Jovin Fernandez
To kick off the new year and start to the spring term, Jovin Fernandez, the inaugural director of the new Multicultural Center, shares her hopes for the center and what it will mean to the Stockton community.
My hope is that the Multicultural Center will help shift the campus culture so that NO students will have to question or doubt if they belong on Stockton's campus. Instead, they will hold their head high and confidently state, "This is home, and this is where I belong!"
Serving as the inaugural director of Stockton's brand new Multicultural Center is truly an honor. I have the privilege of cultivating an environment that promotes community, collaboration, critical thinking and continued learning outside the classroom. The Multicultural Center will be a vibrant community where students of color will feel seen, safe, valued and validated.
Additionally, the center will amplify the voices and experiences of underrepresented students by establishing a safe and brave space where they can be their authentic selves and thrive. In doing so, students will have additional support to excel academically, socially and emotionally.
When I think of diversity, equality, inclusion, belonging, and social justice (DEIBSJ), I am reminded that the presence of diversity is not enough! Rather, we need to focus on inclusion for ALL students. Once we consistently practice inclusion, it will result in belonging.
Accomplishing this goal is important for our students with historically marginalized identities and the entire campus community because we are all impacted by these efforts. Advancing DEIBSJ is not just the responsibility of cultural centers, student affairs staff, cultural organizations or people of color. It is the responsibility of ALL of us! Collectively, WE ALL have a role to play to help make a difference.
I am excited to see how the Multicultural Center will help create a more inclusive community, enhance students' sense of belonging and retain our students of color, so they persist to graduation. This will be accomplished through building respect and understanding for others, lots of love and laughter, and ongoing learning.
My hope is that the Multicultural Center will help shift the campus culture so that NO students will have to question or doubt if they belong on Stockton's campus. Instead, they will hold their head high and confidently state, "This is home, and this is where I belong!"
As we work toward this goal, I'd like to leave everyone with these words,
Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; It is making a new space, A better space for everyone."
I look forward to the positive impact the Multicultural Center will have and how it will enhance the Stockton experience for our students of color.
In addition to being the first director of the Multicultural Center, Fernandez is pursuing her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership here at Stockton University.
