Willamette University Office of Multicultural Affairs records

The Office of Multicultural Affairs promotes multiculturalism throughout the campus community by delivering a variety of educational programs and services advocating for social justice and diversity. Services include: assistance and consultation related to the academic and personal success of multicultural students; multicultural activities and programs for the University and local community; attention to multicultural/diversity issues and concerns of individuals and groups; and support for the ongoing development of multicultural and LGBTQ student organizations. The Office has sponsored a number of annual events, some of which are still continuing and others of which have fallen away, such as the Expressions Program, the International Festival, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations.

The Office was established in 1982 as the Intercultural Center. Located in York House, the center served as an informal lounge and meeting place for the Willamette International Student Association, the Third World Student Organization, the Minority Action Committee and other groups of students and faculty who promoted the goal of cultural diversity on the Willamette campus. The first director of Intercultural Affairs was Jorge Espinosa, who was hired in 1985. Over the years, the office was intermittently independant and grouped with other student support offices under a single director or coordinator. These other offices included Counseling, Career Development, and Accessibility/Disabled Student Services. The stated focus of the Office has shifted with student needs, and has included international students, LGBTQ+ students, non-traditionally aged students, students with disabilities, ethnically minoritized students, and others.