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ODEI Programs

The ODEI works with different student organizations to support and plan different cultural or religious events on campus. Along with supporting these programs, the ODEI host affinity spaces for marginalized students, speaker series, and workshops to foster and promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

ODEI Programs

ODEI Programs

The ODEI works with different student organizations to support and plan different cultural or religious events on campus. Along with supporting these programs, the ODEI host affinity spaces for marginalized students, speaker series, and workshops to foster and promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Programs Include:

  • ODEI Cultural Speaker Series
  • Green Table Talk
  • ODEI Book club
  • Workshops and Trainings
Dr. Richard Smith and Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu at McDaniel Convocation 2-16-22

Celebrating History and Heritage Months ODEI CULTURAL SPEAKER SERIES Community Events

The ODEI Cultural Speaker Series is a program sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the aim of highlighting the stories of marginalized groups in accordance with the different history and heritage months throughout the year. This series hopes to honor the various history and heritage months along with educating the community on various topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Africa's Legacy student organization at the involvement fair September 2021

Celebrating Diversity CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND DINNERS

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is proud to sponsor and support cultural student organizations and their events. In the past, the office has helped support celebrations such as the Africa’s Legacy and Hispanic Latinx Alliance Dinners. This semester, the ODEI was proud to sponsor Haus of Excellence's first annual ball. The office offers resources, support and more to students and organizations that want to celebrate and honor their various identities.

community relations page header

Celebrating Baltimore City The Edge Experience

The Edge Experience is a mentorship program for first-year students from Baltimore City Public schools. During the summer, first-year students are invited to attend McDaniel Local. It is an exciting summer program that blends orientation and academic vision-setting. At McDaniel Local, students will spend time on campus before the start of the semester, make friends, meet mentors, and get connected to Westminster community.

The Experience:

During the academic year, students are required to attend monthly meetings and periodic social functions. They also are paired with a upper-class student mentor, to give advice and support to navigate their first year of college. Faculty and Staff also assists in their development and overall success at the college. As a member of the Edge Experience program you will be given a brand new Under Armor backpack full of school supplies.

Program Goals:

  • Connect: By participating in the program, students establish a connection with their student mentors, the campus community and the surrounding community.
  • Support: Students are provided with support from student and staff to provide them with a well-rounded experience academically and socially.
  • Engage: McDaniel College offers many opportunities to be engaged. As a part of this program, the students are expected to attend programs, events, and community service programs throughout the academic year.
  • Retain: Provide students with support to be successful and complete their degree.

Community Events

In an effort to support the community, and lead the culture, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts and supports several events that are open to and centered in the community. These events are open to all community members. 

Film Festivals

This semester, our DEI Faculty Fellow, Dr. Erin Watley, Assoc. Professor in McDaniel College’s Communication & Cinema Department, hosted the first ever Black American Film Festival at Carroll Arts Center. This film festival celebrates Black storytelling while offering intersectional and unique perspectives of Black experiences. This film festival is free and open to the community.  

Learn more about the Black American Film Festival

Juneteenth

Westminster Pride Festival

Supporting Faith Traditions

McDaniel College Sign with pink flowers

Coming Together Interfaith Events

Interfaith Celebration & Service : The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosts several interfaith events each semester in hopes to include all those of diverse religious, spiritual and ethical beliefs.  

The Interfaith Celebration: this is a semesterly celebration hosted by the ODEI in collaboration with the cultural and religious student organizations with the goal of deepening individuals understanding of other’s faith and value.  

The Interfaith Service: The ODEI and the Associate Provost for Equity and Belonging host one Interfaith Service a year to foster a sense of community and belonging. This year, the Interfaith Service will take place on Parent’s Weekend.  

Interfaith Community Dinners:  The ODEI hosts several semesterly community dinners for all employees to bring together McDaniel staff and faculty and provide a space for discussions.  

Little Baker

Sacred Spaces The Meditation and Prayer Room

In addition to the different chapels on campus, an Interfaith Meditation and Prayer Room is also available to all students, faculty and staff of any religious or non-religious identity for prayer, reflection and meditation. The room is open every day from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The room provides Prayer Rugs, a library with various books (Quran, Bible, Torah), along with other religious/spiritual resources.  To learn more about this room, reach out to the office for more information! 

Programs

 The ODEI works with different student organizations to support and plan different cultural or religious events on campus. Along with supporting these programs, the ODEI host affinity spaces for marginalized students, speaker series, and workshops to foster and promote diversity, equity and inclusion. 

A student sits on the floor in Hoover Library between the aisle of book shelves.

ODEI Book club

Green Terror

Green Table Talk

Reverand Nontombi Naomi Tutu meets with students after the Black History Month Convocation

Speakers

McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD, 21157
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