Multicultural Center
Located on the top floor of the Viking Union, the Multicultural Center is a great place to hang out and build community, access resources and guidance, study, and participate in programs and club meetings. Come check it out!
About the MCC
The Multicultural Center (MCC) is home to several departments and programs whose services center students with marginalized identities. Here you’ll find Multicultural Student Services, including the Ethnic Student Center and Blue Resource Center, and LGBTQ+ Western, including the LGBTQ+ student lounge in VU 722. You’ll also find some of our great partners who aren’t part of the Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unit, including the Tribal Liaison, and Director of Student Resilience.
The MCC includes lots of space to study and hang out, a community kitchen, meeting rooms, a library, and a quiet reflection/meditation space.
![VU 722 decorated with pride flags, and events bulliten board, and rainbow pillows on a grey couch](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2023-11/LGBTQ%2BLounge.png)
The LGBTQ+ Lounge in VU 722
![Stairway at the entrance to the Multicultural Center](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/stairway.jpg)
The MCC entrance
![a group of professional staff who work in the MCC. From left to right, Ayanna Phillips, Tulea Enochs, Litav Langley, JoeHahn, Amelia Flores, Chelsea Joefield, Laural Ballew, Nia Gipson, Amy Salinas Westmoreland, simone-calais staley](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2024-02/MCC%20staff%20group%20photo.jpg)
MCC staff group photo. From left to right, Ayanna Phillips, Tulea Enochs, Litav Langley, JoeHahn, Amelia Flores, Chelsea Joefield, Laural Ballew, Nia Gipson, Amy Salinas Westmoreland, simone-calais staley
![Doorway leading to Multicultural Services offices](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/staff-offices.jpg)
MCC staff offices
![Welcome desk at Ethnic Student Center entrance](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/esc-desk.jpg)
The MCC reception area
History of the MCC
Western’s Ethnic Student Center (ESC), a coalition of cultural clubs centering the experiences of students with marginalized racial and ethnic identities, was founded in 1991 as a student-led organization within Western’s Associated Students. Knowing that the prior location of the ESC on the fourth floor of the Viking Union was inadequate, Western students advocated and worked hard to create the MCC. A team of students and staff worked with architects on design of the space, visiting other university cultural centers in the northwest to inform the design of Western’s space.
The Multicultural Center opened in Fall 2019, creating expanded space for the Ethnic Student Center, Student Advocacy and Identity Resource Center (SAIRC) offices, and offices for some staff whose primary job responsibilities are in the areas of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As we build the new Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unit of Enrollment and Student Services, we are transitioning the student employee positions that made up the SAIRC offices into the related departments of the ADEI Unit. You can read more about this change here. Over time, use of the space in what was SAIRC area will change to reflect this improved structure for services that center BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled students.
![Photos on a wall next to an open seating area](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/gallery.jpg)
MCC gallery and sitting area
![Framed photos next to a "Multicultural Services" sign](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/gallery-2.jpg)
MCC gallery
![Photos on a gray wall next to open seating](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/gallery-3.jpg)
MCC gallery
![Printed sign with title text, "Black Love: A Revolution of Power" and smaller text beneath](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/photo-description.jpg)
MCC gallery photo series
![Wall of books next to an open seating area](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/library.jpg)
The MCC Library
![Large open room with wooden floors and mirrored wall](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/dance-room.jpg)
Multiuse Room with dance floor, VU 735
![Quiet Meditation room poster with hands cupping leaves](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/quiet-meditation.jpg)
Quiet meditation room, VU 712
![Comfortable seating next to an open kitchen area](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/kitchen.jpg)
MCC kitchen and social space
![Open kitchen area featuring an island of seating, recycling center, and appliances](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/kitchen2.jpg)
MCC kitchen
![Open study area with window overlooking Western's campus](/sites/thecenters.wwu.edu/files/2022-08/study-space.jpg)
MCC study space and computer lab