The Intercultural Center (IC) is the greatest resource for the Roger Williams University community in regards to international students, students of color, spiritual life and LBGT. Other facets of the IC include the Bridge To Success program and the popular Intercultural Center.
Our Mission
The Intercultural Center (IC) provides the Roger Williams University community with opportunitues and an environment that encourage relationship and community building. It provides forums that enhance the personal exploration and development of its community members regarding personal identity, academic excellence and exemplary citizenship. The IC challenges community members to be life-long learners and active members of our global society
Who We Are
Intercultural Center In Maple
The Intercultural Center serves as a hub of operations for the IC. Containing a kitchen, lounge, classroom, computer resources and professional staff, the Center is utilized by members of our community as a place to host informal socials, educational programs and cultural events, as well as group meetings. The Center is accessible by all members of the University community and is open 101 hours per week. We encourage all members of the RWU community to take advantage of our resources and desires to raise the level of discourse around issues of diversity, racism and societal pluralism.
International Student Services
International Student Services works in concert with Student Affairs, Enrollment Management & Retention and academic departments on-campus to support the successful matriculation and graduation of undergraduate and graduate international students. From immigration assistance to interpersonal help, the IC works to inform international students of their responsibilities as well as expose them to cultural opportunities both on- and off-campus. In addition, programs are designed to foster a higher level of interest and understanding on-campus of various cultures and backgrounds.
Intercultural Student Services
In a growing society, university campuses have an opportunity to serve as a global learning laboratory. With this premise in mind, the IC reaches out to traditionally underrepresented students to assist them in their transition to the RWU community as well as encourage them to take advantage of available opportunities. Through traditional programming (Latino Heritage Month, Black History Month, etc.) and personal intervention, the IC works to create an environment that responds to the needs of students while promoting academic and personal development. The IC also works to support campus mechanisms that proactively seek to critically examine issues of personal identity, diversity and inclusion.
Spirtual Life Program
As the University diversifies and grows, the Spiritual Life Program acts a device that connects our community on another level. The University has formed relationships with Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Islamic chaplains. This group has worked to provide individual, as well as programmatic support to RWU community members of all religions. Through an interfaith model, the Roger Williams University Chaplains work with faculty, students and staff to design programs responsive to community needs. In addition to on-campus support, many local churches, synagogues and mosques have warmly embraced attendants from our University.
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual & Transgendered (LGBT) Community Support
The IC is the direct resource area for all allies of the LGBT community. As a partner in RWU’s examination of our global society, our office works to raise issues related to the LGBT community. The office serves as a practical resource and support for the Sexual Advocacy for Everyone (SAFE) student club. We also work to support individual LGBT students, faculty and staff through recognition, programming and referral.
Bridge To Success
Established in 1992, the Bridge To Success Program is a foundation-University partnership that works to mentor and tutor underrepresented and underserved high school and middle school students. The essential goal of the program is to provide the practical and emotional tools necessary to support the aspirations of these students to attend a college or university. Partnering with the Newport, RI school system, the MLK Community Center (Newport, RI), The Met School (Providence and Newport), Mt. Pleasant High School (Providence) and Times2 Academy (Providence, RI), RWU students serve as mentors in an after-school program, as well as on weekend social/educational trips and an overnight academic Summer Institute sponsored by the Bank of America and Rhode Island Children’s Crusade.