ABOUT THE MOSAIC CENTER
The MOSAIC (Multicultural Office of Student Access, Inclusion, & Community) Center is an inclusive space that engages and supports personal and collective cultural awareness and advocacy work for students, staff, and faculty. The MOSAIC Center’s most notable feature is the physical lounge where the CPTC community can gather, engage, and learn about a variety of topics within the scope of equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). Our staff work closely and collaboratively with other key stakeholders, on and off-campus, to operationalize the college’s committee to ED&I. Using an intentional, high-touch approach, we provide CPTC’s students with the necessary support and tools to achieve academic and personal success from entry to graduation. Through events, workshops, and programming that focus on ED&I, we engage and empower students in identity development, self-advocacy, and activism that lasts beyond graduation and leads into their next chapter after CPTC.
We Value:
- Critical Inquiry: Examining the systems and structures that we live in to make positive change in our society through education, advocacy, and support
- Community: Creating, developing, and sustaining reciprocal relationships in our region to build coalitions within our region
- Care: for CPTC community members who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, undocumented students, low-income students, first generation students and those interested in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Our goals are to:
- Cultivate a sense of belonging for historically marginalized populations
- Foster a college commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Nurture a diverse community of ED&I leaders
Center Hours: Monday - Thursday, 10am to 4pm
Location: Building 23, Room 118
Purpose
CPTC’s Diversity Factbook indicates that there are persistent equity gaps amongst students of color in the areas of access, retention, and completion. As the College engages the campus community as part of its commitment to work towards the advancement of equitable education and the success of students from diverse racial, ethnic and gender backgrounds. The Multicultural Student Services Program is uniquely positioned to facilitate this movement to strengthen the College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Approach
The MOSAIC Center will use an evidence-based, data-driven, high-touch approach to design high-impact practices and student-centered support programs to support the unique needs of students from diverse racial, ethnic and gender backgrounds, from the initial days on campus through program completion. The program will utilize the inclusive excellence framework, which focuses on four themes:
- Achieve access and equity for historically underrepresented groups
- Create a multicultural and inclusive climate for the entire college community
- Expand our knowledge and teaching practices around issues of diversity
- Prepare students with knowledge about diverse groups and cultures - to effectively work in a diverse society
Resources & Services
- The MOSAIC Center is a wonderful place to hang out, meet other students, catch up with friends, study, enjoy lunch or rest between classes. The lounge space is vibrant and the diverse community members create a warm and welcome space for all who come through our door. If you are a CPTC club or organization, you can reserve the space for your meetings, events, or programs! Check out our space resources below.
- Space Resources
- Physical Lounge: Drop by anytime during our open hours to visit the space!
- Computers: All CPTC students have access to the computers
- Couches: A comfy spot to hang out, study, and engage in dialogue
- Whiteboard: A 5 ft x 3 ft mobile whiteboard with markers to organize your thoughts
- TV: Plug in your computer via HDMI to share your screen or relax and watch live shows
- Chairs & desks: Stackable furniture to meet your gathering needs
- Library: A collection of multicultural and diverse books to check out
- MOSAIC Navigators: Students in the space are available during open hours to help guide and answer any questions on your mind
- Professional Staff: Luke’s office is located within the MOSIAC Center and they are here to assist you!
Programs, Events & Gatherings
- Students of Color Conference: The Students of Color Conference (SOCC) offers educational workshops designed to help students lead in a diverse community. In addition, students participate in a group discussion of issues that affect their own identity group. Students will be able to network with other student leaders from Washington State colleges.
- Student Employment: Coming soon! During summer 2022, The MOSAIC Center will be creating, advertising, and hiring students positions to work in our center. The students will provide peer mentorship, assistance with programs, and create a vibrant atmosphere in the physical lounge.
- Diversity & Inclusion Committee: This specific committee is a branch within Associate Student Government and Luke Ruiz is the staff advisor. Students who are part of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee help lead programs and initiatives that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion at CPTC. Recent programs include Eliminate Racism, AAPI Month activities, and Pride planning.
- SOCA: The Students of Color Association is a student-led club that organizes diverse educational opportunities and programs on campus. Students from all backgrounds are welcome to join! Some examples of recent activity include Juneteenth, Students of Color Conference, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Cultural & Identity-Based Graduation Stoles: As we head into graduation season, the Department of Student Life and the MOSAIC Center partner closely to offer cultural and identity stoles to all CPTC graduating students who participate in the spring Commencement Ceremony. Students are able to select a stole that best aligns with their cultural background and identity to wear during graduation activities. We have the following available: Asian & Pacific Islander Stole, Hispanic & Latinx Stole, Kente Stole (for Black students), Native American Stole, and Rainbow Stole (for LGBTQ+ students).
Get Involved
Want to get involved with the MOSAIC Center as a student or employee? Send an email to Luke Ruiz (luke.ruiz@cptc.edu) to start the conversation.
