Diversity and Cultural Resource Centers and Programs

The academic culture centers at NIU provide programs and events that support and engage students, faculty and staff on topics related to their professional, cultural and social interest. These centers are often a “home away from home" for students seeking ways to unite with students who share their culture. The centers are spaces where you can celebrate and honor traditions and connect with students and faculty in a warm and intellectually engaging and inviting environment.

Asian American Studies Undergraduate Certificate

The Asian American Resource Center offers an undergraduate certificate in Asian-American Studies designed to provide interested students with a strong sense of the Asian American experience and its impact on individuals, their communities and this nation.

Center for Black Studies

The Center for Black Studies offers Northern Illinois University and its surrounding communities an interdisciplinary understanding of the histories and cultures of African Americans and the African diaspora. Supporting students, faculty, staff and community partners, the Center for Black Studies advances cultural understanding, intellectual and leadership development, professional growth and social justice while serving as a collaborative and supportive space on campus.

Center for Burma Studies

The Center for Burma Studies celebrates the culture of Burma through regular exhibitions and events. The center curates over 10,000 items from Burma, including pieces of art and maps which can be viewed, as well as music and books that are available to check out through interlibrary loan. The NIU center is supported by the Burma Studies Foundation to be the National Center for Burma Studies.

Center for Latino and Latin American Studies

The Center for Latino and Latin American Studies celebrates Latin culture, development, resources, history and societies of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Latino/a peoples around the globe.

Center for Southeast Asian Studies

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies combines and celebrates the cultures of the eleven countries that make up Southeast Asia. Students share and enhance their culture while learning and speaking these languages, and learn about the history and religions of Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality

The Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality offers eight programs that promote global awareness through the study of women, gender and sexuality with opportunities for community engagement and service learning. These programs include both undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, minors in LGBT or Women and Gender Studies, and a major in Women’s, Gender and/or Sexuality studies.

Asian American Center

The Asian American Center’s main goal is to enhance the quality of college life for Asian American students on campus through heritage programs, academic support and student organization events that foster inclusion.

Center for Black Studies

The Center for Black Studies offers Northern Illinois University and its surrounding communities an interdisciplinary understanding of the histories and cultures of African Americans and the African diaspora. Supporting students, faculty, staff and community partners, the Center for Black Studies advances cultural understanding, intellectual and leadership development, professional growth, and social justice while serving as a collaborative and supportive space on campus.

Disability Resource Center

The mission of the Disability Resource Center, or DRC, is to create an accessible, inclusive, sustainable learning environment, where disability is recognized as an aspect of diversity that is integral to the campus community and to society. We promote and facilitate access, create inclusive environments, and reduce barriers so that we increase the recruitment, transition, retention and graduation of students with disabilities.

Latino Resource Center

The Latino Resource Center, or LRC, focuses on student-centered service and developing partnerships focused on student learning. We aim to establish an inclusive community and build collaborative relationships across campus and the surrounding community.

Gender and Sexuality Resource Center

NIU is one of just 100 campuses to achieve a 4.5 out 5 stars on the National Listing of LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, or GSRC, serves as a central location for resources and support as we acknowledge the historical impacts of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer identities. We are a home away from home for all persons, inclusive of sexual and gender identities, and all forms of masculinity and femininity.

Military and Veteran Services

Military and Veteran Services  serves all veteran, active duty, people of the National Guard and their families.

Undocumented Student Support

The Office of Undocumented Student Support was created to ensure that undocumented and mixed-status students have the tools and resources they need to succeed at NIU.

In addition to engaging with undocumented and mixed-status students and their allies, we coordinate advocacy, programming and referrals that support educational equity. We also work with faculty and staff to assist undocumented and mixed-status students and their families.

Contact Us

Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Health Services 408
DeKalb, IL 60115

815-753-8399
equity@niu.edu

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