MOSAIC Multicultural Center Grand Opening

MOSAIC Multicultural Center Grand Opening

The MOSAIC Multicultural Center at SUNY Delhi has been operating since the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester with an official grand opening on Friday, October 26. The whole campus community was invited to the ribbon-cutting at the Center, located in room 216 in Farrell.

MOSAIC is devoted to fostering awareness of topics related to diversity, inclusion, and identity development.

“SUNY Delhi has a very diverse student body with about 48% of our students representing racially and ethnically marginalized identities,” says Jarvis McCowin, Assistant Director of MOSAIC. “This sparked a conversation among college leadership about how to not only serve those students, but also use our diversity as an opportunity to educate and benefit all students at Delhi.”

McCowin sees MOSAIC as a safe haven for anyone who wants a brave, positive place to socialize with others or to participate in the Center’s programming. The Center has a TV, a refrigerator, computers, books, and games that students are encouraged to enjoy. Conversation starter games can be used to help students get to know each other and spark dialogue.

“It’s important to know that we welcome everyone, no matter what your identity,” McCowin says. “We are not diverse if we’re all the same."

Tileeyah Rogers, originally from New Rochelle, NY, is a sophomore majoring in Education. She is interning at MOSAIC and has found the Center helpful in getting through some difficult times. “This is a place where you can get support and build your character,” she says. “Whatever you’re going through, it helps to know you’re not alone.”

While Rogers considers SUNY Delhi a very welcoming campus overall, she says that the addition of MOSAIC is important to further cultivate an environment of honesty and open-mindedness. “We all learn from each other’s viewpoints.”

McCowin agrees. “To me, the Multicultural Center is an added educational space that everyone can benefit from. We’re not here to tell anyone what to think, but how to think. My hope is that we can foster personal growth and increase the social capital of our students.”

In the current socio-political climate where social justice and diversity issues are often at the center of friction, the creation of MOSAIC comes at a good time. “It’s important to offer a space for students to talk openly about things that impact them and the world.”

According to McCowin, SUNY Delhi is one of only a few colleges in the region with a multicultural center. “While other colleges may have a multicultural affairs office, it’s rare to have an active, dedicated hub like ours.”

MOSAIC’s programming includes a book club, guest talks, study hours, tutoring, and a Men of Distinction Academy initiative for men of color to bond, share successes, and receive mentoring.

Visit the MOSAIC website to learn more.