At the start of every school year, Wofford hosts an interest fair for all the organizations active on campus to promote their clubs and recruit new members. Along with this event, the first annual Diversity Council Meet and Greet was conducted in the AMS House last year to highlight the multicultural clubs at Wofford.
Students from various different backgrounds, races or orientations often have anxieties about how they will find their role in the community that is to be their home for the next four years and beyond. These diversity clubs can alleviate the dissimilarities students feel while also expanding their connections among peers and mentors.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs was created in 2000, still making it a relatively new administration at Wofford.
Under this office, the Diversity Council organizations include the Association of Multicultural Students, Black Student Alliance, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc., LGBTerriers, Minorities in STEM, Organization of Latin American Students, Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition, Wofford Asian and Pacific Islanders, Wofford Men of Color and Wofford Women of Color.
The Diversity Meet and Greet is the ideal opportunity for all multicultural students to acquaint themselves with the leaders of these organizations and find a potential club to join. Many of the leaders share the same principle of inclusivity.
“We need all sorts of thoughts, opinions, and perspectives and those primarily come from people who are different,” emphasizes Kleo Young ‘25, co-president of the Association of Multicultural Students. “”As an academic institution, everyone from different backgrounds should be at the table.”
These student organizations include more than just meetings; they are constantly growing into solid communities by members and allies who promote inclusivity and celebrate differences. These clubs help Wofford embrace multiculturalism by fostering a space of respect and inclusion.
The Wofford Asian and Pacific Islander Club organizes events, like Holi and Korean cooking nights.
“It is nice to know you have a group of people to rely on and have more to relate your experiences with,” says Alice Chen ‘26, president of WAAPI.
Earth Patel ‘25, social media chair of OLAS and secretary for Minorities in STEM has seen benefits from his involvement in campus multicultural groups.
“Diversity can help you grow and help to make connections so you don’t feel alone. Having people who look similar to you can motivate you to go out and do better,” says Patel.
There is a general consensus among the organizations that having diversity on campus promises progress within the institute as a whole. A lot of time is spent creating events that spread awareness about the numerous diverse communities on campus and opportunities to support the people within them.
To anyone looking for a place of familiarity and friendship, these multicultural clubs are the place to go. The best way to get involved is to come out and venture to create these connections and to help these organizations become bigger and better.
