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SDIS office space

Student Diversity & Inclusion Services

Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) promotes diversity and social justice awareness for all students through personal interactions, leadership and training opportunities, and various sponsored and co-sponsored educational programs. We aim to ensure the retention and graduation rates of students of color (i.e., Asian/Pacific-Islander, Hispanic/Latino/a or Chicano/a, African American, and Native American/American Indian) are equitable, and to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

SDIS exists to enhance the campus climate and holds deep commitment in developing and sustaining a diverse campus ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in the broadest sense including differences in gender, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin, and physical ability, through programs and initiatives aimed at St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ students. Our work is based on four pillars: education, leadership, advocacy, and ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.

Education, Leadership, Advocacy and Community are the hallmarks of the SDIS Office. Our vision and approach are designed to uplift the stories and experiences of students of color in our work using a cultural wealth model and support the self-examination of many identities.

We encourage learning and development of the experiences of our students through examination and practice across those identities such as race, ethnicity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, and ability in their engagement in our signature programs, and collaborating with the DEI efforts of the St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ who support those students.

Visit Us

Anderson Student Center - Room 224

Email: studentdiversity@stthomas.edu

Phone: (651) 962-6460

Our values

  • Engage in practices of care and compassion in the individual and ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ needs of our students.
  • To dismantle structural inequalities and challenge the framework of white supremacy
  • To continue to grow our work to meet the needs of a diverse student population and celebrate their impact and legacy on the University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
  • To create a more just, brave, and equitable environment to empower students
  • Education and the practice of social justice and activism are central commitments of our initiatives to connect with the goals of advancing and promoting the Common Good at the university.

Programs and Scholarships

Events Series and Programs

Student Diversity and Inclusion Services sponsors programs that are designed to increase awareness of diversity and social justice. Programs may include speakers, educational programs, retreats and social opportunities.

Heritage & History Month Celebrations

One such series is our Heritage & History Month programs, which encourage students from all backgrounds to learn more about the diverse and multicultural mosaic upon which our communities are built.

Movies That Matter

The Movies That Matter Series highlights films that explore the history, identities, and stories of diverse communities. It unites us through the use of visual storytelling to think about our own identities and values. We hope that students come willing to learn and leave with a deeper appreciation of the diversity in our world.

BIPOC Gathering Circle

BIPOC gathering circle is an opportunity for Black, Indigenous, students of color at St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ to come together to share cultural and racial experiences with each other.

Gathering circles allow people to share in healing, benefiting from the collective energy of the group, while supporting everyone to grow and strengthen themselves.

Heritage & History Month Celebration Calendar

Community Month

Latine Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15

LGBTQIA+ History Month

October

National Native American Heritage Month

November

Black History Month

February

Women’s History Month

March

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

April - May

Pride Month June
DAB members at activity fair

Additional Programming

Diversity Activities Board

The Diversity Activities Board (DAB) is a student programming board advised by Student Diversity and Inclusion Services. DAB programming emphasizes education, enrichment and engagement on social justice and inclusion through lectures, music, workshops, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ building, cultural celebrations, and various other social justice events.

photo of a student handing out qmunity t-shirt

Holistic programming to empower LGBTQIA+ students

Qmmunity

The Qmmunity program funded by donors, serves students with annual events to honor history and celebrate LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and cultural icons, with an annual Lavender graduation, networking, student success resources, outings into the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and more. Student Diversity and Inclusion Services also has a Qmmunity space for students to go and be themselves and find a warm and welcoming place to build ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.

Student sitting in the Intercultural Center during opening ceremony

ASC 230

Visit the Intercultural Center

The Intercultural Center is a space where we can engage in building a deep intercultural understanding of one another within our campus ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. This space actively engages across differences, collaborates with others, and provides learning opportunities to explore ways to be more intercultural competent.

The Center aims to engage our campus ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in the complexities of the world and inspires to be a place where students will feel validated, safe, and supported.