Randolph’s diversity office adds gathering space, fellows program

Randolph College is rebranding its Office of Diversity, Identity, Culture and Inclusion and Center for Identity, Culture, and Inclusion to better reflect the function it serves on campus.

The newly named Intercultural Center remains focused on bringing people together.

“With this new name, we are honing in on the College’s commitment to creating opportunities and spaces for people from different perspectives to interact,” said Chief Diversity Officer Charles E. Gibson III. “It’s about facilitating those interactions.”

A new area inside the center—the Hermina W. Hendricks Gathering Place, named for the first director of multicultural student services at the College—is now available to students.

Gibson envisions it as a place for students to hold club meetings, get together with friends, or simply relax in a safe space.

“I really view our unit as almost being the front porch of the institution in a lot of ways,” he said. “It’s a space that is supposed to be inviting for everyone. If you seek a place where you can just sit and be, or have a chat with someone you’ve never met before, this is it.”

Randolph is also introducing the Eugenia Livings Welburn ’95 Fellows Program, in honor of an alumna and trustee who has supported the office over the years. Two students will be selected to serve as fellows each year. The students will receive a stipend and provide assistance with the Intercultural Center’s programming and events.

Gibson will also be collaborating with Randolph’s 2024-25 Presidential Fellow, Suzanne Bessenger, to re-energize spiritual life on campus for students.

This fall, Intercultural Center events will include a Spiritual Life Fair, featuring local faith leaders, and a town hall on belief.

“This is really the beginning of that work,” Gibson said. “We want everyone to feel comfortable expressing their beliefs at Randolph College.”