It may seem like a small sentiment, but something as simple as having flags from multiple cultures present on campus can help students feel welcome, said Admissions & Academic Counselor Courtney Newman.

Newman is one of three faculty members helping coordinate the new Multicultural Student Alliance, an organization dedicated to helping provide a safe space for students of all ethnicities, nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

“What we’re trying to do is bring a multitude of different students together in one space so they can connect with the college, connect with each other, experience some events and really have a support system,” said Newman.

Welcoming though the MSA may be, NECC is a place of learning. Fiona Edwards said the MSA will primarily be looking to encourage students academically. Like Newman, Edwards also works in the Career Planning & Advising Center and serves as a Designated School Official for international students.

“The MSA isn’t just geared toward being a safe space for people of different cultures,” said Edwards. “It’s a retentional tool for the student population. Statistics show that students are more inclined to stay on campus if they have some sort of extracurricular activity to do.”

Extracurricular activities generally make students feel more connected with their school and to the college experience in general. In a survey conducted by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 91% of respondents indicated that “participation in extracurricular activities positively contributed to their college experience.” In addition, most students who attended extracurricular activities rated their interactions with other students highly.

Edwards hopes that participation in the MSA will help prepare students for a career in their chosen field by incorporating the college’s Core Academic Skills. “Public speaking, initiatives in the community, the ability to network, the skills they will take out into their field — these will help them put these into practice.”
It’s important to note that the idea of multiculturalism is also about celebrating different ways of life. As part of this, the MSA plans to hold and attend plenty of events both on-campus and elsewhere in the area.

Currently, the off-campus events include a first generation student summit at Wellesley College that happened on March 7 and an upcoming lunch with the Haverhill Kiwanis Club on April 7. Both of these events reflect the MSA’s mission to help students learn about networking and foster inclusivity.

Newman says some of the events being considered include potluck dinners, a flag day and possibly an on-campus parade.

“I’m a movie person, so I’m hoping for a cultural movie night,” she said.
According to CPAC counselor and MSA coordinator Ana Fraden, one of the most exciting things about the MSA is its desire to collaborate with other student organizations. “We’ve been asked to collaborate with the Gay/Straight Alliance on its pride parade, and … we’re currently helping the Community Outreach Group with their bake sale,” she said. Since the values and mission statement of the MSA and many other clubs coincide, Fraden said she sees an immense amount of opportunity.

As of press time, the MSA coordinators have not yet pinned down the date of the next meeting. Students who are interested in more information on the MSA can contact Fiona Edwards at fedwards@necc.mass.edu, Courtney Newman at cnewman@necc.mass.edu or Ana Fraden at afraden@necc.mass.edu to be added to the email list.

Newman encouraged students who might be afraid to branch out to at least give the MSA a try.

“Just come once,” she said. “It’s not going to hurt anything, and if you stay, it looks great on your resume.”