The Cesar Chavez Multicultural Center is a special place on the Lansing Community College campus. It is a space to engage students in dialogue and activities that nurture cross-cultural interaction through cultural enrichment and mentorship programs that meet the needs of our times and celebrate diverse backgrounds. Though, our presence today is rooted in a struggle for college students to hold institutions of higher education accountable to ensuring various racial/ethnic populations felt a sense of belonging on campus.

A look at the past ...

The establishment of multicultural centers on college campuses was prompted with the origin of Black cultural centers in the 1960s and 1970s. In response to student activism and demands for more inclusive environments, Black cultural centers were established as part of a broader movement by Black students to create spaces that validated their identities, cultures, and experiences on predominantly white campuses. Black cultural centers played a crucial role in helping Black students acclimate to college life, gain confidence, develop leadership skills, and establish a sense of community and cultural awareness. As such, Black cultural centers served as the impetus for the establishment of multicultural centers representing various racial/ethnic populations over the last 40 years ¹.

The Cesar Chavez Multicultural Center (CCMC) joins in the rich history and significance of these centers, continuing to cultivate community, cultural identity, and promote a sense of belonging across campus.

CCMC Initiatives

The CCMC is part of the LCC Office of Empowerment, located in the Arts & Sciences building, suite 1313. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment that fosters the exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives for all LCC students.

Cultural Enrichment programs aim to improve retention and transition for students from underrepresented populations. Programming focuses on diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, (dis)abilities and students living in transition housing.

Mentorship programs aim to support retention and degree completion among students of color, first-generation students, students from low-income families, and otherwise historically underrepresented students. Our three cohort-based mentorship programs include: Men About Progress (MAP), Latinos Unidos Con Energia, Respeto, y Orgullo (LUCERO), and Women Inspiring Scholarship through Empowerment (WISE).

How do students get involved?

The Cesar Chavez Multicultural Center is open to all LCC students. Learn more about our programs on our website, stop by to meet our staff, and look out for the spring 2025 events calendar!

References

¹ Patton, L. D. (Ed.). (2010). Culture centers in higher education: Perspectives on identity, theory, and practice. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.