URI’s Multicultural Student Services Center to host it’s 22nd Annual Diversity Week

URI Diversity Week 2018

KINGSTON, R.I., – September 17, 2018 – The University of Rhode Island will hold its 22nd Annual Diversity Week Monday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 28 on the Kingston Campus.

Hosted by the Multicultural Student Services Center, this year’s theme is “Youth Activism Across Identities, Issues and Ideologies.” The week-long program will offer several events – workshops, lectures, discussions, exhibits, screenings, performances, luncheons – all designed for members of the URI community to learn and interact through empowering messages.

“We call it Diversity Week, however, I truly believe this event will create a movement through the entire year,” said George Gallien, director of the Multicultural Student Services Center who joined the URI community in 2017.

Since his arrival, Gallien worked to create an open and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and community members of diverse backgrounds.

When asked how this years theme, “Youth Activism” was chosen, Gallien said he paid attention to what today’s youth is fighting for. “We see young people speaking out on issues that they are passionate about such as early age voting rights, same sex marriages, Black Lives Matter, immigration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and school shootings: a culture of violence” he said.

“Students want to be more involved in policy making decisions that affect their lives. I believe Diversity Week will give them the knowledge and confidence to continue this movement throughout our campus.”

The educational series is designed to prepare students, faculty and staff by developing competencies for different cultures. Over the past 22 years, the approximately 65 events held annually have attracted an average yearly attendance of nearly 3,400.

View the full list of event details on the Multicultural Student Services website.

This press release was written by Josh Reyes, a public relations major and intern at the URI Department of Marketing and Communications.