Welcome Back from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

January 10, 2024

Welcome Back from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Happy New Year Dragons!

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is here for you! Our office is at Comstock Memorial Union (CMU) 120 in the northwest corner of the building on the main floor.

We encourage you to stop by to say hi, talk, and/or set up a meeting with one of our staff members to learn about opportunities available through the ODI.

The ODI offers four cultural and identity centers, advising, resources, programming, scholarships, campus jobs, diverse student organizations, leadership opportunities, and more. Our student centers include the George Soule American Indian Center (CMU 115), Intercultural Center (CMU 121), Rainbow Dragon Center (Bridges 150), and the Women’s Center (Bridges 154). They are typically open from 8 AM – 8 PM, Monday through Friday. Each center provides unique resources and connections, so be sure to check them out soon to see what may be of interest.

This weekend and next week we will be celebrating the life and accomplishments of Reverent Martin Luther King Jr. with these upcoming events:

MLK Day Kickoff Event
Friday, January 12 | 7 p.m. | Centrum, Knutson Campus Center | Concordia College

Join us at Concordia College’s MLK Day kickoff event featuring Los Angeles-based comedian, actor, and writer Chinedu Unaka (pronunciation: Chin-eh-doo Oo-nah-kahs). The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will provide transportation with limited seating. RSVP on Dragon Central.

MLK Day “Communities in Action, Empowering the Dream”
Monday, January 15 | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Locations Vary | Concordia College

A variety of sessions will be free and open to the public, including a keynote by Funmilola Fagbamila and an opportunity for reflection and interactive connection. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will provide transportation with limited seating. RSVP on Dragon Central.

MLK Day Celebration – Umoja 55
Monday, January 15 | 6 to 8:30 p.m. | Fargo Theater

Umoja 55: Dreamers Unite showcases the power of dreams, unity, and hope, particularly among the youth, as they present their artistic interpretations of MLK’s vision. The keynote speaker will be MSUM’s Zinnia Marquette, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will provide transportation with limited seating. RSVP on Dragon Central.

Narrative 4 Exchange: Communities of Care
Tuesday, January 16 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Comstock Memorial Union 105

A Narrative 4 story exchange will invite students to participate in storytelling designed to teach compassion and empathy and develop strong leaders in the classroom and community.

Service Project Opportunity
Winter Gear Drive

Items Requested:

Condition:

For questions, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@mnstate.edu or 218-477-2652.

DiversiTea
Friday, January 19 | 4 p.m. | CMU 205

Enter a space of diverse individuals and perspectives to reflect on the sense of community in our region. Reflect on what we saw, what we learned, and how we can continue to strengthen our community.

We also have many annual events that happen every Spring:

On March 23rd Concordia College will be hosting Rainbow Prom at the Centrum. Rainbow Prom is a celebration where LGBTQ+ folks and allies dance the night away and be their authentic selves.

MSTATE is hosting Lavender Graduation on April 18th to celebrate LGBTQIA2S+ graduates from colleges in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and all are welcome to attend, including family, friends, faculty, and staff. Eligible students who graduated in Fall 2023 or are graduating in Spring 2024 and want to participate or have questions can contact Erienne Fawcett at erienne.fawcett@mnstate.edu.

On May 4th, NDSU will be hosting the 33rd Annual Woodlands & High Plains Powwow. This traditional powwow in the Fargo-Moorhead area is a popular cultural event, attracting over 2,000 spectators and 150 dancers, offering the community an opportunity to celebrate American Indian tradition and culture through various dance styles, drum songs, and vendor displays.

To finish the semester, the Farewell & Sash Ceremony will be on May 9th. Graduating International students will receive a sash to represent their country of citizenship, Multicultural graduating students will receive an affinity sash, and exchange students will receive a certificate of appreciation. Students often wear their graduation sash during commencement and keep it for their memories. Graduating students should please fill out this form if they would like to attend.

Please follow us on DragonCentral to learn more about our upcoming events!

We hope you will stop by the office so we can meet you and work together throughout your educational journey.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Jody Steile (she/her/hers), American Indian & Student Success Coordinator

CMU 120F
(218) 477-4272 / steilejo@mnstate.edu

Click here to schedule an appointment

Zinnia Marquette (she/her/hers), Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator

CMU 120 D

(218) 477-2476 / zinnia.marquette@mnstate.edu

Click here to schedule an appointment

Erienne Fawcett (she/her/hers), Gender and Sexuality Coordinator