Auburn Multicultural Center renamed Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence

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Effective immediately, Auburn's Multicultural Center will be known as the Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence.

The decision to rename the student-centered unit coincides with the recent renaming of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, the ongoing implementation of the Campus Climate Study and the relocation of the center to 2103 Student Center. The renaming also supports the center's continuing mission of advancing unity, equity and inclusion through coordinated campus programs.

"This renaming reflects a unique opportunity to shift the center's focus from one that merely celebrated Auburn's multiculturalism to one that promotes dialogue and interaction between all cultures," said director Allen Sutton.

The center currently serves 17 organizations ranging from numerous religious, racial, international and advocacy student groups including the Latino Student Association, the Black Student Union, the International Student Organization and Spectrum: Auburn Gay Straight Alliance.

Throughout the year, the center works with several academic and nonacademic units across the university to provide speakers and programming that highlight a sense of togetherness for the celebration of diversity. These engagement activities have resulted in a 40 percent increase in the amount of student visits during the past two years.

"Cultures can be different within countries, states, cities and even families and those differences can range from gender, racial, ethical, ethnic, orientation status, geographical, historical, moral, political and religious," Sutton said. "Regardless of what differences may exist, the new Cross-Cultural Center for Excellence will be here to help bridge the gap to ensure that all Auburn students, irrespective to difference, feel a sense of belonging to the Auburn family."

Office contact information for the unit remains the same; the phone number is 334-844-2976.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.