Office Programs

Multicultural Lecture Series
An important part of the mission of the Office of Multicultural Affairs is to educate the entire campus community on issues of diversity and multiculturalism. Through various programs during Celebrative months, several noted speakers have visited campus throughout the years such as: Dr. Cornel West, Hele Lee, Farai Chedya, Karen McCarthy Brown, Anita Perez-Ferguson, Arun Gandhi, Nikki Giovanni, Ellen Gallagher, Alvin Pouissant, and many more.

Multicultural Leadership Retreat
An annual leadership retreat for presidents of cultural organizations is held in August before the academic year. The three day event is held off- campus and consists of "getting-to-know-you" activities, program planning, cultural potluck dinner prepared by the student participants, and mini workshops on topics such as "conflict management," "motivating your members," and "doing more with less."

Graduate Recognition Dinner
A dinner coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Affairs is held to honor graduating students of color. The program consists of dinner, a slide show, and presentations.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Vigil and Commemoration Lecture
The Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsors an annual Candlelight Vigil on the third Monday observance in January. The vigil consists of excerpts of one of Dr. King's speeches read by various faculty, administrators, and students. Following a small program, the walk begins with the ringing of the Wren Building bell. The march proceeds to a campus-wide commemoration service.

S.P.A.N. Peer Mentorship Program
The SPAN Mentoring program was designed to encourage students of color to form closer relationships within the William and Mary community. First-year students are paired with trained upperclass students who volunteer to serve as the student's mentor for the academic year. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase retention by alleviating initial isolation, increasing student/faculty interaction, and providing the student with additional encouragement and inspiration to be successful by bridging the gap between college services and support systems. A series of programs and activities are designed to assist students with their adjustment to college life.