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Advocate for the community; make policy. Earn your MA in urban and public affairs; University of San Francisco
Advocate for the community; make policy. Earn your MA in urban and public affairs; University of San Francisco
November 20, 2024

Students meet with cultural orgs

Israel Archie | Spartan Daily

San José State students got to exercise cultural awareness on Tuesday as several  different clubs and organizations gathered in the Student Union Ballroom for the Multicultural Fall Welcome.   

Clubs such as the Black Business Student Association and the Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers were present to inform SJSU students about what they do and what opportunities they provide including.

The event was hosted by the MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center and its program coordinator Cheska Dolor, used the event as an opportunity for students of different cultures to interact and learn more about each other.

“A lot of students don’t really know what’s outside of their own bubble and they don’t even know where to start,” Dolor said. “So we wanted to create a space where students can come and they can engage with clubs that can support them on their identity.”

The MOSIAC Cross Cultural Center is a student resource center and department on campus that offers resources and programs to students while promoting social justice engagement and student activism, according to an SJSU web page

Some of the resources that they provide include workshops, co-sponsorship opportunities, and scholarships according to the same web page.

Dolor said this is the first time that the MOSAIC hosted an event like this and students wanted to see more events like these on campus.

“One of the things that students were talking about was (how) there aren’t really many spaces for clubs or campus departments that support students of color to get together,” Dolor said.

While a lot of these clubs have names that cater to specific cultures and identities, many of these clubs seem to be very outspoken in their inclusivity of others that might not fit those checkmarks.

Kiaya Huff, a third-year human resources student and president of the Black Business Student Association, wants to ensure students that the club serves all students.

“I plan to support students by showing the resources we have to offer and letting them know that there is a space for them to come and have community,” Huff said. “Whether you're Black, whether you’re white (or) whether you’re Hispanic, there’s always a place where you can come.”

 Black Business Student Association promotes unity and community engagement through events including corporate networking, mentorship and other social events, according to an SJSU web page

Huff said that students should take advantage of these events because they only come once in a while.

“I want to see more people show up,” Huff said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity to learn about the clubs that we have to offer.” 

Similar to Huff, Dolor also expected a bigger turnout of attendees to come out to the event.

 

 “I think it’s great for a first installment, but (I) definitely have bigger dreams and bigger vision for what this could be,” Dolor said. “So it’s good, (but) could be better and will be better.”

Lewis Gehami, a teaching grad student, said he enjoyed the event and wanted to see more clubs representing specific groups of people.

“I think we need a Brazilian club,” Gehami said. “We have the Latin American club, but I think we need to incorporate some of the Brazilian (and) Portuguese flavor.”

Gehami said that he is very interested in different cultures and used that passion to learn to speak French, Portuguese and he is currently learning Spanish.

While culture was the main theme of the event, some clubs were specifically catered to majors such as the science technology engineering mathematics (STEM) field.

Daniel Michael, a second-year mechanical engineering student and program chair, talked more about the importance of clubs in general and student involvement within them.

“We want to give as many resources as possible to help ensure the best possible route to professionalism,” Michael said. 

The Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers was at the event to aid mainly Black students that are in STEM and help them succeed on campus and off campus, according to Michael. 

The club collaborates with professionals in STEM to help students be on the path to achieving success in their various fields according to an SJSU web page.

“I think the more people we can get to come to these events and really showcase what they have to offer, the more people can be in the know,” Michael said. 

There are about 450 recognized clubs on campus according to an SJSU web page, giving students plenty of choices to choose from if they want to be a part of a community.

“If you want to find your place on campus, clubs, clubs clubs,” Michael said. “That’s probably the best thing I can tell you.”