ISSUED: 10 September 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Diversity for Equity Grant Program has renewed a $5,000 grant to Shepherd University to support events and social justice initiatives coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA).
“The Multicultural Student Affairs team is honored and excited to be presented with this opportunity.” said Crystal Smiles-Tharp, coordinator for multicultural and accessibility services. “The grant will provide MSA with the opportunity to foster awareness, appreciation, and celebration of various social identities and cultures, enabling meaningful dialogue surrounding issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice.”
Smiles-Tharpe said grant money will be used on programming that helps build cultural and identity awareness, cultivates appreciation for others, celebrates differences, and builds a community of acceptance at Shepherd. That, she said, will help MSA prepare students to live, work, and succeed in a globally diverse society by expanding on a broad range of social justice initiatives and will enhance Shepherd’s education and outreach programs that support how students, faculty, staff, and community constituents engage one another.
MSA works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and promotes fairness and equity.
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