WCTC’s Multicultural Resource Center offers online programming throughout fall

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PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020) – With the start of fall term 2 just around the corner, WCTC’s Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) is committed to making sure students, staff, faculty and the community have access to meaningful programming -- even during a time when special events are not permitted on campus due to the pandemic.

Throughout the fall, the MRC is offering a variety of opportunities for intellectual engagement, self-motivation, citizenship and cultural engagement, all of which promote critical thinking, problem-solving and communication.

Thanks to technology, participants are able to enjoy MRC speakers and other special events online, said Rolando DeLeon, diversity coordinator.

“Students and staff need to feel connected to their campus. During these new, unexpected times, it is even more critical for us to create a welcoming and connected environment for all, so they have some normalcy,” he said. “Zoom has allowed us to stay connected while supporting our students and staff with diverse programming and support services.”

Special events through fall include (all in Zoom format):

• Oct. 22, 12 p.m. -- LGBT History Month, featuring speaker Zach Wahls

 Wahls is an Iowa state senator, LGBTQ+ activist and author. He is the son of a same-sex couple and helped  shaped the national dialogue surrounding same-sex marriage. In 2011, he addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee about a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in his state, and it became the most-watched political video of the year.

• Oct. 27, 12 p.m. -- LGBT+ 101 and Ally Development Virtual Professional Development

This program provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals at the College. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to become allies by attending this training.

• Nov. 11, 12 p.m. – Native American Heritage Month, featuring presenter James Jones

Jones is a traditional hoop artist who has performed and traveled across Europe, China, Australia and North America, and he is ranked among the Top 5 hoop dancers in the world. Hoop dancing is an indigenous healing dance, often performed at powwows, where each hoop represents honoring the circle of life.

• Dec. 3, 12 p.m. – Human Rights presentation, featuring speaker Arjun Singh Sethi

Sethi is a community activist, civil rights lawyer and writer based in Washington D.C. He works closely with Muslim, Arab, South Asian and Sikh communities and is an expert in policing, the war on terror, and racial and religious programming.

In addition to these events, the MRC is also keeping students connected through special DuTalk Conversations, inspired by the DuTalk card came. These are intended to teach all members of the WCTC community to engage in civil discourse and to value dialogue over debate. These are scheduled for Fridays throughout fall.

Special presentations are open to students, faculty, staff and the community. For more information on how to access these events, contact the MRC at mrc@wctc.edu or 262.691.5359.