MCC’s multicultural affairs office serves diverse students
By: Sean King
The multicultural affairs office serves, but is not limited to, under-represented, culturally-diverse students at MCC.
All students can go into the office and seek advisement, scholarship and grant information, and help with applying for financial aid.
Also available in the office is a computer lab with up to 10 pages of free printing access.
Amin Aguilar, a part-time student majoring in Respiratory Therapy, had only good things to say about the multicultural office and staff. Aguilar has been going in for two years now for advisement. He said that without the help he has received, he wouldn’t be nearly as organized as he is today and may not have accomplished as much, either.
“They are very helpful,” said Aguilar, commenting on the advisers. Aguilar enjoys the one-on-one meetings available. He said, “it’s more personal that way,” and, “You can build a relationship (with the advisers).”
Joshua Forsgren was in for his first meeting on Oct. 30. Forsgren is majoring in dance and anyone who knows him, knows he can be found dancing at any time, in any place.
He is hoping to receive a grant for the spring semester and is taking full advantage of the advisement available in the office.
“Not a lot of students know about us, or what we do,” said Luis Ellis Jr., a program adviser. Ellis has been an adviser for multicultural affairs for two years now and enjoys helping the students here at MCC.
Ellis is one of three academic advisers available for students to utilize for a successful college experience. Ellis believes that students see the program as an enigma, and as a result it is underutilized by students.
Students don’t have to be of a specific culture to receive help from the office either. “We serve the unrepresented students, as well as all students,” said Ellis, commenting on diversity of students eligible for assistance.
Students of all ethnic backgrounds and races can go in and seek counsel with any of the advisers, Ellis said. Student diversity is a big part of multicultural affairs, so much so that each semester 50 students go on a trip centered on diversity education.
Last fall, the students went to Diversity Camp in Prescott. In the spring, the students visited Tucson as well as San Diego and Los Angeles. On these trips, students learn about different ethic heritages such as Hispanic, Native American, and African-American cultures.
Students can apply for these trips and seek academic advisement in the multicultural room, located in the KSC 35 building.
The hours of operation are between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday. The office is closed on the weekends.
