travel: Campus tour partnership growth

Recently, The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) has begun to build a strong partnership with All Aboard Tours & Travel, a company based in New Jersey, through which our student staff have volunteered time to provide visiting and prospective middle-school and high-school students a chance to see the Binghamton University campus. We have hosted two educational institutions in the New York City area, comprising about 60 students and 15 chaperones, providing exposure to both the campus and the MRC space. During the spring 2018 semester, the MRC was hosted the Upward Bound program of Manhattan Community College and the Bronx Envision Academy. These tours provided an encouraging opportunity for all students, allowing us to foster experiences and a genuine discussion about what it is like for students of color to attend a four-year college. The MRC anticipates continued support for this program as we gain more exposure for the center and our campus as a whole.

Cultural Recognition Ceremony

The Inaugural Cultural Recognition Ceremony was held Thursday, May 17, for graduating seniors.  This ceremony gave the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Multicultural Resource Center a platform to help celebrate the efforts and contributions from students of color here at Binghamton University. It was a rewarding experience for staff members to be a part of the planning committee and to develop a program that can be implemented for future graduating ceremonies. This year, we awarded our senior class members with a graduating cord and a certificate of cultural community excellence that help symbolize their commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. We are evaluating the overall execution of the event, and look forward to making improvements for future years.