06/27/2024
Dear Utah Tech,
With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to the Center for Inclusion & Belonging, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and lastly the Multicultural Inclusion Student Association (MISA). A beacon of diversity, equity, and unity, the center has been more than just a space on campus; it has been a home where every voice found a listening ear.
The closure of the CIB and the LGBTQ+ RC marks the end of an era defined by tireless efforts to foster a sense of belonging and to celebrate the vast cultural identities that enrich our university. We began in the late 2000s as the Multicultural Diversity Center, then the Multicultural & Inclusion Center, and finally the past two years as the CIB.
To our incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters—I want to give a heartfelt “thank you” for your dedication and passion. Your efforts have made a lasting difference, and your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment will not be forgotten.
The center’s activities, student clubs, and leadership programs like the Multicultural Inclusion Student Association (MISA) have been pivotal in shaping a more inclusive future, one filled with promise and understanding. The closure of these Centers does not diminish the impact it has had on our lives. The friendships formed, the battles fought, and the victories won here will forever remain in our hearts.
As we navigate this transition, let us carry forward the legacy of the Center for Inclusion & Belonging and MISA. Though the physical space may close, the memories it created will forever be a part of Utah Tech’s foundation.
Finally, as we embrace the future, we are filled with excitement for the new changes that lie ahead. The closure of the Center for Inclusion & Belonging, MISA, and the LGBTQ+ RC is not an end but a transformation, an opportunity for us to reimagine how we can continue to support each other and create belonging. I will be moving into Student Government as the Director of Student Belonging, helping to guide more students to create a place for everyone. I encourage you to take the initiative, to create your own spaces where voices can be heard and ideas can flourish.
In solidarity and with deepest gratitude, Mikey Nelson, Director of the CIB, and Advisor of MISA.
