Staple Events

The UMass Amherst Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) sponsors regular social and educational events in the cultural centers throughout the year as well as several larger annual events: Cultural Connections (in early fall), The UMass Ultimate Race (once per semester), and the Senior Recognition Banquet (in late spring). In addition, CMASS collaborates with UMass campus partners to celebrate several annual Heritage Months with an array of speakers, film screenings, performances, cultural dinners, and more. 

Heritage Celebrations
ZuZu Dancers performing at Black Heritage Month Celebration

Heritage Celebrations

Throughout the year, CMASS collaborates with campus partners to organize several Heritage Months with events including speakers, film screenings, performances, cultural dinners, and more. The UMass community is invited to strengthen inclusive communities by celebrating heritage and culture together. 

  • Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15
  • Native American History Month: November
  • Black History Month: February
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May

 

Planning Committee and Financial Sponsors

Heritage Month celebrations are made possible by the contributions of a planning committee and several financial sponsors.

Cultural Connections
A group of students performing a Dragon Dance at Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections

A highlight of UMass fall events, this annual cultural showcase is designed to welcome new and returning students, faculty, and staff. Free and open to the campus and general public, Cultural Connections is a celebration of our diverse campus community.

  • Connect with students, faculty and staff from across campus, learn about the cultural centers, student cultural groups, and and multicultural Greek organizations.
  • Enjoy live performances and sample cultural appetizers from around the world.
  • Network with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and local community members.  

We look forward to meeting you at Cultural Connections!

The Ultimate Race
A group photo of Ultimate Race participants

The Ultimate Race

Formerly known as the Amazing Race, the UMass Ultimate Race is a biannual event brought to you in partnership with the UMass Police Department (UMPD). Three-person teams race to arrive at campus destinations where they must solve clues that lead to new destinations with tasks to complete. Teams must visit all destinations and complete challenges in the order given. The first three teams to finish the race are declared the winners.

This highly interactive event is an excellent opportunity to collaborate as a team, engage in friendly competition, and get to know CMASS and UMPD staff.

Media

How to Register

  1. Form a team of three people.
  2. Give your team a creative name.
  3. Gather these details for each team member: name, campus email, phone number, t-shirt size.
  4. Submit the online registration form with your team’s information. 

Note: Registration links are posted a few weeks before each event and remain open until the event is full.

Senior Recognition Banquet
Graduating seniors attending CMASS Recognition Banquet

Senior Recognition Banquet

Near the end of spring semester, graduating CMASS students are honored at a banquet celebrating their upcoming Commencement. Successfully completing college is a momentous achievement that requires a great deal of discipline, determination, and hard work. Reaching this major milestone demonstrates an ability to achieve longterm goals and the capacity to make a positive impact in our local and global communities.

At the Senior Recognition Banquet, graduating students are treated to a dinner with speakers and presentations. Each graduate receives a certificate and a commemorative CMASS stole to wear to the main UMass Commencement ceremony.