Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA): Overview
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) located in the School of Education seeks to establish productive relationships among all students at the School of Education. Our staff embraces the concepts of diversity and multiculturalism as a way of life as well as opposing any action that would damage chances for ethnic coexistence. We are firmly committed to building a strong sense of community and collegiality within the School of Education. In order to accomplish its mission of service, the OMSA serves a variety of functions at the School of Education.
The OMSA mission is multifaceted and there are a number of ways that staff accomplishes what they set out to do each year. The mission is accomplished mainly by serving as a key resource center for the School of Education at-large and interested persons from the campus community who are interested about pursuing a degree in education. This is accomplished by providing a wide spectrum of opportunities for School of Education members to interact with each other; by providing numerous activities that can serve to mentor and nurture students; and by helping with the transition into University life or reaching the final goal of graduation.
In all, the mission is accomplished on the basis of genuine commitment to serve the needs of a growing number of constituents, as well as to retain and nurture students through the oftentimes difficult passages of campus life. It is a mission ingrained in a deep and well-founded desire to provide a conducive environment for not only the academic success of students of color, but for all who matriculate at the School of Education. It is in this manner that the OMSA advances the principles underlying diversity and multiculturalism on this campus.
Goals
The primary goals for OMSA are:
- To ensure the retention and successful matriculation and transition of students into University life, as well as through graduation, by providing support activities, focus groups, workshops and seminars.
- To continue "focus groups" activities in order to identify issues of critical importance to our undergraduate and graduate student populations.
- To establish a comfortable place for students to meet and feel welcome, regardless of race or ethnic group.
- To provide activities that foster supportive environments.
- To serve as a key Resource Center for students, faculty, and staff of the School of Education.
- To continue the efforts of identifying issues pertinent to the retention and success of students of color, and work toward resolution of problems so that services ultimately do improve the quality of the overall School environment for students.
Activities:
OMSA sponsors a variety of functions and participates in several programs such as writing workshops, scholarship and funding seminars, focus groups, Graduate Information Day, and MLK Jr. Children's Day Program. We look forward to collaborating throughout the year with the following organization: Graduate Affairs Committee, School of Education-Graduate Student Community Organization (GSCO), Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR), School of Education Social Justice and Educational Equity Committee (SJEE), MLK Jr. Symposium Planning Committee, Commencement Committee, Kappa Delta Pi and others.
