Programs and Services

Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Services at Franklin College

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion offers a wide variety of programs and services for the Franklin College campus. 

 

THRIVE

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion partners with the Center for Student Success and additional campus partners to provide THRIVE, an Orientation for Students of Color to first and second year Franklin College students. THRIVE was designed to build a strong sense of community and belonging, giving students of color an opportunity to develop peer networks, engage in conversation with student leaders and key administrators and learn about available resources on the Franklin College campus.

Diversity Advocates

Diversity Advocates are undergraduate student peer educators committed to promoting diversity and social justice, increasing awareness and knowledge of diversity-related issues, creating dialogue that explores the definition and perception of diversity and working to strengthen the Franklin College community. Diversity Advocates conduct educational workshops and lead discussions. They believe in breaking barriers, exposing stereotypes and extending the awareness of our differences in order to see our similarities.

B.O.S.S. (Building Opportunities through Support and Structure) Mentoring Program

The B.O.S.S. Mentoring Program serves as an additional level of support for Franklin College students. The program connects students with successful professional mentors who they may not have otherwise encountered.

 

  • Alexis Cheatham

    Being a part of the CDI has had a huge impact on my college career. I am involved in the B.O.S.S. Mentoring program and Sister to Sister. They have taught me the importance of diversity and understanding people’s differences, as well as inclusivity. I have grown as a person because of how much the CDI has pushed me since my freshman year to become a better leader and open-minded individual. - Alexis Cheatham '21

 

Get involved

Meet new people on campus and make a difference in our campus organizations promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Franklin College Pride Alliance (FCPA)
  • President: Joshua Hansel
  • Adviser: Katie Burpo

Franklin College Pride Alliance is an organization promoting a more accepting environment for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus through education on a variety of LGBTQIA+ topics. Our signature events are our holiday party and drag show. We meet every other Wednesday in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

 

Facebook icon     Twitter icon     Instagram icon

Black Student Union (BSU)
  • President: Maya McCloud
  • Adviser: Maegan Pollonais

BSU is an organization that acts as an extended support system to our members while educating campus on Black culture, beliefs and lifestyles. Our signature event is the Fashion Show. We meet every other Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

 

Twitter icon     Instagram icon

Latinx Student Association

The Latinx Student Association organization advocates the involvement and recognition of the Latinx community at Franklin College and serves as an active voice on campus to promote cultural diversity.

Campus Events

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts events covering a wide array of diversity, inclusion and social justice topics. Our past events have included:

  • Akwaaba (Welcome Back Dinner) with BSU
  • Themed Community Open Houses
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
  • Student Association for the Support of Minorities (SASOM) Panel Discussion
  • Homecoming Tailgate
  • DONUT Be Afraid to Stand Out with FCPA
  • Culture and Canvas: Día de los Muertos
  • Courageous Conversation Dinner
  • Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • Trivia Night
  • End of Semester Final Get Together

Workshops and Training

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides training throughout the school year on different dimensions of diversity. This includes Safe Zone training.

Facilities Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Multicultural Lounge

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion and multicultural lounge are located on the second floor of the Napolitan Student Center. The multicultural lounge includes a full kitchen, furniture and a computer station. Students visiting these spaces will be exposed to an environment encouraging their participation in academic and co-curricular experiences that emphasize diversity, multiculturalism, social responsibility, self-awareness, cross-cultural dialogue and community. The spaces are open for everyone.

Arthur Wilson Black Experience House Living/Learning Community

Arthur Wilson House, located within Maple House, is a living/learning community that houses a group of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who connect around the experience of being racially Black. It aims to make meaningful connections with peers and Black individuals, provide networking opportunities in the Franklin community, participate in community collaborations through service projects and events that empower Black People and engage with the campus community for institutional change.

B.O.L.D. (Building Our Leaders Through Diversity) Living/Learning Community

The Building Our Leaders through Diversity (B.O.L.D.) living/learning community, located in Johnson-Dietz Hall, aims to promote an understanding and respect for multiculturalism and diversity and to provide intellectual, social, and cultural programs focused on multicultural enrichment. The B.O.L.D. community is an additional support system helping underrepresented students and their allies to develop a sense of belonging, in addition to effective leadership and communication skills.

Additional Campus Resources

What's the DiversiTEA

In September 2021, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion started an internal newsletter for Franklin College called “What’s the DiversiTEA.” Each month we highlight members of the Franklin College community, inform readers of upcoming CDI events and holidays, highlight DEI in the news and so much more.

Mentoring and Support

Do you just need someone to talk to? The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is here to listen. We provide support to the following groups:

  • Students: We want you to have a great experience here at Franklin College and will do all that we can to help ensure your success.
  • Faculty and staff: We can assist with the diverse programming you sponsor
  • Multicultural Organizations: We are available to offer assistance and/or training to advisers of campus multicultural organizations as well as to the organizations themselves on topics related to diversity and multiculturalism.
Resource Library

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion has a small but growing resource library available for checkout by Franklin College students, faculty, and staff.

Let’s Talk

For more information on CDI programs and services, please email diversity@FranklinCollege.edu.