Diversity Matters
Welcome! The first minority student enrolled at this college in 1964. Ever since, the college has been making strides to become a place where diversity is celebrated. In 1971, Wofford enrolled its first class of full-time female students. Afterwards, minority enrollment continued to increase. In 2000, the Office of Multicultural Affairs was created in the division of Student Affairs to ensure that all students were educated on issues of diversity and to provide minority students with the support needed to succeed in higher education
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The Office of Multicultural Affairs at Wofford recognizes diversity as essential to a high quality education. The world in which our students will go is increasingly smaller. They will no doubt be exposed to individuals and ideas that are very different from their own. It is the goal of our office to provide students with opportunities to engage difference and learn to appreciate the civil discourse that can occur between individuals willing to share their experiences and beliefs. Regardless of race, class, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or physical disability, students must be able to engage any individual in a knowledgeable and respectful manner.
Our office also realizes the special need that many minority students have upon entering higher education. Many minority students enter as first generation college students, not having the support of family members who can walk them through the challenges of higher education. Some may experience difficulty adjusting to campus culture. Others continue to struggle with identity issues carried over from being a minority in America. As a result, we commit a lot of resources to provide the support that first-year minority students need academically and socially.
Academically, Wofford is committed to providing students with the opportunity to engage difference. The Language department boasts majors or minors in Spanish, French, German, and Chinese while other departments offer concentrations in areas such as African-American Studies, Latin-Caribbean Studies, Gender Studies, and Intercultural Studies. Socially, students have the opportunity to join such groups as AMS (Association of Multicultural Students), SASO (South Asian Student Organization), Voices of Victory Gospel Choir, or Souljah's for Christ. Students may also become involved in Greek life through NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council). Currently, Wofford has charters for Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.
As our office continues to work towards its goals for Wofford and its students, we recognize the important role that families and friends play in positive student development and well-being. If you have any concerns or ideas that you'd like to share, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,Samie Clowney '01clowneys@wofford.edu864.597.4043