Editor’s note: The Utah Board of Higher Education approved the creation of the Center for Community and Cultural Engagement on Nov. 21, 2024. Read more about the approval here.
Looking for your community on campus? University of Utah leaders are working to establish a new center to help.
The proposed Center for Community and Cultural Engagement, or CCE, is the result of the University of Utah’s efforts to reimagine cultural activities in the wake of H.B. 261. Pending approval by the Utah Board of Higher Education later this year, the new center will complement the work of the Center for Student Access and Resources, CSAR.
CCE Director LeiLoni Allan-McLaughlin imagines a space for robust and engaging cultural education programs and events. “We will create a space where the U community can come and connect—both on and off campus,” she said.
Prior to her role with CCE, Allan-McLaughlin was associate director of the U’s LGBT Resource Center. While there are differences between the new center and the ones that closed, Allan-McLaughlin said she and her staff have a solid vision for CCE.
“There was a strong community built at the LGBT Resource Center,” Allan-McLaughlin said. “Moving forward, I want to create that kind of community in other spaces and expand it across campus.”
CCE aims to provide all students with opportunities to engage in multicultural learning. By offering educational opportunities and celebrating unique heritages, experiences and historical contributions, the center creates pathways for students to explore community and culture.
To honor these diverse backgrounds and foster mutual respect, the center will support campus-wide cultural heritage month events. These include Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Women’s Week and Pride Week. Throughout the year, CCE will host a range of cultural education events such as speaker sessions, panel discussions, workshops and service projects. There will also be a CCE lounge open to all students seeking a welcoming space to connect and engage with one another.
Unlike the centers it replaced, CCE will not house student resources. Instead, center staff will help students connect with other departments of offices that provide resources, both on and off campus. CSAR student resource navigators are another avenue students can use to access support.
“Collaborating with our off-campus community partners is going to be key to ensuring that students have all the resources they need,” Allan-McLaughlin said.
In addition to Allan-McLaughlin, students will recognize many familiar faces at the new center, including staff from the former Women’s Resource Center, Center for Equity and Student Belonging and American Indian Resource Center. Allan-McLaughlin encourages students to attend the center’s events and said her staff is looking forward to serving all U students.
An advisory board of students, faculty and staff is being created for the new center and applications are now open.
“This board will increase our community engagement and allow more people to be part of shaping the vision for our new center,” Allan-McLaughlin said.
Learn more about the center here.
Apply to join the advisory board here.