The University of Arkansas Multicultural Center (MC) is undergoing major renovations!
In an interview with the director, Dr. Cedric Kenner, he indicated that the renovation was long overdue to keep up with the palpable increase in diversity on the U of A campus. With the old layout, students experienced tremendous difficulty in freely accessing the numerous resources that the center has to offer. The Multicultural Center was partially hidden behind the former Red Lounge, decreasing visibility and creating discouraging barriers for student engagement. With the new layout and expansion, the offices will be in the rear and students will have greater access and mobility in and through the newly renovated center. Students will now have the ability to relax, study and lounge in the more plentiful and spacious layout even when seminars, lectures and everyday business is being conducted. The new changes will provide a lively and welcoming atmosphere for the center’s students and staff.
The newly renovated Multicultural Center will include an expanded state-of-the-art lecture hall, conference room, a TV/gaming lounge where students can relax and enjoy themselves, multiple study areas, a library and a kitchen where students can socialize in a homey environment. There will even be an electronic message board for alumni to record video messages of encouragement for students to view! The new layout was conceptualized even down to the architectural level from the influence of the Multicultural Center staff, especially Dr. Kenner, and was designed to continue the students first vision of the YOU of A.
The center will also provide a home to the Office of Latino Academic Advancement & Community Relations, and the College Access Initiative Program. Dr. Kenner believes housing these offices in the new Multicultural Center will provide more exposure for the diversity initiatives of the university and increase the U of A’s efforts toward establishing a higher standard of education for residents of the state of Arkansas and beyond.
The Multicultural Center is experiencing a name renovation as well. The new name will be Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, a more inclusive title and a better reflection of the efforts to increase diversity on the part of the university. The official opening of the new center is expected to be in October, and Dr. Kenner and the rest of the staff are very excited about the growth and progress that the expanded and improved Multicultural Center will represent.
Dr. Kenner encourages all alumni in the area to be actively involved in the center’s growth. Alumni interested in visiting, presenting and connecting with the students are asked to please call or come by and help celebrate the Multicultural Center’s new developments. Remember, we must be the change that we want to see.
For more information about the Multicultural Center, please contact Dr. Cedric Kenner at 475-575-8405 or ckenner@uark.edu.
