Intercultural Student Affairs

At Governors State University there’s a good chance you’ll meet classmates who look a lot like you – or completely different. The diversity of our learning community is one of the things that makes us stand out – everybody fits in here. Our diversity is just one of the reasons GSU changes lives. We have programs that honor our diversity – and they’re just waiting for you to get involved in - special events, workshops, meetings and organizations. No matter which you choose, each recognizes the ethnic and cultural diversity of the campus as a community strength.

Celebrating Diversity & Social Justice

Let's celebrate diversity with our observance of history and heritage months. Throughout each designated month, Governors State University features a variety of programs and events highlighting the culture, traditions and contributions to society which these groups have made. During these months we host a variety of special events - you are bound to find one (or more) that you won't want to miss.

 

  • Male Success Initiative

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    Male Success Initiative Retreat

     Friday, September 14th - Sunday, September 16th

    Camp Manitoqua

     

     On Your Mark, Ready, Set….GROW!!!  These are the words that speak to the awesome experiences you will embark upon as a student at Governors State University.  College is a time of exploring, defining who you are and figuring out what it takes to be successful in college and beyond.  Well there's great news... 

    YOU ARE INVITED to become a part of the Male Success Initiative (MSI).   The Male Success Initiative is an intergenerational enrichment program designed to increase the retention, engagement and graduation rates of male students, particularly men of color at Governors State University.  The Male Success Initiative will focus on the following four tenets to enhance the educational experiences of program participants.

     

    Civic engagement

    Participants will engage in efforts that will enable them to serve others and gain experiences on how to be better leaders. 

    Cultural exploration

    Participants will engage in a wide range of opportunities to explore their creative, social and intellectual ambitions through immersion in cultural activities.   

    Curricular enhancement

    Participants will engage in seminars focused on study habits, time management and learning styles tutoring through peer to peer tutoring and study groups that will encourage scholastic achievement.

    Character enrichment

    Participants will engage in activities that will increase their consciousness about their own identity through social justice education to enhance personal and professional development

     

    Male Success Initiative Kick-off Retreat

     At this overnight off-campus excursion, dozens of new and returning male students come together to talk about transitioning to the GSU campus, team-building, sharing successes and overcoming setbacks, personal and collective visioning, and fellowship. The retreat is free and includes transportation there and back, meals, and snacks. For more information contact Sean Smith at ssmith5@govst.edu or x7619 or in A2133. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/msi-app-2018. 

  • Latino Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2018

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    Latino Heritage Month

    Latino Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Latinos in our global society past, present and future.  The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.  The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

     

    EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS

    September 15 – October 15

    LATINO HISTORY LITERARY WORKS & RESOURCES

    GSU Library

    GSU Library has a collection of books, DVDs, and eBooks dedicated to Latino Heritage. Visit www.govst.edu/library or contact us at library@govst.edu for more information.

    September 18 – 29

    LATINO HERITAGE MONTH DISPLAY

    B Wing Display Case

     

    PROGRAMS & EVENTS

    Monday, September 17

    EL GRITO CELEBRATION

    3– 6 p.m., Lakeside Lounge

    Come out and celebrate the kick off of Hispanic Heritage Month. Learn what "El Grito" is and how it kicked off the Mexican Independence War. Come have some fun with music, food, and a presentation on "El Grito”

    Wednesday, September 19

    LUNCH AND LEARN

    12:15-1:00 p.m., Jaguar Den

    This program focus on how current administration and politics effect the Latino community. What students will gain from this event is a better understanding of the current political climate in regards to the Latino Community and how they can be empowered as students to support the on campus Latino Community and the Latino Community at large.

    Thursday, September 20

    MARIACHI AND FLORAL DANCERS

    3 - 6p.m., Engbretson Hall

    Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with some music and dancing

    Wednesday, September 26

    TAMALE SALE

    12pm-6pm

    Fundraiser for ALAS. $15 for a dozen (12 Tamales). $6 dinner (2 Tamales, scoop of rice and 1 drink) and $2 per Tamale. Tamales are Chicken, Pork or Cheese.

    Wednesday, October 4

    LOTERIA

    3:30-5 p.m., Hall of Governors

    Take some time off classes and enjoy some Hispanic past times. Come play Loteria (Mexican Bingo) and enjoy some Mexican candy.

     

    Tuesday, October 9

    SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: BRAZIL

    3:30, Hall of Honors

    The GSU community will explore the landless movement that occupy unused land in Brazil and the criminalization of social movements in Brazil in around the world

     

    Wednesday, October 10

    OPEN YOUR WORLD. WELCOME OPPORTUNITY IN.

    11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Outside of the GSU LIBRARY

    Learn more about courses in Global Studies, Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies, and Spanish

     

    Before Columbus

    12:30, Skylight Gallery at the Library

    The Art and Cultures of Ancient Mexico and Guatemala
    Faculty talk and display of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Food will be served.

     

    Thursday, October 12th

    Tour of the National Museum of Mexican Art 

    1-5 p.m.

    Join us as we embark on a Mexican Art experience. Bus will be provided. Seats are limited.

  • 2018 Men's Leadership Summit - Friday, November 16th

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    The Men’s Leadership Summit explores the variety, as well as the essential elements of what it means to be a man in a leadership role.  The intersection of male gender and leadership will allow us to explore topics essential to create a cohort and community of male leaders who will begin the work of developing self-awareness and trust among peers to be positive contributors and influencers in their communities. 

     

     

  • LGBT History Month 2018

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    2018 LGBT HISTORY MONTH

     

    Governors State University proudly celebrates LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH with month-long calendar of programs and events!

    LGBTQ LITERARY WORKS & RESOURCES GSU Library

    Seeking to be more aware of the LGBT community? GSU Library has a collection of books, DVDs and eBooks dedicated to the LGBT experience. Visit www.govst.edu/library or contact us at library@govst.edu.

    October 2 – 16

    LGBTQ HISTORY DISPLAY

    B Wing Display Case

    PROGRAMS & EVENTS

     

    Monday, October 1

    Lecture Series

    6 p.m., Engbretson Hall

     

    Student Activities Council hosts monthly lecture series for the GSU campus and community.  As a part of LGBTQIA Awareness, month, Dr. Christienne Dyslin, College of Education-Psychology and UIC Education Training Specialist, Kenneth Vasser will detail their experiences as members of the LGBTQIA community and provide advice on how everyone can better increase their awareness and support.  Light refreshments Sponsored by Student Activities Council (SAC).

     

    Monday, October 11

    National Coming Out Day

    12 – 5 p.m., Hall of Governors

    Show your support for the LGBT community by creating customizable gear!

     

    Wednesday, October 17 

    Safe Zone Training

    12 – 2 p.m., B2203

    SafeZone is a training program open to faculty and staff ONLY at this time. The goal of this program is to raise awareness about the dynamics of gender and sexual orientation while exploring different ways to embody inclusive allyship for people of all orientations, genders, sexualities, identities, and levels of being out. RSVP at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SZFALL18

     

    Thursday, October 18

    Movie Night 

    7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Engbretson Hall

    Join GNSX for a movie and refreshments followed by a discussion.

     

    Friday, October 19  

    Pride For Our Soldiers

    1 – 3 p.m., Hall of Governors

    Stop by the Veterans Center information table and learn about the presence of LGBT in the military!  

     

    Tuesday, October 23

    Lunch & Learn

    12:15 – 1 p.m., Jaguar Den

    Join The Center on Halsted for lunch as they discuss ways to get involved and support the LGBT community. 

     

    Wednesday, October 24

    Mocktails and Drunk History: Stonewall Riots

    3:30 – 4:30 p.m., B2203

    It’s happy hour at GSU. Come by the Hall of Honors for Mocktail drinks and a screening of Drunk History. The GSU community will enjoy fun happy hour drinks while learning about an important event in LGBT history.

     

    Monday, October 29

    Jeopardy: LGBT Edition

    3 – 6 p.m., Engbretson Hall

    Join the men of MSI for a game of Jeopardy. The whole campus is invited out to see what they know about LGBT history!

     

    For updates and/or more information visit www.govst.edu/diversity or email diversity@govst.edu

     

  • Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration, November 19, 2018

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    The Pre Kwanzaa Celebration will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018.  This celebration will reflect a key element of Kwanzaa, according to Maulana Karenga, PhD, founder—to bring the community together so that it can collectively reflect on “the rich resource(s) and meaning of a people’s culture” and to individually and collectively affirm how they will contribute to enhancing the culture.  There will be vendors, performances and communal address.  This event is free and open to the public.  More details to come.

  • MLK Commemoration Program and Day of Service

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    Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Commemoration Program & Day of Service
    Monday, January 21, 2019

     The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program and Day of Service is an opportunity for members of the Governors State community and surrounding area to join thousands of Americans in honoring the work and legacy of Dr. King through community service. As Dr. King once said, “Everybody can be great, because everyone can serve.”
     

     

     

     

  • INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019

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    CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

    The Inclusive Leadership Conference is designed to help our academic communities create an understanding and appreciation for multiple identities through self-awareness while encouraging them to be free of misconceptions and prejudices through social justice education. Through interactive workshops and guided group discussions, participants will be able to:

     

    -Articulate principles of social justice

    -Recognize how their own experiences inform their leadership style and perceptions

    -Understand the importance of diversity in leadership

    -Identify dynamics of power and privilege when working in groups

     

    CONFERENCE THEME

    The conference theme for the 2019 Inclusive Leadership Conference is "This Is America". Inspired by Childish Gambino, This Is America challenges us to examine the fore and background of our lives, to pose questions that address how are “all men are created equal” depicted in our society. This year’s conference theme will help us to be transparent and redefine what does liberty and justice for all mean through the inequities that impact various aspects of our identity.

     

    KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Michael Benitez, Ph.D., is a nationally-acclaimed activist-scholar, practitioner, and educator with extensive experience with diversity issues in higher education.  Dr. Benitez has served higher education in different capacities over the last two decades, including academic and student affairs, equity and inclusion, Title IX, and teaching. Currently, he serves as the Dean of Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Officer, at the University of Puget Sound. 

    Dr. Benitez is co-editor of the anthology, Crash Course: Reflections on the Film “Crash” for Critical Dialogues About Race, Power and Privilege (2007).  His most recent work on supporting faculty of color can be found in AACU’s Liberal Education (2017) ,and his work on creating campus community participatory frameworks for difficult conversations and institutional action, in New Directions in Institutional Research (2017). Benitez has appeared on talk shows such as Worlds Apart, Hard Knock Radio, and Speak out with Tim Wise.

    Part of his success lies in his ability to speak heart-to-heart while bridging theory and scholarly inquiry with everyday life and peoples’ lived realities, his use of accessible language that multiple audiences can relate to, and his deep knowledge and practice of innovate equity and inclusion based strategies and approaches to address some of higher education’s more pressing campus climate issues of today, while providing multi-context and -issue frameworks for empowerment and transformation. 

     

    WORKSHOPS

    Submit your workshop  at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019ILCWORKSHOPS.  DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018

     

    REGISTRATION

    Submit your registration by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019ILCREGISTER.  Deadline to register is Friday, January 25, 2019

  • Black History Month, February 2019

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    2019 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

     

    FEBRUARY 1 – 28

    BLACK HISTORY LITERARY WORKS & RESOURCES

    GSU Library

    Are you seeking historical information regarding Black History makers? GSU Library has a collection of books, DVDs, and eBooks dedicated to Black History. Visit www.govst.edu/library and select the Library Catalog located under Library Resources. Type in Black History Month for your keyword and you will find a listing of items that are currently available in the GSU Library. Visit the library or contact us at library@govst.edu.

     

    BLACK HISTORY DISPLAY

    B Wing Display Case

      

     

    WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27  

    Black History Month Event TBA

    For updates and/or more information visit www.govst.edu/diversity or email diversity@govst.edu 

     

  • SHERO: Women's Leadership Conference, March 29, 2019

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    Governors State University annually coordinates the S.H.E.R.O. Women’s Leadership Symposium (Sharing Her story of Empowerment Resilience & Opportunity) to facilitate students’ professional leadership development.  This year, the program will be hosted on Friday, March 29, 2019.  

    The S.H.E.R.O. (Sharing Her story of Empowerment, Resilience, and Opportunity) Women’s Leadership Symposium inspires women to seek their highest level of personal and professional development through a greater understanding of leadership and the acquisition of new ideas to optimize and sustain personal potential.

    The 2019 S.H.E.R.O. Women’s Leadership Symposium will be held Friday, March 29 at Governors State University. We are currently looking for workshops that pertain to the conference theme “Reclaiming My Time”—a theme that encourages women to use their voices to be heard, celebrate how valuable they really are, and take ownership of their destiny without permission. It is a time of reclamation to celebrate the beauty of their multiple identities that makes them powerful leaders beyond measure.  

    Please submit your proposal by Friday, February 15.  Contact diversity@govst.edu with questions.

     

  • Women's History Month 2019

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    Women’s History Month can trace its roots back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn’t until 1981 that Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. 

     Plans are underway for the 2019 Women's History Month Calendar.  Join us in celebrating the contributions of women by submitting a program for Women’s History Month. Click  here by Friday, February 1, to submit your program. This opportunity is open to university departments, student organizations, and GSU community affiliates.

    Below are events from 2017

     

    2017 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 

     EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS

     WOMENS HISTORY LITERARY WORKS & RESOURCES

    GSU Library

     Are you seeking historical information regarding great women throughout history?  GSU Library has a collection of books, DVD’s and eBooks dedicated to women’s history.   Visit  www.govst.edu/library and select the Library Catalog located under Library Resources.  Type in Womens History Month for your keyword and you will find a listing of items that are currently available in the GSU Library. Visit the library or contact us at  library@govst.edu. 

     

     March 7th

     SAFE ZONE TRAINING

     2 p.m., D34150

    SafeZone is a training program open to faculty and staff ONLY at this time.  The goal of this program is to raise awareness about the dynamics of gender and sexual orientation while exploring different ways to embody inclusive allyship for people of all orientations, genders, sexualities, identities, and levels of being out.  Participants must RSVP at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZWTNGDT by March 3rd. Space is Limited.

     

    March 8th

     INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TABLE

     11am, Hall of Governors

    Come celebrate women of all cultures and diverse backgrounds as well as learn about how women have played a major role in the world. There will be information shared about women and their experiences.  For more information call 708-235-7611.

     

     March 22nd

     SHE SPEAKS

     12:30pm, Lakeside Lounge 

     Inspired by TED Talks, come hear messages of hope and success delivered by GSU women to empower, encourage and enlighten all that attend as they share stories of being a woman in various arenas. For more information call 708-534-4551.

      

     March 30th

     OPEN MIC

     6pm, Cafeteria Annex 

    Come join us as we celebrate women through spoken word, song and other performing arts.  For more information call 708-235-7362.

     

    March 31st

    SHERO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

    9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sherman Hall

    The Shero Women’s Leadership Symposium allows women to share stories and experiences that will empower them, increase resilience, and promote opportunities in their personal and professional development.  Register by Friday, March 24th at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZPXS5VW. For more information call 708.534.4551 or email diversity@govst.edu