Days-Massolo Multicultural Center Strategic Plan
An Ambitious Three-Year Strategic Plan (2024-27)
Developed by Koboul E. Mansour, Director
Vision
At the Days-Massolo Multicultural Center (DMC), we envision a Hamilton College where all students, faculty, and staff thrive in an environment that celebrates diversity, fosters equity, and promotes a deep sense of belonging. The DMC seeks to be a hub for cultural exchange, inclusive education advocacy, and community building, empowering the entire Hamilton community to embrace and engage with multiculturalism as a core aspect of the liberal arts experience.
Mission
Our Mission at the DMC is to support the personal, academic, and professional growth of students from diverse backgrounds while promoting an inclusive campus culture. Through education, advocacy, and collaborative programming with various campus stakeholders, the DMC aims to challenge systemic inequalities, celebrate cultural diversity, and cultivate a more just and equitable Hamilton community.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Goal 1.1: Expand Culturally Relevant Programs
- Develop and implement a comprehensive calendar of culturally relevant programs, workshops, and events that reflect the diversity of the student body and address the unique needs of underrepresented communities.
- Introduce peer mentoring and support groups for students from marginalized communities, fostering a sense of belonging and providing resources for academic and personal growth and success.
- Collaborate with student organizations to co-create initiatives that amplify diverse voices and provide platforms for inclusive education and advocacy.
Goal 1.2: Strengthen Academic Support for Underrepresented Communities
- Partner with academic departments to offer tutoring, writing assistance, and other academic resources specifically tailored to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
- Advocate for the inclusion of multicultural perspectives in the curriculum and support staff and faculty in developing inclusive teaching and mentorship practices.
- Establish scholarships and support programs targeting students from historically underrepresented groups, reducing barriers to their academic success.
Goal 2.1: Enhance Cultural Competence and Inclusive Pedagogy
- Develop and deliver professional development workshops on cultural competence, inclusive teaching and educational practices for faculty and staff.
- Establish a fellowship or grant program to encourage faculty to integrate multicultural perspectives into their courses and research.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together faculty and staff to create innovative inclusive programming and initiatives.
Goal 2.2: Increase Faculty and Staff Participation in the DMC
- Encourage faculty and staff to take on mentorship roles within the DMC, supporting students’ development and leadership at Hamilton.
- Create opportunities for faculty and staff to collaborate with the DMC on research projects, community outreach, and other initiatives that advance diversity and inclusion at Hamilton.
- Recognize and celebrate the contributions of faculty and staff who actively engage with the DMC and champion diversity, equity, and belonging efforts within their departments.
Goal 3.1: Creating Mentorship Programs
- Develop mentorship programs that pair new or junior staff and faculty from marginalized backgrounds with more experienced colleagues. These mentorship relationships can provide guidance, career advice, and emotional support, helping to navigate the challenges of working in predominantly white institution (PWI).
- Establish and support affinity groups or resource networks for staff and faculty from marginalized backgrounds. These groups provide a safe space for members to connect, share experiences, and offer mutual support, fostering a sense of belonging and community at Hamilton.
Goal 4.1: Lead Campus Dialogues on Social Justice and Equity
- Organize campus-wide forums, speaker series, and panel discussions that address pressing social justice issues, fostering critical dialogue and raising awareness across the Hamilton Community.
- Launch a digital campaign to highlight the stories, experiences, and achievements of students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, promoting a culture of inclusion and respect.
- Partner with Hamilton’s Communications and Marketing Office to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are prominently featured in all campus communications and promotional materials.
Goal 4.2: Advocate for Institutional Change and Policy Reform
- Collaborate with Hamilton’s leadership to review and revise institutional policies and practices to ensure they are equitable and inclusive, particularly in areas such as admissions, hiring, and student support services.
- Work with Hamilton’s administration to develop a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion plan, with measurable goals and accountability mechanisms.
- Establish a Diversity Council composed of students, faculty, and staff to provide ongoing feedback and recommendations on institutional diversity efforts and monitor progress toward achieving the college’s diversity goals.
Goal 5.1: Forge Stronger Connections with Local Communities
- Establish partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and cultural institutions to create service-learning opportunities and collaborative projects that benefit both Hamilton and the surrounding community.
- Collaborate with the Office of Global Learning that focuses on multicultural and global learning, providing students with immersive experiences in diverse cultural contexts.
Goal 5.2: Develop Alumni Networks to Support Multicultural Initiatives
- Engage alumni from diverse backgrounds to mentor current students, share their professional experiences, and contribute to the DMC’s programing and initiatives.
- Establish an alumni advisory board for the DMC to provide guidance, support fundraising efforts, and strengthen the DMC’s long-term sustainability.
- Create a multicultural alumni network that fosters connections among alumni, supports career development, and promotes lifelong engagement with the Hamilton’s diversity and inclusion goals.
To ensure the successful implementation of this strategic plan, the DMC will establish clear metrics and benchmarks for each goal, conduct regular assessments of progress, and engage the college community in ongoing dialogue about the DMC’s impact and areas for improvement. Annual reports will be produced to document achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, ensuring that the DMC remains responsive to the evolving needs of the Hamilton community and its diverse constituents.
The DMC’s strategic plan is an ambitious roadmap for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Hamilton. By focusing on enhancing student engagement, promoting faculty and staff involvement, building campus-wide awareness, and strengthening community partnerships, the DMC will assume a central role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for Hamilton’s community.
Contact
Office / Department Name
Days-Massolo Center
Contact Name
Koboul E. Mansour, Ph.D
Director of the Days-Massolo Center
