Multnomah takes practical steps to foster an inclusive environment that engages diverse cultures and backgrounds. Learn more about our inclusive development initiatives like the Multicultural Center, Mosaic Month, and more.
Diverse culture, one community
We aspire to be an educational institution where all students can flourish and have equal opportunity for success. We seek to treat all people with love, respect, dignity, and fairness. We affirm the uniqueness of each person regarding age, race, nationality, gender, socio-economic status, ability, or faith denomination. We are all members of the body of Christ, and our unity in diversity brings glory to God.
Inclusive Initiatives
Multicultural Center
The Multicultural Center exists to foster opportunities for underrepresented persons to feel a sense of belonging in the Multnomah community and explore their authentic selves where safety, diversity, and God are honored. The Multicultural Center is located at 615 NE 87th Ave. The center sits on the east edge of campus in the light-green house (formerly known as the Teacher Ed House). The student entry is accessible from the heart of campus, through the back door of the center.
The center is open to students Mon-Sat from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Voices Scholarship
The Voices Scholarship is a program that develops students of color and their allies — known as Voices Scholars — into leaders on the MU campus. This is accomplished by mentoring, providing leadership opportunities, and spreading awareness of diversity and inclusion efforts from student-driven platforms. The Scholars participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives including events, workshops, training sessions, and more. Students may apply online like they would for any other scholarship. Learn more about the scholarship.
Mosaic Month
Mosaic Month is an annual, month-long series of events meant to spark critical thinking and dialogue around issues of diversity, inclusion, cultural identity, and justice on the Multnomah University campus. We desire to stir conversations that promote equity, understanding, and viewing diversity through a biblical lens.
In the past years, we have done Mosaic Weeks, with it being transitioned to a month-long event this year. Take a look at our previous Mosaic Weeks:
Contact the Multicultural Engagement Team
NAE Statement Against Racism
The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) recently shared a statement that we, as a university, embrace and support:
The NAE laments the recurring trauma experienced by African Americans. We condemn racism and the violent abuse of power, call for justice for victims and their families and exhort churches to combat attitudes and systems that perpetuate racism. We are grateful for law enforcement officers who honorably serve and protect our communities, and urge our members to uphold them in prayer. Christians believe that racism is an affront to the value of individuals created in God’s image and to the divinely designed diversity of redeemed humanity. This denial of personhood and belonging runs contrary to the peace and unity that God intended in the beginning and that the Bible depicts as our destiny.
Racism appears in beliefs or practices that distinguish or elevate one race over others. When accompanied and sustained by imbalances of power, prejudice moves beyond individual relationships to institutional practices. Such racial injustice is the systemic perpetuation of racism. Its existence has unfairly benefited some and burdened others simply due to the color of their skin and the cultural associations based upon perceptions of race.
No race or ethnicity is greater or more valuable than another. Evangelicals believe that the good news of Jesus Christ has the power to break down racial and ethnic barriers (Ephesians 2:14–18). Racism should not only be addressed after tragic events. Our communities of faith must pursue sustained efforts in this labor of love and justice.
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