Engage. Exchange. Enlighten.
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.
ICA BRANCHES
The ICA Advisory Board is a standing committee composed of faculty, staff and graduate
students. They meet several times during the academic year to provide guidance, support
and feedback for ICA with the goal of enhancing the programs and services provided by
Intercultural Affairs
ICA Council serves as the student lead branch of the department. The council hosts
various events and programs throughout the academic year to foster diversity and inclusion
within the student body. They also help plan many of the large-scale events that the
department is responsible for. Learn more and meet the Council.
Students
Student Organizations
Faculty & Staff
Students
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.
Explore all our programs below and we hope to see you on campus!
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 is a week long series of campus wide events, programs and workshops
to bring awareness, education and support of our LGBTQ+ community, culminating with
a Drag Show on Friday night!
Fall 2019 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 March 24th, 2020 Hats Off to Women was postponed and will be rescheduled for the
Spring 2021 semester.
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.
Update for Spring 2020
Due to COVID-19, and the inability to have a face to face celebration during the Spring
2020 semester, the ICA staff created a virtual Graduation Celebration! ICA pins and
printed programs were sent in the mail to all the students who wanted to participate
in the celebration.
On top of that, videos of the Cherokee Land Acknowledgment and Prayer, Staff Congratulations and Sand Pouring Ceremony, and the celebration's video backdrop of all participants were also created and posted on the WCU YouTube page. We also
created a virtual Graduation Celebration Program to share with friends and family so they can enjoy the graduates' pictures and bios.
Enjoy each aspect of the virtual ICA Graduation Celebration Spring 2020
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).
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.
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.
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, such as Take Back
the Night, to foster an informed student body
more information
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
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.
For more information go to DSA.WCU.EDU/TUNNEL
Student Organizations
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.
Explore the organizations below through WCU Engage, an interactive platform for our student organizations to feature their groups and
events.
Faculty and Staff
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.
Request a Diversity Presentation
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.
The Department Intercultural Affairs' Fall 2019 Tunnel of Oppression theme was The Labels We Wear: Microaggressions. Rooms explored Mental Health, Voting/Political Climate, Mass Shootings, Access to
Health Care and Body Image. 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.
