GET INVOLVED
Activities and Programs
- American LIFE
(International Center)—Through American LIFE, Columbia and Mid-Missouri residents befriend new international students for at least the first semester after his or her arrival in Columbia, meeting at least once a month for activities of your choosing (meals, coffee, sporting event, family celebrations, etc).
- Celebrations of Culture (Multicultural Center)—Celebrations of Culture is an occasional program for students, staff and faculty tied to the national heritage months to help the campus learn about the contributions of diverse groups to the fabric of the United States. For more information contact the Multicultural Center at 573-882-7152 or MendozaP@missouri.edu.
- Chancellor's Diversity Initiative Ambassadors program—a select group of dedicated students who represent the Chancellor's Diversity Initiative. These undergraduate, graduate, and professional students volunteer to actively support the university’s mission of enhancing institutional diversity and promoting a more inclusive and welcoming campus.
- Collegiate Ambassadors Program (Asian Affairs Center)—The Collegiate Ambassadors Program (CAP) is a unique program where MU students act as mentors, tutors, tour guides and friends to visiting students participating in the English Proficiency and Internship (EPI) program or in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program.
- Conversation Partners Program (Asian Affairs Center)—Students have an opportunity to meet interesting people, learn about other countries and share their cultures in the Conversation Partners Program. Non-native students from China and Korea are paired with native English speaking students to practice English speaking skills. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to participate.
- Difficult Dialogues—The MU Difficult Dialogues program is designed assist faculty in understanding controversial and divisive issues in the student body and help them empower students to express opposing views respectfully and in the spirit of open-mindedness. Program activities provide an environment in which differing views are defended, heard, and considered by those who hold conflicting ideas and values across cultures.
- Dinners Program (Asian Affairs Center)—Could you share a Sunday or evening meal with an international student or a family? If there's one thing that Americans and Asians really have in common, it's a love of food and bonding over a meal. The Asian Affairs Center invites faculty, staff, students and community members to play host to two of our visiting students or scholars from Pacific Rim countries, inviting them to your home for an American-style dinner/supper.
- Discussions on Diversity, Multicultural Center—This program is presented by the Diversity Peer Educators to allow students to discuss various diversity and social justice issues that are occurring locally and nationally. For more information contact the Multicultural Center at 573-882-7152 or MendozaP@missouri.edu.
- Diversity in Action seminar series (Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative)—"Diversity in Action: Bridging Research and Practice" is a brown bag series sponsored by the Chancellor's Diversity Initiative to highlight diversity-related research at Mizzou.
- Diversity Peer Educators (Multicultural Center)— These peer educators lead diversity exploration programs in the FIGs, TRIGs, the Columbia community, and the surrounding Mid Missouri area in different school districts. These diversity exploration activities are based upon the University of Massachusetts Social Justice Education program. For more information contact the Multicultural Center at 573-882-7152 MendozaP@missouri.edu.
- E-mail Partners Program (International Center)—This program provides the opportunity for current students to answer questions that new students may have about MU and Columbia before their arrival.
- Gender Identity Support Group—Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m. in the LGBTQ Resource Center. This group will provide a safe space for the exploration and navigation of non-conforming gender identities. The focus of the group will be on providing support to individuals who seek to integrate their sense of gender identity and/or who identify as transgender or gender queer and face the challenges of navigating a non-comprehending and often hostile world. Any student who is experiencing difficulties related to gender identity, transitioning or finding acceptance/support is an appropriate member for this group. Contact David Tager, PhD, at 573-882-1483 to set up a brief pre-group informational meeting. Sponsored by the LGBTQ Center and MU Student Health Center and covered by your student health fee.
- Global Scholars Program (International Center)—The Global Scholars Program is designed to support University of Missouri faculty members who seek to internationalize their teaching program.
- International Spouses Network (International Center)—This group is designed to help international spouses get more connected to each other and the local community.
- Language Partners Program (LPP) (Women’s Center)—Language Partners Program pairs one native English speaker with one non-native English speaker to practice conversational English. This is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff or community members to learn about another culture while establishing a new friendship.
- MU Community Engagement Project (Office of Service Learning)—The MU Community Engagement project introduces honors and non-honors students to public service and leadership. The program encourages our brightest and most energetic students to use their talents to improve the lives of those around them.
- Multicultural Community Hour (Asian Affairs Center)—A weekly informal, round-table discussion where international students and visiting scholars are invited to interact with American friends in a casual atmosphere. Participation is open to everyone.
- Noel P. Gist Brown Bag Seminar Series (International Center)—This weekly seminar series is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. The seminar is designed to explore the world beyond the borders of the United States and consider the relations of the United States with other countries and regions in the world.
- Pangaea Learning Community (Residential Life)—Pangaea is a thematic housing community program for both international and American students who want to expand their knowledge of other languages and cultures here at Mizzou.
- Religious Discovery Series (Multicultural Center)—This series presents to MU students speakers and panels from minority religious groups of the Columbia community. For more information contact the Multicultural Center at 882-7152 MendozaP@missouri.edu
- Study Abroad (International Center)—The study abroad program challenges students to explore other countries, meet new people, learn about other cultures, history, art and much more. Undergraduate and graduate students who have completed at least one full-time, on campus semester at MU are eligible to study abroad.
- You in Mizzou (Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative)—"You in Mizzou: Exploring Diversity at Mizzou through Dialogue" challenges participants to respectfully discuss their differences and discover their similarities in a safe environment.
