Diversity & Inclusion Events

2021 Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Calendar

2021 LGBTQIA+ History Month Calendar

 Signature Programs 

   Inclusive Conversations

Inclusive Conversations is a bi-weekly dialogue series designed to create consistent opportunities for students, faculty, staff and administrators to discuss current topics in equity, diversity, and inclusion which are relevant to the health of the University community.

Sustained Dialogue

Sustained Dialogue is a program that allows students to explore race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual identity, religion, age, ability status and other topics that can be difficult to dialogue about in groups. This 10-week program seeks to transform students for the better through dialogues where they can share not just their own feelings and experiences, but also hear stories and life experiences behind others’ perspectives. We have created a learning space for open dialogue that makes it possible for students with differing perspectives on issues to learn the root causes of community problems and build relationships to address these issues with new allies. Student participants are divided into groups of 10-12 students and meet on a weekly basis to create a safe space for dialogue of stories and experiences.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

In collaboration with partners on campus and in the community, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion hosts a luncheon in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Highlights of the luncheon include the awarding of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr awards, including an SIUE student scholarship.

First Generation Programming

In collaboration with our colleagues at SOAR, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion offers programming in support of students who are “first in their family” to pursue higher education. 

 History and Heritage Months

Black Heritage Month (February)
In collaboration with the Kimmel Center for Student Involvement and various academic departments, the CSDI offers programming that acknowledge and honor the contributions made by African Americans in the United States and abroad. 

Women's History Month (March)
CSDI offers programming that acknowledges and honors the contributions made by women in the United States and abroad. The programming also aims to inspire and encourage all individuals that identify as a woman to strive for academic and cultural excellence at SIUE.

Diversity Month (April)
The month of April is dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the diversity that makes our world beautiful. These events serve as a reflection of the similarities and differences that challenge us to appreciate the value of other cultures and the impact it has on our society.

Arab American Heritage Month (April)

CSDI will offer programming to acknowledge and honor contributions made by individuals of Arab descent in the United States and abroad. Events will include lectures, celebrations, and performances. Some programming will highlight the struggles and issues Arab and Arab Americans continue to face in society.

Jewish American Heritage Month (May)

In collaboration with campus partners, CSDI offers programming to acknowledge and honor the history and contributions of Jewish people in the United States and abroad. Programming has included lectures, celebrations, and commemorations.

Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American Heritage Month (May)

CSDI offers programming to acknowledge and honor the history and contributions of people of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi descent in the United States and abroad. Programming has included lectures, celebrations, and dialogues.

Latin@/x Heritage Month (September-October)

In collaboration with the Hispanic Student Union, CSDI offers programming to acknowledge and honor the contributions made by individuals of Latin decent in the United States and abroad. Events will include lectures, celebrations, performances, and field trips.

LGBTQ+ History Month (October)

CSDI offers programming to acknowledge and honor the contributions made by members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Some events will highlight the struggles and issues LGBTQ+ students continue to face in society. Additionally, CSDI will work collaboratively with the SIUE Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) to hold an event specific to the National Coming Out Day.

Graduation Celebrations

Each semester the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion hosts ceremonies in honor of our SIUE graduates representing various underrepresented populations.These pre-commencement ceremonies celebrate the extraordinary achievements made by students that are members of traditionally marginalized groups. The ceremonies are implemented in collaboration with the Kimmel Center for Student Involvement, SOAR Office, and SIUE Safe Zone Program.

Black Graduation Celebration

The Black Graduation Celebration is a pre-commencement celebration to honor African and African American students who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, SOAR, the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, and the Division of Student Affairs. More information about Black Graduation can be found here. 

Rainbow Graduation Celebration

 Sometimes referred to as Lavender Graduation, Rainbow Graduation is a pre-commencement celebration to honor the achievements of any graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or ally student who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, Safe Zone, the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, and the Division of Student Affairs.More information regarding the Rainbow Graduation Celebration can be found here. 

Latin@/x Graduation Celebration

The Latin@/x Graduation Celebration is a pre-commencement celebration to honor Latino, Latina, and Latinx students who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, and the Division of Student Affairs. More information regarding Latinx Graduation Celebration can be found here. 

Non-Traditional Graduation Celebration

The Non-Traditional  Graduation Celebration is an intimate pre-commencement celebration to honor those undergraduate students whose journeys to higher education did not follow the “typical” path who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, and the Division of Student Affairs. More information about the Non-traditional Graduation Celebration can be found here. 

CSDI Graduation Celebration

The CSDI Graduation Celebration is a pre-commencement celebration to honor BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) students who, through unyielding determination and academic achievements, have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, and the Division of Student Affairs.  More information regarding CSDI Graduation Celebration can be found here. 

Welcome Celebrations

Each semester the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion hosts programs to welcome students from traditionally underrepresented populations to campus. The Welcome programs serve as an introduction to specific resources on campus and gives students the opportunity to meet and engage with one another in a purposefully inclusive environment. These programs are open to all students and faculty and staff are invited to attend as well.

Black Student Welcome

This program focuses on connecting Black students with the CSDI and other resources on campus that support Black students.

Rainbow Welcome

This program focuses on connecting LGBTQIA+ students with the CSDI, Safe Zone, and other resources on campus that support LGBTQIA+ students.

Latin@/x Student Welcome

This program focuses on connecting Latin@/x students with the CSDI and other resources on campus that support Latinx students.

APIDA Student Welcome

This program focuses on connecting Asian, Asian American, Arab American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American students with the CSDI and other resources on campus that support students of these diverse identities.

Workshops and Panels

The CSDI offers a variety of workshops and panels regarding topics of equity, diversity, and inclusion. For more information on CSDI presenting a workshop to your department or organization, contact us at inclusion@siue.edu