Rider University supports a number of campus-wide events/programs throughout the year that celebrate our diverse community and advance multicultural understanding.
Colorful connections is a collaborative event between Residence Life, The Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and Transition programs. The event is a social mixer to connect students of color to faculty and staff of color on Rider’s campus.
Hosted annually during Welcome Week, this reception welcomes individuals who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to convene in a safe place and start building community. Students will be able to learn about the LGBTQIA+ community on campus.
In the beginning of the fall semester of each year, all first-year and transfer students are invited to a welcome reception highlighting opportunities to engage with the diverse clubs and Greek organizations on the Rider campus.
Dialogue among students, faculty and staff in better understanding the challenges faced by events in the media describing tension in America. Also, these conversations, held at various times in each semester, address the negative experiences faced or observed by diverse students on both of Rider’s campuses. They are:
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports Latin American organizations in heightening the awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of Latin Americans to the American and global society. This important holiday is celebrated annually September 15 through October 15.
In November, we bring to the Rider University campus the Piscataway Indian Nation to perform their breathtaking and captivating traditional dances, representative of multiple regions of Maryland, North Virginia, New Jersey, and Ohio. This is how they continue to keep their culture alive through dances that depict celebrations of the Native American warrior, the women of their tribe, and wisdom, strength, and power. They stress that while there are many Native American tribes, who have different customs and practices, they are still one people no matter what.
This winter festival event occurs during the week prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday. It is the kickoff of the holiday season on the Rider campus with cultural traditions. Celebration of Lights highlights Three Kings Day, Eid, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Diwali, among others, and includes a special invited guest at the end of the evening.
During the month of February, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports initiatives to heighten awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of Blacks, including African Americans, Caribbeans, Africans, etc.to the American and global society.
Annual civil awareness day to recognize and provide solidarity to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is happy to support this day on the Rider campus whenever needed.
A cultural celebration celebrated in March designed to heighten awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of women to American and global society.
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports the programming which takes place to heighten awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of Asians/Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, to the American and global society. While the actual month of celebration is May, we celebrate this month in April because of the Commencement activities that take place in May.