The Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation — formerly known as the Diversity Center — relocated to a larger space in the Firstenburg Student Commons, providing students the chance to build a larger, more inclusive community.
Being a student member of CILA, senior psychology major Benellen Camacho commented on the purpose for the organization. “We’re hoping that this safe space would branch out beyond the center itself, so that we could encourage other students to come here rather than just people of color. We want it to be an open spot because that’s the main point as to why we renamed it and came up with a whole new mission and space,” he said.
Affirmation is now located in FSC 104.
(Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
Julie Mercado, manager of CILA and former WSU Vancouver student, commented on what she hopes to build with this new space for students. “My main goal is to not only supervise the space but to see it as a way to provide an opportunity for students to know each other, to have important discussions and to have this space remain as a positive and welcoming environment for every single student,” Mercado stated.
Mercado reflected on the first time she came to the WSU Vancouver campus in 2015 and became aware of what the Student Diversity Center was at the time. She noted how far the organization has come within the past couple of years.
“As a [former] student, when I got here, they had just received the space that used to be the Diversity Center, which was FSC 136, and that was such a big deal,” Mercado said. Having that physical space on campus where we can build a community was really important to us. When we got a bigger space with more light, room , and energy, that means a lot for students.”
“The room has always been small; we had such a small space and this organization was so deserving of such a bigger space. So, it is important to show that there is some progress in acknowledgement of communities.”
– Benellen Camacho, during the grand opening of CILA on Aug. 22.
CILA will host many events throughout the year, including the Cultural Arts and Equity Hip-Hop series. Mercado hopes that with more speakers and events, the center will promote WSU Vancouver’s core values they hold such as promoting inclusion, equity and diversity across campus.
Mercado commented on her future goals for this organization as well as how this space should improve and continue to impact WSU Vancouver students.
(Sydnie Kobza/The VanCougar)
“One of my goals is for them [WSU Vancouver students] is to build a positive community that provides an opportunity for learning and growth… [Students] can learn about themselves and explore their identity and who they are. Just to think about the people that will be growing, learning and developing is pretty amazing. This grand opening is important because this is just the beginning.”
CILA is located in the FSC, room 104 and is open Monday-Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emily is a senior studying integrated strategic communication at WSU Vancouver.