Intercultural Affairs

Our Mission

Intercultural Affairs (ICA) is committed to engaging and empowering students by centering identity, appreciating and celebrating culture, and contextualizing individual stories in a diverse and global society. We believe students should be able to be their whole, authentic selves, while also appreciating and valuing others’ ability to do the same. Intercultural Affairs offers a variety of student-centered co-curricular experiences that encourage students to develop their own commitments to reflect, connect, explore, engage, and strategize as emerging community leaders.

ICA Learning Outcomes

Students will recognize individual behaviors and identify techniques to recall resilience against various forms of oppression. (Reflect)
Students will cultivate a sense of belonging within Grinnell’s communities by building meaningful relationships with peers, staff, faculty, and alumni. (Connect)
Students will seek diverse forms of knowledge and think curiously about identity, culture, and the global context of social justice issues to explore their authentic self. (Explore)
Students will demonstrate inclusive communication skills in discussions about the institutions and systems they will encounter throughout their lives. (Engage)
Students will practice strategies to promote actionable social change in pursuit of a justice- and equity-minded society. (Strategize)

Cultural Centers

Grinnell College’s cultural centers seek to enliven the mission and learning outcomes of Intercultural Affairs through intentional identity exploration opportunities. Students engaged with the cultural centers will gain exposure to intersectional and inclusive offerings that center community, leadership, intercultural understanding, and culturally-minded wellness.

Conney M. Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC)

The BCC seeks to unify students across the African Diaspora by centering Black voices and experiences of a global and intersectional community. The BCC aspires to build individual agency and collective understanding that contributes to a sense of belonging and tradition.

Students painting the football field with the Pride Honor G

Stonewall Resource Center (SRC)

The SRC fosters and celebrates LGBTQIA+ community at Grinnell College by actively facilitating a nurturing and affirming environment. The SRC seeks to create pathways for authentic self-expression and intentional coalition building for students.

Students outside playing a lawn game during PCPOP

Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP)

PCPOP is a year-long program designed for first-year students from historically marginalized identities and backgrounds, including but not limited to, students of color, first-generation students, students with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ students. PCPOP creates opportunities for emerging student leaders to express their authentic selves, acknowledge the realities of others, and recognize the impact of the environment they are in.

Students at Grinnell after a performance at ISO cultural show

Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC)

A number of student cultural organizations allow students to celebrate their varied identities, develop as leaders, and provide cultural enrichment on campus. These groups educate the campus and greater Grinnell community and provide cultural grounding.