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About the Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity

The work of the Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity (PSC) is guided by a vision of interactive pluralism, a framework that affirms the diversity of our student, faculty, and staff body, stands for mutual recognition and respect of difference, pursues community interaction along difference for personal and educational growth, and  commits ourselves  to the building of a multicultural and just community:

Effective diversity and social justice work requires a frame of mind that view difference as our greatest asset not our greatest weakness.    

Scope & Mission

The office operates from an inclusive definition of diversity that includes race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual identity/orientation, gender identity & expression, and the intersections of each of these social identity markers. In many of these areas the office works in collaboration with academic departments (e.g. Africana Studies, Women & Gender Studies, Sociology) and other administrative offices (e.g. Women's & Gender Resource Center, Center for Spirituality & Social Justice, LGBTQ Services, and Institutional Effectiveness & Inclusivity).

  • Identity Development: Part of creating a community that is reflective and responsive to our campus diversity includes students exploring and developing a sense of who they are racially, as gendered beings, in regards to their sexual identity, and with respect to other dimensions of their social and personal identity.
  • Intercultural Competence/Maturity: Developing multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skill among our student, faculty and staff body is essential in effectively and responsibility engaging in diverse environments.
  • Leadership & Engagement: Effective and skilled leadership and engagement are necessary in meeting the challenges of a living and working in 21st century multicultural communities.
    Inclusive Excellence: Championed by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AACU), the action of inclusive excellence requires us to uncover inequities in student success an identity practices that lead to change in the context of diversity, inclusion, equity/equity mindedness.

Advising & Support Services

Student Walk-In Hours:

The PSC is a student-centered office focused on supporting the needs of students from historically underrepresented cultural groups (African-American, Asian-American, Biracial/Multiracial, Latino and Native American). The PSC also aims to fostering strong cross-cultural awareness and connections through multiple forms of engagement including programs, collaborations, trainings and other opportunities.

The PSC has an “open door” atmosphere that encourages students to drop-in to meet individually with the Director to discuss academic, personal, and social concerns. Walk-in hour times are established and advertised each semester.

Student Organization support:

The PSC regularly collaborates with student organizations in an advisory and sponsorship capacity. Groups seeking PSC support can meet with the Director to discuss potential ideas. Groups seeking co-sponsorship can request a PSC Student Group Co-sponsorship Form from: PSC@dickinson.edu

PSC Program & Services Overview

Student Development Opportunities:

  • MANdatory: The PSC coordinates MANdatory, an academic enrichment and leadership development program for male identified students of color. The group meets on a weekly basis to discuss topics like social identity, campus engagement opportunities, and leadership skills, among others.
  • MultiRacial Mixer: The PSC hosts a monthly discussion group for biracial and multiracial Dickinson community members to connect with each other socially and discuss their experiences. Each meeting focuses on a theme and includes a delicious menu of food and beverage.
  • A.C.E peer mentor program: The A.C.E Peer Mentor Program, an engagement, development and support program for select first year students that pairs them with a trained upper-class mentor.

Annual Programming:

  • Campus Inclusion Week (September)
  • Landis Listens themed dialogue series (Fall & Spring)
  • Heritage Month Celebrations (Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, Latinx)
  • Inclusive Leadership Student Retreat
  • MultiRacial Mixers (Fall & Spring)
  • Day of the dead/Dia de los Muertos celebration (November)
  • Comfort Food @ Landis (May)
  • MLK Jr. Symposium (January-February)
  • Love @ Landis (February)
  • A.C.E peer mentor graduation ceremony
  • Senior Community Recognition Dinner (April)

The PSC also regularly invites artists, community organizers, facilitators, and scholars to campus.

Annual Trainings & Workshops:

In addition to facilitating the Inclusive Leadership Student Training (ILST) retreat annually, the PSC facilitates the conflict resolution training Did you really just say that? for the community and various workshops related to inclusive management practices and inclusive pedagogy.

A photo of Landis House

Landis House located at 101 S. College Street

Landis House

The PSC operates out of Landis House located at the corner of W. Pomfret & S. College Street. Landis House is also home to the Center for Spirituality, and Social Justice, the Office of LGBTQ Services and the Women's & Gender Resource Center.  Landis is open to all students, staff, and faculty. Our business hours are Monday thru Friday from the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Visit us: Landis is also accessible after business hours for those with a Dickinson identification card. In addition to office space, Landis offers space for students, staff, and faculty to reserve for meetings, class, study space, watching movies, or simply a place to hang out. To reserve space during the academic year, please contact Kim Sallie at salliek@dickinson.edu. We ask for at least 24 hours advance notice for reservations.