Multicultural Affairs
Unity + Diversity = University
The purpose of the Multicultural leadership Institute is to provide a forum for discussing issues related to the transition of first-year students of color to Rider. Through a series of open-ended meetings/seminars, future Rider student leaders of color will receive guidance from and interact with Rider faculty, staff, and alumni.
Recognizing that leadership is a process of growth, issues will include three phases: college survival strategies, self-exploration, and cross-cultural communication. Each of these skills is essential for the development of effective student leaders at Rider University.
Multicultural Diversity Training
The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service compliments and supports the university’s efforts to teach and foster understanding and appreciation of different cultures—ways of life shared by groups of people.
Cultural diversity at Rider is viewed as an essential part of our educational mission. The purpose of diversity training involves not only providing support for those who are different but simultaneously educating everyone for living in a multicultural society.
Campus-wide diversity training at Rider was initiated the fall semester of 1991. To date, programs include:
- Freshman Orientation
- Training for Staff of the Student Affairs Division and Student Organizations
- Satellite Teleconferences on diversity training
The Center also holds an array of campus wide programs aimed towards diversity appreciation and comprehension. Some programs the Center participates in or hosts are:
- UNITY Day
- Celebration of Lights
- World AIDS Day
- Black History Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Asian Appreciation Month
- Coming Out Day
- Annual Diversity Retreat
Research/Collections of Multicultural Information and Displays
One of the primary functions of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service is to offer a repository of cultural and historical information to Rider University. Emphasis focuses on works of important African, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian authors. Many periodicals, publications, and culturally related books are available in the Center.
Many periodicals, publications and culturally related books are available in the Center. Periodicals include: Savoy, Essence, Hispanic, Black Issues in Higher Learning, The Crisis, U.S. News and World Report, and Choctaw Community News.
Community Service/Service Learning Opportunities
As the student led service movement continues to spread, the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service has played a central role in empowering students to work for social change. Students are provided opportunities to use their personal gifts, talents, and passions directly along-side community agencies.
Service Opportunities exist in a variety of forms and address a wide range of issues from the environment, to hunger & homelessness, to mentoring & tutoring and even working with disabled populations, students may choose to get involved in a one-time service project, become a regular volunteer or even take part in our service based scholarship program. For more information click here.
Service Based Scholarship
The Rider Community Scholars Corps is a unique team of students working for social change through service to area non-profits. Rider has developed partnerships with the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation and Americorps to provide students in the program a stipend and scholarship for their service, Each year the corps completes over 12,000 hours of service at area agencies while tutoring, mentoring, and working toward hunger relief. For more information click here.
Support for Campus Cultural and Ethnic Organizations
The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service supports all of the ethnic based organizations. The Center coordinates and promotes program efforts with all campus cultural organizations. Here are a few of Rider University’s more popular cultural organizations:
- Asian Students at Rider (ASAR)
- Black Student Union (BSU)
- Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
- German Club
- HILLEL (Jewish Student Organization)
- International Club
- Latin American Student Organization (LASO)
- Muslim Student Association (MSA)
- Rider's Organization of Caribbean Affiliated Students (ROCAS)
- Slavic Club
Links
The Bonner Foundation
Americorps
Contact Information:
Multicultural Affairs
609-895-5781
Community Service
609-896-5000 x7295
Rider Community Scholars
Bonner Leaders
609-896-5247
