Center for Diversity & Inclusion

Our Mission

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion will support an intersectional environment where individuals of all cultures and identities are understood, included and valued.

Vision for the Future

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion will promote cultural awareness, knowledge and inquiry so that students can learn more about their personal identity(s), appreciate the uniqueness of others, and contribute to the creation of a more just society.

Signature Programs:

  • Leadership Development: Social Justice Badge. CAREER READINESS IS A PRIORITY. The new Social Justice Leadership Badge is for students who want to start leadership development related to being an agent of change. The program gives students of all identities the opportunity to understand systems of oppression, privilege, identity development, and strategies to create a more fair and just world. 

  • Courageous Conversations. Courageous Conversations is an intergroup dialogue that allows us to share our perspectives and experiences with one another about difficult issues we tend to just debate about or avoid entirely. Students will examine and discuss reading materials and videos that address issues and experiences relevant to the William Paterson student body. Intergroup dialogue cultivates engagement across differences as we explore different perspectives and raise awareness and consciousness.

  • Theme Celebrations. The Center for Diversity & Inclusion works collaboratively with Campus Activities, Service and Leadership, the Student Activities Programming Board, Student Government Association and partners across the campus to provide enrichment programs that celebrate the rich diversity of our students. Please visit WP Calendar of Events and Pioneer Life to see the full range of programs.

  • Support Services and Resources:

    • Gender and Sexuality Resources: As a part of William Paterson’s commitment to promoting a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all genders and sexual identities, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion strives to validate the experiences through collaborative programming, education, and direct services. 

    • Faith and Spirituality: The Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports interfaith programming, religious and non-religious student organizations and works with campus partners to advance spiritual awareness and celebrates the existence of religious diversity among the campus community at William Paterson.

Student Support Groups

Peer-Run Student Support Group  are co-facilitated by Graduate Students in the  Master's program in Clinical & Counseling Psychology and the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program as an opportunity to support undergraduate student success. This is a partnership between the Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion and the Counseling Health and Wellness Center (CHWC) with the support of the Master's program in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. 

    The Cultural Barriers Student Support group is not a treatment group. The Student Support Group provides a space for students to process and reconcile cultural barriers and challenges in balancing of two cultures, code-switching, microaggressions, and racial trauma that occurs on or off campus and impacts the student’s performance in the classroom.  Check Pioneer Life for the Zoom Link. 

    Meet the Facilitators: 

    KPL pic

    Kimberly (she/her) is a second-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Latin American Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2019. She co-led the Spanish Cultural Adjustment group for recently arrived Latinx youth at a Paterson public school in the Spring of 2022.  Kimberly is currently interning at Jersey City Medical Center in the Trauma Recovery Center. 

    Jessica E. Headshot

    Jessica Ebegbulem, LPC, ACS (she/her) serves as the Multicultural Specialist/Counselor for the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center.  Jessica provides supervision and support. 

    The LGBTQIA+ Student Support group is not a treatment group. The LGBTQIA+ Student Support Group is a peer-led experience that may be a great opportunity for individuals who would like some extra support related to their LGBTQIA+ identities, but do not want to start formal counseling, or would like to find a small, supportive network on campus. Check Pioneer Life for the Zoom Link. 

    Meet the Facilitators:

    Gabriella juarez headshot

    Gabriella (she/they) is a second-year student in the clinical and counseling psychology master's program at WPU. They serve as the Graduate Assistant for the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion supporting Gender and Sexuality resources and programs.  Gabriella leads the LGBTQIA+ Student Support Group and the LGBTea+ Mentorship Program.

    Daisy Rodribuez headshot Daisy Rodriguez (she/her), MSW, LCSW, DRCC is the Associate Director for the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center.  Daisy provides supervision and Support. 

    Please explore the wide range of resources and programs that support diversity and inclusion at William Paterson University beyond the Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the Black Cultural Center:

    Contact Us

    Location

    John Victor Machuga Student Center, Room 214