Annual Nikkomo Celebration (I Give Away)
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
6-9pm
Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center

Nikkomo is an annual Narragansett celebration started by the Nipmuc which is also celebrated by some southern New England tribes.  The gathering involves gift giving signifying the days when those who had the most gave to those who had the least so that the entire community was cared for equally.

Refreshments provided!  Everyone’s welcome!

Wheelchair accessible!

 

YKCC Hosts Yuri Kochiyama: Passion for Justice Film Screening & Community Discussion

By:  Wei Cai, '20

AMHERST – Students and community gathered together on Thursday night at the Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center for a screening of Yuri Kochiyama: A Passion for Justice and a discussion of multicultural values following the film.The event, which was sponsored by the Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center (YKCC) and the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success, was moderated by Prof. Richard T. Chu, a Five-College History professor. 

Chu kicked off the screening by providing context on the movie and he explained that Kochiyama was an activist from the 60s. “I hope this inspires you,” said Chu in regards to the film. “How important not just inter but intra ethnic solidarity [is].”With the screening underway, Kochiyama’s voice filled the room alongside imagery of activism. “There’s more community in our lives than we think,” said Kochiyama in the film. Read more

 

UMass Amazing Race Takes Over Downtown Amherst

By:  Wei Cai, '20

Self-named team, “Lauren’s Bishes,” took home first place at UMass Amherst’s Amazing Race – coming in 12 minutes ahead of the second place team.

AMHERST – Some 96 students between 32 teams descended upon the town of Amherst, MA on Friday evening, vying to be the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s next Amazing Race winner. The event, sponsored by the UMass Police Department and the university’s Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success in conjunction with the Men and Masculinities Center, promoted a safe, fun and educational night out with friends. 
Read more ...

 

CMASS is seeking to hire 4 Undergraduate Fellows for the 4 Cultural Centers. 
Under the supervision of a graduate assistant, selected Fellows will engage in archival research to: 

1.  Analyze factors that led to the establishments of the cultural centers on campus.

2. Create and present a visual project that will enhance he cultural environment of the cultural center that is the object of the research.  Read more.

 

 

Latinx Heritage Month Community Building Dinner
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
5:30-7:30pm
Student Union, Cape Cod Lounge

To celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, the Latin American Cultural Center is hosting a community building dinners where student leaders of the HJispanic diaspora come together to identify common values, design dialogues, and promote and strenthen collaborations.

 

Student Care Supply Closets for Students

Student Affairs and Campus Life now operates five Student Care Supply Closets across campus to provide free toiletries and household items to students who are facing economic insecurity and/or an unexpected financial emergency. Our hope is that access to these items will help students facing difficult decisions about every day expenses.

If you are a current student and need to access toiletries and/or household items, visit one of the Student Care Supply Closets locations listed below and a staff member will be able to assist you.  Read more..

 

150 Days Until W.E.B. Du Bois 150th Birthday
By:  Olivia Laramie
September 29, 2017

W.E.B. Du Bois, the namesake of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Du Bois library and African American scholar, writer and activist, was born on February 23, 1868. Du Bois was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard and his dissertation, “The Suppression of the African Slave Trade” was published by the Harvard University Press. Du Bois accomplished a great deal in his lifetime. He taught at various universities in the United States, published a book, founded the Niagara Movement, worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), organized the Pan-African Congress in Paris, and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1950, among many other achievements.

On September 27, the W.E.B. Du Bois library hosted an event in the Du Bois Center on the 22nd floor of the library. Copies of Du Bois’ book, The Souls of Black Folk, were handed out to students and free popcorn was given away. This event kicks off a 150-day countdown ending on the anniversary of Du Bois’ 150th birthday.  Read more

 

Culture and Leadership
7 Wednesdays starting 10/4
5:00-6:00pm
Malcolm X Cultural Center

You are invited to engage in this 7-week series of conversations to build stronger communities of pees and leaders.

Please  check flyer for meeting sessions. Everyone's  welcome.

 

 

¿Como se dice?
Every other Wednesday starting 10/4, 11/1, 15, 29 and 12/6
4:30-5:30pm
Latinx American Cultural Center
Hampden DC, 2nd Floor

Como se dice? is held every other Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm in the LACC in Hampden DC, 2nd Floor.  This is a bi-weekly 45 minute engagement program that seeks to examine Spanish idioms in relation to current experiences within the Diaspora.

 

 

Native Voices: Storytelling Circle

Every other Monday starting 10/2
5:30-6:30pm
Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center
Chadbourne Hall B-3

Join us at the Josephine White Eagle Cultural Center to listen to our special guests who will share their stories with us. 

Native Voices is held every other Monday from 5:30-6:30pm

Refreshments provided!  Everyone's welcome

 

Each One, Reach One Underrgrad/Grad Student Mixer
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
6:00-8:00 pm
Wilder Hall, Rm. 201

Do you have questions about graduate school process, funding opportunities, gap year plans, and career options?

Do not get overwhelmed. We are here for you!

You are invited to this event and we will have an information session and a panel of graduate students who will share their experiences and answer your questions. Also, enter to win a FREE set of KAPLAN GRE Preparation books!

Refreshments Provided!

Questions? Please contact Ghida EL-Banna at gelbanna-sa@umass.edu

 

Passion for Justice:  Yuri Kochiyama
Thursday, October 19
5:00-6:30pm
Yuri Kochiyama Cultural Center
Worcester DC. under Oak Room

You are invited to a film screening of Passion for Justice which is a facilitated initiative to engage participants in identifying values they share with Yuri Kochiyama and how they demonstrate these values in support of
underserved populations.

Guest facilitator:  Prof. Richard T. Chu, History Department/5 Colleges.

Everyone's welcome.  Refreshments provided!

 

Cultural Connections Fall 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017
6:00-8:00  pm
Campus Center Auditorium

This annual welcome event features student performances, cultural food samples, speed networking, resource fair and raffles.  The purpose is to connect students with campus resources that foster cultural sense of belonging and student success.  Enjoy performances by our student groups, namely:  D(o)HMG, Phallacies, Sharp Attitude & Dhakak!

Everyone's welcome! Wheelchair accessible!

 

Cultural Center Open Houses
To further enhance students’ cultural sense of belonging, the staff of the 4 cultural centers will host individual open houses to welcome new and returning students.  The schedules of the individual  open houses are as follows: Read more...

 

 

 

 

Mornings  with Derek Dunlea, Student Trustee
Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00 am
Wilder Hall, Rm. 005

Student Trustee  Derek Dunlea, a junior political science and economics major, is at CMASS in Wilder Hall on Tuesdays to discuss some student concerns, local and national news, sports or just any topic. Find out what a student trustee does!

Have some munchkins!

 

FAFSA  Help Days @ CMASS

Thursdays, 2:15-4:30
Rm.005, Wilder Hall

Come and meet with a Financial Aid Counselor and get answers to questions that you might have about your FAFSA.  The FAFSA personnel is at CMASS every Thursday to assist you.  Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Every first Thursday (it started October 5) until  March 1, of  every month (refer to flyer for dates) non-traditional students and families can come to consult with a Financial Aid Counselor for assistance and FAFSA help

 

 

Ask a Lawyer Anything!
Tuesdays - Starting September 12, 2017
12:00-2:00 pm
Wilder Hall 005
 

Come and talk to one of your lawyers from the Student Legal Services Office  and have your questions answered:

 

 

Let's Talk

When something’s bothering you, talking about it is often the first step toward a solution. Now, there’s an informal, convenient, confidential way to get insight and information – “Let’s Talk.”

The new program offers free, friendly drop-in sessions with counselor consultants from the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), at locations around campus. “Let’s Talk” isn’t formal counseling or mental health treatment. It’s a chance to briefly share what’s on your mind, find support, and get recommendations. No topic’s off-limits!

Facilitator:  Stacey Lopez for most Monday Let's Talk at CMASS..  Check meeting schedule here...

 

Connections in Color
Every Thursday
4:00-5:30pm
Wilder Hall, Rm. 102

Connections in Color is a group where students of color can find their UMass Voice by participating in discussions regarding academic and social pressures of being a student of color at  UMass. Topics vary from mental health and wellness, improving self-esteem and confidence, building and improving relationship and so much more.

Confidentiality is highly observed.

 

 

Olivia Laramie:  Recipient of the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year Award 2017

Our Web Writer, Olivia Laramie, was selected as one of only ten recipients for the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year award for the 2016-2017 school year. Laramie is a rising senior double majoring in Journalism and Anthropology. Her work for us at the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) include writing articles about various cultural events in the five college area, creating spotlight videos highlighting successful students on the UMass Amherst campus, and writing "Thoughts by Olivia Laramie" for our CMASS Weekly Bulletin.  Read more ...

To view her nomination video, click here