Multicultural Student Services Center Celebrates 55 Years

December 13, 2024

Authored by:

Lisa Conley-Kendzior

When Gianna Cook arrived at the George Washington University as a first-year student, she felt out of place, unsure where she belonged. But a chance interaction changed everything. Sitting outside the Smith Center on her first day, she met a staff member who pointed her toward the university's Multicultural Student Services Center, telling her it could become a space where she would feel at home. That small gesture turned out to be life changing.

"The MSSC was a place where I could go for community, scintillating conversation and a space to just exist fully and freely," Cook, B.A. '23, recalls. Over the next four years, she evolved from a timid first-year student into a bold campus leader, crediting the MSSC for offering an environment where she could thrive. "Having a space that fully embraces one's identity was crucial in my undergraduate experience."

The 1960s civil rights and affirmative action movements aimed to reshape race relations in the United States, with historically marginalized college students driving efforts for equity and inclusion-to be seen and valued on their campuses. GW answered this call to action, led by Black students at the university, by formally establishing the MSSC in 1969, aligning with the national push for desegregation catalyzed by the Adams Order.

Rooted in a commitment to addressing the enduring effects of racial discrimination in higher education and beyond, the MSSC became part of a nationwide wave of university programs designed to increase racial diversity and foster a true sense of belonging for historically marginalized students-a mission it has upheld for 55 years.

As part of the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, the MSSC provides advocacy and structural support for historically marginalized students and student organizations; partners with faculty, staff and alumni; and serves as an integral partner to the D.C. community.

The MSSC remains a home away from home for all historically marginalized undergraduate and graduate students. It offers programming, support, basic needs, academic resources and a space to build community for students of color and the BIPOC community, women, gender-expansive students and the LGBTQIA+ community. Programming in the MSSC focuses on race, ethnicity and culture, and gender and sexuality.

Today, the MSSC's impact stretches beyond campus, creating a ripple effect that shapes the lives of students and strengthens the bonds within GW's diverse community.

Celebrating diversity, building a sense of belonging

Hope Ledford, B.A. '23, fondly remembers the joy and camaraderie she found at the MSSC. One night, the center hosted a community mic night where students shared music, spoken word and other talents.

"The room was alive with energy and connection. At one point, we all ended up singing and dancing together to Rihanna," says Ledford, who's currently pursuing her master's in public policy at GW. "That night encapsulated what the MSSC meant to me: a place where we could be ourselves, support each other and build friendships."

That sense of belonging has stayed with Ledford, influencing her personal growth and approach to leadership in her career.

"The MSSC taught me empathy, active listening and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives," explains Ledford, now a policy analyst at Chamber of Progress, a tech industry coalition devoted to a progressive society. "Professionally, I strive to create inclusive environments where everyone feels heard, valued and empowered to contribute their best, authentic selves."

Elizabeth Vaquera, executive director of GW's Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, underscores the MSSC's critical role in serving underrepresented students at GW.

"Our students often face challenges navigating a predominantly white institution," she explains. "The MSSC offers a vital space where they can find community and truly feel they belong."

Vaquera points to events like Latin Heritage Celebrationas notable examples of how the MSSC partners with other campus groups to celebrate diversity and amplify student voices.

"It's crucial to meet students where they are," she says, "and the MSSC is a place where students can feel at home, celebrated and supported, helping them thrive both academically and personally."

Jordan Shelby West, associate vice provost for diversity, equity and community engagement, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the MSSC in fostering an inclusive environment for all students.

"The MSSC is the heartbeat of GW for so many students, particularly Black, Brown, queer, women and gender-expansive communities," West says. "The center is a place where staff meet students where they dream, and believe in all of their possibilities.

"We often hear that the MSSC is a reason students stay at GW and integral in them making it to graduation," she adds. "Students experience culturally relevant programming, gain access to gender-affirming resources, find connections with staff who share their identities, and engage in challenging, meaningful and timely dialogue."

Inspiring change, creating community

For Cook, the MSSC was more than just a community space-it was a place of transformation. Now a special education teacher, Cook carries forward the values she learned at the MSSC.

"Listening with empathy and openness was a central theme," she says, "and it's a mindset that allows you to engage with anyone with kindness and a willingness to learn."

Grace Henry, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, reflects on her time at the MSSC from 1999 to 2004, a period of national transition from Black cultural centers to more inclusive, multicultural spaces.

"Back then, we were shifting from a Black cultural center model to a multicultural space," she says. "It was about coalition building and recognizing that while we have unique histories, there's power in shared experiences."

As a multicultural coordinator and unofficial assistant director, Henry played a pivotal role in launching important initiatives such as the buddy program, which paired incoming students of color with upperclassmen mentors to cultivate a sense of belonging. She also helped create student coordinator positions focused on specific groups, such as Asian outreach, all within a broader multicultural framework.

"It wasn't about prioritizing one identity over another," she explains. "It was about addressing both the shared experiences and the unique needs of each group."

Today, the center has grown into a more organized structure, with dedicated staff supporting various identities including race, ethnicity and culture, and gender and sexuality. The center is committed to seeing and supporting the whole student from an intersectional lens.

"It's all part of the ongoing evolution to meet the needs of students," Henry says, "and to create an environment where everyone feels valued."

A home away from home

In early October, as part of Alumni and Families Weekend, the MSSC hosted alumni, current students and families in a celebration of the center's 55 years of providing a "home away from home" for students with underrepresented identities at GW. Attendees made connections, reminisced, swapped stories and celebrated the center's rich history while looking toward the future.

One attendee was Edward Chesnut, M.E. '88, who recalled frequenting the MSSC for social events and speakers on a variety of subjects.

"Good, positive experiences," he said. "Interesting matters were discussed," which sparked his curiosity to learn more about the topics.

After graduation, Chesnut would remain an integral part of the GW community; among the several offices he held was the first-ever African American president of the GW Alumni Association (GWAA). In 1998, the university awarded him its Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Throughout, the MSSC has remained a touchstone, refreshed by new initiatives and the changing student body.

"It's always evolving," Chesnut said.

In a sign of that evolution and continuity, several alumni attendees at the Alumni and Families Weekend event were accompanied by their own children, marking a generational thread that ties the MSSC's legacy to the present and future. Toddlers, their laughter filling the air as they danced to Stevie Wonder, clambered onto the plush couches that define the center's welcoming space. Meanwhile, older children and current GW students engaged with the MSSC's legacy more directly, learning from the center's history while envisioning their role in shaping its future.

These moments reflected the MSSC's enduring mission as a hub for belonging and growth, a place where diverse identities converge in mutual celebration and support. It wasn't merely a celebration of the past-it was a vibrant tableau of how the center continues to cultivate a sense of home, bridging generations and inspiring new connections.

Junior Sophie Mansuri, a political communications student, attended with her mother, Nilu Medhane, B.S. '91. Mansuri, a member of the Iranian Students Association and the Ethiopian-Eritrean Students Association, said she'd only recently started visiting the MSSC but now goes often. "All my friends are here," she said. "We do our homework together, and they have fun events, like on Wednesdays there's a speaker and then there's food."

While Medhane didn't remember visiting the MSSC often when she was a student in the late 1980s and early 1990s, she was an active member of the International Students Society, which "gave [her] a home" among others who were also adjusting to American culture.

"It just goes with what I believe in-we're different, but we're also all the same, and we look for that likeness in each other," Medhane said.

Entering a new era

Under the leadership of Vanice L. Antrum, MSSC's new director, the center is poised to build on its history while charting a new course for the future. Antrum brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges students face, having experienced firsthand the importance of multicultural spaces during her own time as an undergraduate.

"Having a space where you're seen and heard makes all the difference, and I want MSSC to be that space for GW students," Antrum shares. Her vision for the center includes creating dynamic spaces that reflect the evolving needs of students while honoring the MSSC's rich history. "Whether it's through programming, partnerships or the spaces we offer, our mission is to make every student feel like they belong here."

The center's team is instrumental in fulfilling this mission. This fall, Hailey Williams, program coordinator for race, ethnicity and culture, and Uwaila Stewart, program coordinator for gender and sexuality, joined the staff. They work alongside Senior Student Program Coordinator Elise Greenfield, now in her third year at GW. Graduate Assistant Amaya Bullock, who is in her second year at the center, and a dedicated group of 10 returning undergraduate students also contribute to the center's success.

In addition to expanding its team, the MSSC also expanded its physical space. In the summer of 2023, the center permanently relocated from the 2127 G Street townhouse to the fifth floor of the University Student Center. This new space is designed to offer greater visibility and accessibility, allowing the MSSC to better serve the community.

"The new location places us at the heart of campus, making it easier for students to find and connect with us," Antrum says. "It's a space that reflects our commitment to being a welcoming and accessible hub where students can drop in and feel at home anytime they need."

As the MSSC celebrates its 55th anniversary, it continues to be an integral part of GW, from hosting events like Gratitude Dinnerand the Block Party, to supporting students in hosting heritage month celebrations and providing guidance for students navigating their identities.

Ledford envisions the MSSC's legacy as a source of inspiration for future generations. "My hope is that the MSSC continues to grow its reach and impact, serving as a beacon of light in an often dark and challenging world," she says. "It's a space where students can find belonging, empowerment and the courage to be themselves."

Cook agrees, adding, "The MSSC's story is one of advocacy, history and community. It's up to us to keep telling that story and to ensure it remains a home for students who come after us."

Vanice Antrum Leads GW's Multicultural Student Services Center into a New Era