Mission
The mission of the UA Little Rock Multicultural Center is to support all students at UA Little Rock by providing culturally-responsive programming and education to promote student success, personal growth, and a culture of respect and inclusion.
Summary Narrative
1) Enhance recruitment and retention efforts to increase enrollment
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2) Strengthen student-friendly operations and customer service
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3) Improve diversity and inclusion efforts to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students
Since October 1, 2018, the Multicultural Center sponsored or co-sponsored 11 events not tied to traditional cultural observances. These events included:
- Student Feedback/Listening Sessions
- Study Break (4 total)
- Student Feedback/Listening Session
- Holocaust Survivor Lecture (with Anderson Institute)
- Racial Attitudes Conference (with Anderson Institute)
- Diversity Training for Orientation Leaders
- David O. Dodd Elementary School Multicultural Day
In addition, the Multicultural Center sponsored or co-sponsored events for Black History Month and for Diversity Week and Women’s History Month.
This was accomplished through collaboration and partnerships with several units, including the Diversity Council, Division of Student Affairs, and several academic units.
The MC Director’s first-year plans and goals were not fully met due to the major changes the university experienced. However, the MC has been successful in gaining traction with students and with the overall campus community and is being recognized as a resource with regard to diversity and inclusion.
4) Align financial and human resources to operate more effectively and efficiently
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5) Promote student development, engagement, and leadership
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At A Glance
38 Total events sponsored or co-sponsored
- Black History Month: 10 events approximately 640 total participants
- Diversity Week/Women’s History Month 17 events approximately 462 participants.
- General Multicultural Center events 11 events: approximately 515 total participants
Assessment 1
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Operational
Activity or experience being assessed
Black History Month Launch Event
Assessment artifacts
Survey
Time period assessment was done
February 4-8, 2019
Results
Most students who responded to the survey responded positively to the overall experience. They enjoyed having a program that was based on more fun and interaction, rather than a speaker, which a few students commented had become the norm. Students also made suggestions for future activities, ways to communicate and advertise more clearly, and ways the event could be improved. This included a different playlist for the background music, additional activities (more stations), and a more robust trivia station with “more difficult” questions.
Continuous improvement process
Based on this feedback, the MC will continue to improve its programming agenda by using the advertising and interaction suggestions overall, as well as adjusting the specific activities of the event.
WHEN: Fall 2019
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
A key group of students will be involved in all planning going forward to ensure that these suggestions are implemented and are in line with what students want to see in their programming.
Assessment 2
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Operational
Activity or experience being assessed
Experience with Campus Culture
Assessment artifacts
Focus groups
Time period assessment was done
October 16-18, 2018
Results
Students commented on their overall experience with the campus culture specifically, as it relates to diversity and inclusion. Students were also asked what programs and services they would like to see. Several themes emerged including the need for more communication about what is going on with campus affairs and programs, and more fun activities (as opposed to educational all the time).
Two very striking and consistent comments that were made will inform much of the work that will be done over the course of AY 20. Overall, students felt that more mentoring is needed, especially for minority students. Also, the students expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that so many people, who they perceived to be “white/Caucasian” were leading efforts for minority students. They expressed that this was difficult for them because they didn’t feel as if those leaders, as caring as they are, “really understood them.”
Continuous improvement process
Additional communication strategies including text and more robust social media strategies will be used for fall 2019. In addition, programs will be planned earlier and with more input and involvement from students from the beginning.
A stronger push to make mentoring opportunities available and accessible for minority students will be made. Also, an effort will be made to include more faculty and staff that identify as underrepresented in programming and in mentoring roles.
WHEN: Fall 2019
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
A key group of students will be involved in all planning going forward to ensure that these suggestions are implemented and are in line with what students want to see in their programming.
Assessment 3
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Student learning outcome
Activity or experience being assessed
Human Library
Assessment artifacts
Survey
Time period assessment was done
March 26, 2019
Results
This year’s Human Library, in conjunction with the Diversity Council, was a huge success. Of the students who attended and responded to the survey (25), all of them stated their “perspective or understanding about another culture or viewpoint was positively influenced after your conversation.”
When asked “did you learn something that you did not know before today as a result of the conversation,” all of the students replied yes.
When asked whether or not they would return to the event the next time it was hosted, students responded the average response was 4.64 out of 5.
Several students and other participants commented verbally that they wanted more time to interact with more people. They also stated that they would like to attend the event more frequently.
Continuous improvement process
Human Library will be hosted for a 4-hour period instead of a 3-hour period. Human Library will be hosted once each fall and spring semester, with one of the Human Library sessions focusing on a more narrow topic.
WHEN: Fall 2019
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
All participants for whom we have email addresses will receive notification of these changes.
Other Planned Assessments
The assessments planned for this year were not implemented due to the major changes the university experienced. However, other assessments were done (see above) that will help guide the department moving forward.
Priorities for Next Year
- Re-establish consistent programming, processes, etc. in light of organizational changes
- Position NPHC and NPHC affiliated organizations to better thrive
- Strengthen the existing Student Affairs mentoring programs for minority students.
