Cultural Leadership Council (CLC)

Background

McDaniel students have developed a variety of organizations that recognize and celebrate all forms of diversity. These organizations play an important role in educating and developing awareness in the McDaniel Community. The student multicultural organizations are recognized by the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) and advised by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). The groups primarily function independently with a few collaboratively planned events each semester.

Cultural Leadership Council (CLC)

The Cultural Leadership Council (CLC) will be comprised of the current multicultural student organizations. The council will gather to discuss educational program ideas and strategies to increase collaboration among the groups. The CLC will also be a sounding board for other students from underrepresented communities to address concerns/issues that they may have.

Each of the cultural organizations listed below may appoint one member to the CLC each year, for a one-year appointment. Nominations must be made by the Friday of the second week of classes in the fall. Representatives may serve up to 2 one-year appointments on the CLC.
The CLC will meet bi-weekly and will conduct meetings using Roberts Rules of Order.
The meetings will serve as opportunities for the members of the organizations to discuss topics and voice concerns related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The CLC will have an elected executive board comprised of a president, vice-president, secretary and student visitor to the McDaniel Board of Trustees. A constitution and bylaws will be drafted by the CLC Advisor, reviewed by the members of the inaugural executive board and then approved by the Dean of Students.
The CLC will be advised by the Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

The following student organizations may appoint a representative to the CLC, assuming their organization has been recognized by OSE and has been active for a minimum of three consecutive years:

Aaja Nachle: Aaja Nachle (means Let's Dance in Hindi) Aaja Nachle focuses on teaching and learning Bollywood styles of dance including, but not limited to, Bhangra, Filmi Bollywood Fusion, "Item Dance", and Dandiya Raas!
Africa’s Legacy: This leadership works to educate students, faculty, and staff through cultural events and experiences. African diasporic cultures are emphasized but all cultures are welcome.
American Sign Language Club: The ASL Club focuses on providing a safe and fun learning environment for students who would like to practice or learn about Deaf Culture, ASL, etc.
Arabic Club (Al-Nadi Al-‘Arabi): The Arabic Club aims to expand the awareness of the Arab World through cultural events and biweekly discussion groups.
Asian Community Coalition (ACC): The mission of ACC is to promote awareness of Asian cultures at McDaniel and the surrounding community.
Belly Dancing Club: Belly Dancing Club was created to introduce the art of belly dance to the college community. They learn moves from an instructor as well as basic self-taught moves.
Black Student Union (BSU): The purpose of BSU is to promote the recognition and involvement of African American students at McDaniel College with the intention of creating a strong voice on campus and to make an impact on the decisions regarding students of the College Community.
Curl Friends: Curl Friends purpose is to spread awareness and knowledge about natural hair. They host an annual Natural Hair Conference for students and community members at McDaniel College.
GIRL: The purpose of GIRL is to open a space for Black women and other women of color in order to realize their presence at McDaniel College.
Hispano-Latinx Alliance (HLA): HLA is dedicated to giving Hispanic students a chance to express themselves and their heritage in a comfortable environment, and also to educate the McDaniel campus about Hispanic culture.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC): LULAC is a nationally affiliated student group. The Mission of LULAC is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States. The McDaniel chapter is an leadership comprised of student leaders that seek to make a difference and leave a lasting impact through their advocacy efforts aimed at advancing the rights and issues that affect the community.
Levels of Excellence: is a modeling/Runway leadership based on the empowerment of black excellence and lgbtq+ unity.
Jewish Student Union (JSU): is a foundation for Jewish life on McDaniel College’s campus which provides opportunities for Jewish and non-Jewish students to explore and celebrate Jewish culture and identity through student programming, hot-topic discussions, religious services, and social events.
Muslim Student Association (MSA): The McDaniel College Muslim Student’s Association will focus on providing a place of peace, safety and community for all students, no matter their background; to the best of our ability for every member; strengthen the brotherhood and sisterhood of students through Islam; and find success both on campus and off by improving our faith in the Quran and Sunnah (teaching, deeds and saying of Prophet Muhammad).
McDaniel College’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA): The purpose of Allies is to serve as a bridge between the LGBTQ communities at McDaniel College, and as a constructive forum where members of the McDaniel community can express themselves without binding claim to sexual orientation, thereby working toward the greater goal of the UNDERSTANDING and ACCEPTANCE of LGBTQ individuals in society.
Palabras to Words: Palabras to Words (P2W) is a group of volunteer McDaniel College students committed to supporting English Language Learning (ELL). The students of Palabras to Words volunteer their time in order to work with our students and members of the Carroll County Community.
Phenomenal Women: The leadership was created to provide an open and safe environment for anyone who identifies as a woman and is open to all women of different demographics to come together and redirect cultural discourses surrounding women as they develop their identities.
Polish and Glam: Polish and Glam seeks to promote creativity through artistic projects and teach, explore and practice three skills including beauty (makeup & self-care), modeling and fashion exploration which in turn should boost women’s confidence, self-esteem, and create a platform to express their inner divas.
Sister to Sister: The purpose of this leadership is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for women of color to build essential skills and knowledge for personal and professional success.
Students of Caribbean Ancestry: The purpose of this club is to provide a safe, welcoming space for students of Caribbean descent to share experiences, to inform the McDaniel community about Caribbean culture, and allow people of all backgrounds to participate in discussions and events regarding topics that involve the Caribbean region/culture.
The Female Gaze: The Female Gaze is a club focused on streaming films directed by women in order to provide audiences with a more diverse look at the world through a camera lens.

Divine Nine Organizations:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated: Is the first Greek Lettered Sorority established by African-American college women. It was founded on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. The McDaniel Chapter was founded November 2016.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated: Is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American males that was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated: is an international, historically Black Greek lettered fraternity and member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc was founded on November 11, 1911 at Howard University, and is stated purpose has been to attract and build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. The McDaniel Chapter was founded on April 2, 2016.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated: is an international, historically Black Greek-lettered sorority and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Zeta Phi Beta was founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University based on the four principles: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. The McDaniel Chapter was founded on May 1, 2013.