Multicultural Affairs: University of Idaho

On, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Idaho State Board of Education passed a resolution on ‘DEI Ideology’; as a result, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) will be closing at the beginning of the spring 2025 semester.

The OMA family wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the unconditional support and love the office has received over the last five decades. Thank you to our students, alumni, staff, faculty, former employees, donors, campus partners, and community for the dedication, passion, trust, knowledge, and sacrifice that made our University of Idaho campus a more welcoming one.

OMA and our Equity and Diversity Unit (EDU) worked tirelessly to provide a safe place for all. We strived to create a university environment where all students could receive a multicultural and diverse education to be better prepared to enter an ever-changing global society and effectively and meaningfully create relationships and solutions to world problems.

Alongside gaining these skills, students could learn about and share their beautiful cultures, contributions, and practices. Our multicultural student organizations have and will continue to share cultural celebrations that enrich and create a vibrant UI culture. We hope the community works to support our student organizations in these efforts.

Additionally, OMA and EDU helped contribute to environments of academic excellence by providing intentional culturally responsive services to our diverse communities. Through this model, conceptualized by Dr. Yolanda Bisbee, we increased recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation rates. We are endlessly proud of our Diversity Scholar cohorts and their legacy of academic excellence.

While the office will close, the memories and impact will remain. We know the next few years will bring many challenges to our communities. In these times, it is of upmost importance that we take care of one another. Please continue to support each other, and do not forget you have a large community here for you.

With love and gratitude,
The Office of Multicultural Affairs

Diversity Scholar cohorts through the last ten years. 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

2024 Día de los Mu***os celebration 🥀

2024 Diversity Scholar Leadership Retreat ⛰️🏞️🌿

2024 EDU Welcome Back Barbecue 🌭🥤🍔

Fall 2024 Diversity Scholar cohort and their families during orientation 💛🖤

A few Fall 2024 memories! 🍂

Happy Holidays from the Office of Multicultural Affairs!We hope you enjoy quality time with your loved ones. Safe travels! 💛🖤

Interested in creating an ofrenda/altar for your loved ones for our Dia de los Mu***os celebration? Don’t forget to pick up a packet at the OMA (TLC 230) front desk! You can create your own ofrenda, or you can get a group of friends together to create. Awards will be given to first and second place in the individual and group categories. Packets are due next Friday, November 1!

Join UNITY & OMA this Saturday, November 2 at 6pm in the Pitman Center International Ballroom for our annual Day of the Dead celebration! This engaging and interactive event includes traditional games, crafts, and more. Interested in creating an altar at the event? Check out our second slide! Packets available at the OMA front desks.

Join the IPO and OMA for IPO’s next installment of their International Tea Social! Enjoy hibiscus (Jamaica) tea and create a craft in honor of Day of the Dead. Open to all. 🌺🧵

Idaho high school juniors and seniors, have you applied for Vandal Challenge? Applications are being accepted through October 28 at 5PM (PST). Vandal Challenge is a three-day leadership conference hosted at the University of Idaho. Transportation, housing, and food are all provided! Apply online at: www.uidaho.edu/oma. Link in bio!

It looks like there was some issues with our registration link! Our apologies. This link should be functioning: https://go.uidaho.edu/latinxhistory

Join us next Thursday, October 10 at 5pm PST! Dr. Eulalia Gallegos Buitron, Adjunct Faculty in the College of Letters Arts and Social Sciences, will deliver a presentation on the history of Mexican migrant communities in Idaho. Zoom registration required: https://go.uidaho.edu/latinxhistory

Please join us next Tuesday, October 15 at 6pm in the Bruce Pitman Vandal Ballroom for our 2024 Latinx Heritage Month keynote address!

Thomas Valles, whose story was portrayed in the 2015 Disney film, McFarland USA, will share his inspiring story of work ethic and perseverance. We can’t wait! ✨

Join us next Thursday, October 10 at 5pm PST! Dr. Eulalia Gallegos Buitron, Adjunct Faculty in the College of Letters Arts and Social Sciences, will deliver a presentation on the history of Mexican migrant communities in Idaho. Zoom registration required: https://go.uidaho.edu/latinxhistory

Join in kicking off our Latinx Heritage Month events with cultura y pintura - a painting and culture night! Come by next Thursday, September 26 at 5pm in the IRIC Atrium (first floor) and take a break from homework to paint, sip on aguas frescas, and be with community! All supplies are provided, but limited. Please RSVP to secure your spot: tinyurl.com/OELApaint

Please join us in celebrating Latinx Heritage Month at the University of Idaho! This year’s theme is Nuestras Raíces son Nuestro Poder. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!🌵🌻🌵

Please join us as we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month at the University of Idaho! Keep an eye out for a full list of our upcoming events. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🌻🌵🌻