Intercultural Affairs (ICA) works with all members of the University to provide a
campus environment where students from different backgrounds and culture groups feel
appreciated, respected and valued. Through educational, social, and leadership programs,
ICA promotes inclusive values of social justice and human dignity while preparing
students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
Our goal is to engage the WCU community, foster the exchange of ideas between students,
faculty and staff, and enlighten our campus community. Stop by our office to get acquainted
with our amazing staff and to get involved in programming activities.
We're here to support students like you during your time here at Western Carolina
University.
Whether you're looking for a place to spend some down time between classes or a way
to meet new friends, our events and programs throughout the year offer a variety of
opportunities to enrich your college experience.
Cultural Immersion Excursion
This annual experience is designed to expose students to persons or groups markedly
different in culture (ethnicity, language, and socioeconomic status) from that of themselves and create awareness for the world around them.
Our Fall 2018 Excursion was: American Heritage Tour: The Counter-Narrative. 46 Students
traveled to Virginia, Washington DC and New York City!
Fall 2019 Trip - Dinner and a Show
On Saturday, October 12th, 2019 50 students traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the
Cirque du Soleil bigtop show - Volta! The bus stopped on the way down at the Mall
of Georgia for lunch and a little shopping. After the show students enjoyed a little
more shopping in Atlantic Station before dinner at The Pig and the Pearl.
Drag Show/wcu pride week
WCU Pride Week 2019 is Monday, September 23rd through Friday, September 27th! There
are events every day of the week to show your pride, culminating with the Drag Show
on Friday night in the Ramsey Center.
PRIDE WEEK LIST OF EVENTS:
MONDAY 9/23 - PRIDE Health Fair, 12-2, UC Illusions
LGBTQ+ Student Panel, 7-8:30, UC Grandroom
TUESDAY 9/24 - Comedian: Sampson McCormick, 8-9 p.m., UC Illusions
WEDNESDAY 9/25 - S.E.X. in ICA, 7pm, ICA Lounge
THURSDAY 9/26 - Film: Moonlight (discussion following), 7-10 p.m., UC Theater
FRIDAY 9/27 - Drag Show Featuring Miz Cracker, 8-10 p.m., Ramsey Center
Hats off to Women
A biennial networking luncheon where young women can connect with experienced female
leaders on campus and in the community to receive advice, words of wisdom and motivation
to aid in their own academic and career journeys. The next Hats Off To Women will
be March 24th, 2020.
ICA Graduation Celebration
The Department of Intercultural Affairs developed this graduation celebration as a
way to honor students from underrepresented populations and their contributions to
the Western Carolina University community. We wish to provide them with a tangible
symbol to wear during WCU's graduation and keep with them after graduation as a reminder
of their time at WCU and the support that they have available for their future endeavors.
Any student who wishes to celebrate their graduation with ICA is welcomed to participate.
Intercultural Fusion
A high energy platform for diverse student organizations to present themselves to
the community in creative and innovative ways.
Join us the first week or so of the fall semester to learn about the Department of
Intercultural Affairs. You'll have a chance to meet our staff, interact with students
from NPHC organizations and Registered Student Organizations (RSO's). Plus, there's
free food! Don't miss out.
Intercultural Fusion 2019
Come out to the Catafount on Thursday, August 29th, 2019 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for live
music, free food and giveaways!
J'ouvert
Nothing says "welcome back to WCU" like a Caribbean festival. Join ICA every other
year for an evening full of music, food, and traditional J'ouvert activities. And
of course, you won't want to miss snagging your free t-shirt! The next J'ouvert will
be Fall 2020.
Munchie mondays readers digest
Join ICA staff in the ICA Lounge on Mondays to munch on some lunch and digest the
One Book, We Need To Talk; How to Have Conversations That Matter. Free lunch from South of Philly will be provided. For more information contact the
Department of Intercultural Affairs at 828.227.2276 or ica@wcu.edu. Faculty can register their class to attend HERE
8/26 - Ch 1: CONVERSATION IS A SURVIVAL SKILL
9/9 - Ch 2: COMMMUNICATION AND CONVERSATION ARE NOT THE SAME and Ch 3: YOU CAN’T
OUTSMART A BAD CONVERSATION
9/16 - Ch 4: SET THE STAGE
9/23 - Ch 5: SOME CONVERSATIONS ARE HARDER THAN OTHERS
9/30 - Ch 6: BE THERE OR GO ELSEWHERE
10/7 - Ch 7: IT’S NOT THE SAME!
Ch 8: GET OFF THE SOAPBOX
10/21 - Ch 9: KEEP IT SHORT and Ch 10: NO REPEATS
10/28 - Ch 11: THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION and Ch 12: YOU CAN’T KNOW EVERYTHING
11/4 - Ch 13: STAY OUT OF THE WEEDS and Ch 14: TRAVEL TOGETHER
11/25 - Ch 15: LISTEN! and Ch 16: SOMETIMES WE SHOULDN’T TALK
MLK Jr. Commemoration Events
poverty simulation
Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you've experienced
poverty, it's difficult to truly understand. The Poverty Simulation bridges that gap
from misconception to understanding. This simulation is an interactive immersion experience.
It sensitizes community participants to the realities of poverty.
These events will be DegreePlus and will be worth R&R credit.
Project Care
Project CARE aims to improve academic performance and the retention of underrepresented students
at Western Carolina University. In an effort to apply theory to practice, Intercultural
Affairs has designed this program as a proactive measure to address the academic challenges
underrepresented students face at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs). This program
pairs first year and transfer student participants with student leaders who serve
as peer counselors who help them to adjust to college life academically, culturally,
and socially.
The Project C.A.R.E. program is FULL for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Red zone
Western Carolina University is committed to the safety and security of our campus
community. Through the Red Zone education campaign we educate students to bring awareness
to and to prevent sexual misconduct and violence.
The 'Red Zone' is commonly known as the period of time for college students during
which they are at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence, coercion, and/or manipulation.
The 'Red Zone' is typically defined as the first six weeks of the semester but we
will host Red Zone activities and programs throughout the year to foster an informed
student body.
For more information and to view the Fall 2019 Red Zone Week Schedule click HERE
Safe zone
The Safe Zone program provides training to all students, faculty, staff, and community members
who are interested in increasing awareness of and sensitivity to issues of gender
and sexuality. In order to receive Safe Zone certification, individuals must attend
both a Part I and a Part II training.
REGISTER HERE
learn more
Tunnel of Oppression
An interactive program that allows students, faculty and staff to have an experience
with oppression, discrimination, and injustice to heighten awareness and encourage
a personal commitment to ending oppression in all forms. The program usually takes
about 50 minutes and includes a facilitated group discussion led by CAPS trained volunteers.
Fall 2019 Dates:
Wednesday, November 13th
Thursday, November 14th
9:00am - 11:20am and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Blue Ridge Conference Center
For more information go to DSA.WCU.EDU/TUNNEL
Western Carolina University has over 170 registered student organizations many of which
support students from a variety of cultures and diverse backgrounds.
Whether you're looking for an organization that supports LGBTQIA+ identified students
and allies, or a group which promotes the cultural and educational benefits for the
African American student body, or Hispanic and LatinX culture, or Native American
culture, there is a group on campus for you.
The Department of Intercultural Affairs is available to give Diversity Presentations
to classes, student groups, departments, and other groups on campus. The purpose of
these presentations is to cultivate a campus community that is accepting, knowledgeable
and sensitive in diversity issues.
munchie mondays readers digest
Faculty are encouraged to bring their class to join ICA staff in the ICA Lounge on
a Monday to munch on some lunch and digest the One Book, We Need To Talk; How to Have Conversations That Matter. Free lunch from South of Philly will be provided. Registration Required. For more information contact the Department of Intercultural Affairs at 828.227.2276
or ica@wcu.edu. Faculty can register their class to attend HERE
8/26 - Ch 1: CONVERSATION IS A SURVIVAL SKILL
9/9 - Ch 2: COMMMUNICATION AND CONVERSATION ARE NOT THE SAME and Ch 3: YOU CAN’T
OUTSMART A BAD CONVERSATION
9/16 - Ch 4: SET THE STAGE
9/23 - Ch 5: SOME CONVERSATIONS ARE HARDER THAN OTHERS
9/30 - Ch 6: BE THERE OR GO ELSEWHERE
10/7 - Ch 7: IT’S NOT THE SAME!
Ch 8: GET OFF THE SOAPBOX
10/21 - Ch 9: KEEP IT SHORT and Ch 10: NO REPEATS
10/28 - Ch 11: THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION and Ch 12: YOU CAN’T KNOW EVERYTHING
11/4 - Ch 13: STAY OUT OF THE WEEDS and Ch 14: TRAVEL TOGETHER
11/25 - Ch 15: LISTEN! and Ch 16: SOMETIMES WE SHOULDN’T TALK
Tunnel of Oppression
An interactive program that allows students, faculty and staff to have an experience
with oppression, discrimination, and injustice to heighten awareness and encourage
a personal commitment to ending oppression in all forms. The program usually takes
about 50 minutes and includes a facilitated group discussion led by CAPS trained volunteers.
Faculty are encouraged to bring their classes. If you are a faculty member and would
like to register your class to attend, please email ica@wcu.edu.
Fall 2019 Dates:
Wednesday, November 13th
Thursday, November 14th
9:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Blue Ridge Conference Center
The Department Intercultural Affairs' Fall 2019 Tunnel of Oppression theme is The Labels We Wear: Microaggressions. Rooms will explore Mental Health, Voting/Political Climate, Mass Shootings, Access
to Health Care and Body Image. Registration for individuals is recommended but not
required.
For more information go to DSA.WCU.EDU/TUNNEL
SAFE ZONE TRAINING
The Safe Zone program provides training to all faculty and staff members who are interested
in increasing awareness of and sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality. In order
to receive Safe Zone certification, individuals must attend both a Part I and a Part
II training.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
RAINBOW 101
Rainbow 101 Faculty/ Staff is a workshop designed for faculty & staff to better understand
inclusive practices & how to be more supportive of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the classroom
& community. Topics covered include basic terminology and concepts and examples of
microaggressions against LGBTQIA+ people. For more information or to request a training
contact Dean Paulk at dspaulk@wcu.edu.
