The Office of Intercultural Development opened the doors to its new location in Bennett Campus Center on Thursday. The open house was an opportunity for students to come in and ask questions about the office and the various services it offers.
The Office of Intercultural Development offers students of all backgrounds the opportunity to connect with a strong community.
The office administrators said they seek to create a space on campus where students can engage with different cultures and share their heritage. Additionally, the office is seeking to spread their mission by encouraging students across campus to get involved.
“We’re just on a campus that has so many different backgrounds, so many different people and so many different perspectives that just need to be talked about,” OID Dean Prentice Ashford said.
Ashford said he wants to encourage students to just come to the office to meet people and consider getting involved with the Office of Intercultural Development.
“If you see anything OID, just go to it,” Ashford said. “Anything you see — anyone is welcome to it”.
At the open house, a poster stood against a wall where students could sign their name to represent that “It is ok to acknowledge who you are and where you are in your journey.”
“I’ve made a lot of friends here,” Hossana Haileleul said, noting that as soon as she walked, it was like everyone was friends instantly. “The staff is really cool. There is no lack of benefit.”