The Center offers events, programs, services and educational opportunities for the Emmanuel community to explore issues of diversity and equity. We also work to strengthen our connections with each other and the city of Boston.
Students Taking an Active Role Together
The S.T.A.R.T. program seeks to introduce individuals to social issues on a scholarly level. Our goal as a program is to help facilitate and lead those conversations. The world around us is constantly shifting, therefore it is imperative to have important dialogue reflective of reality. S.T.A.R.T. seeks to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the society we live in.
Founded in 2015, the Brotherhood, Opportunity, Networking, and Direction (BOND) program aims to support young male students of color at Emmanuel College. BOND emphasizes Brotherhood and gives young men the chance to build healthy friendships with their peers through social programs and activities. BOND also promotes the pursuit of Opportunity through academic excellence, leadership development, and career planning. The BOND program facilitates Networking by offering events and workshops that connect young men with positive and productive individuals for mentorship and employment opportunities. BOND is also committed to empowering students by giving them Direction through valuable feedback, encouragement, and lessons in accountability from their peers and mentors.
In collaboration with a number of campus partners, the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leads First-Generation Student Support and Programming. You might be a First-Generation student if:
Essentially, The Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion defines a First-Generation college student as a student whose family has limited experience navigating the academic, financial, and cultural barriers to higher education. At many colleges and universities, the definition may vary slightly, but most conclude that a First-Generation college student is the first in their family to pursue a bachelor's degree.
Learn more about First-Generation Student Support on Instagram and Twitter
In early 2015, Emmanuel College President Sister Janet Eisner, SNDdeN expanded the President's Panel Supporting a Diverse and Inclusive Community to form a new President's Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, made up of faculty, students, staff and administration. The role of this commission is to address issues of discrimination through college-wide trainings, campus discussions about race, multicultural programs and services responsive to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
This commission is guided by the values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the College's mission, the Catholic intellectual tradition, and the social teachings of the Catholic Church, and affirm "that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person." (United States Conference of Bishops)
The Nia Retreat brings students of color together at an off-campus site to reflect on their experiences at Emmanuel. Participants will build strong connections with their peers, learn skills to assist them as they prepare for academic success, and gain confidence in their ability to navigate life at Emmanuel and beyond.
The Genesis Ceremony is an opportunituy for Graduating Students of Color to receive a stole representing their background/culture to wear over their gown at graduation. Started in 2008, the Genesis ceremony unites students, their families, staff, and faculty in celebrating the accomplishments of outgoing seniors of color.
Started in 2018, the Lavender Ceremony for Graduating LGBTQ+ students offers students from our LGBTQ+ community a chance to celebrate their accomplishments with friends, family, staff, and faculty. Students are presented with a stole or pin that they can wear at graduation and that celebrates their LGBTQ+ identity.
We celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with several programs and events. The MLK Day of Service has been a longstanding partnership wth the Cardinal Seán O'Malley Center for Mission and Ministry.
In 2019, The CDEI led the first Coretta Scott King Student Luncheon, bringing students of color and members of the campus community together to reflect on student service inspired by the work and legacy of Mrs. King.
Created in 2005, Through the Wire is the College’s diversity lecture series, consisting of “Campus Conversations” and “Speaker and Performance” events. The programming serves as a way to stimulate intellectual discourse on campus with an emphasis on issues of race, racism, gender, sexual orientation, class and socioeconomic status. The series provides a mix of dynamic speakers to engage and challenge all Emmanuel students – particularly underrepresented student populations – to affirm identity, challenge stereotypes and become active learners of their cultures and history.
"If anyone would ask me what to do in college, I would tell them to do everything. Get as much experience as you can. Meet people and do things. Take advantage of all college has to offer."
Jumping into her Emmanuel experience, Shakirah was sure of two things: that what she had planned was going to be a “tall task,” and that she was up for the challenge.
Katherine’s foray into biology might seem an unlikely one for a future dentist.
Counseling & health psychology major Christine came to Emmanuel knowing she wanted to pursue a career in health care, and the College’s opportunities and connections for students interested in the field—as well as a neuroscience course she attended at EC Incoming—made the decision an easy one.
When asking secondary education and biology double major Angela Girodier '22 if she’s more passionate about research or teaching, she quickly and emphatically says “both.”
From an early age, Campbell Shealy '22 was interested in two things—living in a big city and numbers.
As a mathematics and economics double major with a concentration in statistics, Matt found actuarial work of calculating the financial consequences of risk for companies right in line with his interests.
Robert’s interest in the workings of the wider world grew in 2011 as the Arab Spring became international news. “I love history,” he said, “so knowing the history of the states as well as their current affairs made their actions and interactions much more interesting to me.”
Michael chose Emmanuel because of its location in Boston and its proximity to the city's "big players," specifically its leading names in the financial industry.
What began as an on-campus job in Emmanuel's student center transformed into a new career path for Jessie, one that brought her to Harvard University as a master's candidate in higher education administration.
Chemistry graduate Jennifer Scarborough '17 has found a way to combine her love for science and education. She shares her enthusiasm for the subjects as an education associate in the Hall of Human Life exhibit at Museum of Science Boston—one of the top science museums in the country (according to National Geographic).
At Emmanuel, management major Juan Sebastian Levy '14 prepared to succeed in an increasingly global society, experience that has taken him to Wayfair's offices in Berlin and back to Reebok's international headquarters in Boston.
Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.
Questions?
617-735-9715
