Multicultural Development

Event Spotlight

Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is nationally recognized from September 15 – October 15. In observance we host several programs to celebrate the Latinx culture such as Latinx Gala, keynote speakers, and films that have been written and/or directed by Latinx people or star or are about people of Latinx background. During this month of events we focus on the contributions of Latinx individuals and their contributions to the Hispanic culture and the world as a whole.

Pride Week
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Month is October. In the past, this month has been highlighted with a film festival and noted speakers Judy Shepherd. The focus programs that support students and the campus community that reflect the richness of the GLBT community and its positive impact on our society.

Black History Month
The Multicultural Leadership Development Center staff along with student organizations and community groups host a variety of events that highlight Black culture, history and tradition. These events include plays, music, cultural dances, conferences, and a lecture series.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population.

Womxn's History Month
Celebrating the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The purpose of Women’s History Month is to increase the knowledge of the contributions of notable and ordinary women.

The Social Justice Institute is an intensive developmental experience for agents of change. This cohort model institute examines the root causes of systemic and institutional injustices while inspiring actions that promote community, inclusion, and social responsibility utilizing solution focused thinking

Beyond The Lines (BTL) is an off-campus inclusive leadership retreat for students interested in working toward a more equitable and just society. During this retreat, students will gain an understanding of personal and social identities while learning about your social responsibility within communities through advocacy and activism. 

Tunnel of Awareness is an experience that highlights contemporary social justice issues and introduces participants to the concepts of oppression, microaggressions and other issues communities face globally, nationally, locally and here in the FGCU community. This year, we will have an inaugural BIPOC space.

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alternative Break Program (AB) is a week-long community engagement based experience in which an estimated twenty or more students, faculty, and staff provide service to an urban and/or rural city during FGCU’s Winter and Spring break. Sponsored by the Multicultural and Leadership Development Center, our Alternative Break program was created to educate and expose our students, staff, and faculty to the realities of social issues and injustices and what is being done to promote and encourage advocacy and action.

Come Thru Sessions

Come Thru sessions are an informal conversation that we have in the center based on topics that are brought up by our students. These sessions are meant to provide advice and safe space for different events or experiences happening in our lives. Sessions have been on professionalism, love, relationships, anxiety and mental health, birth chart readings and many more.

Rising Up, Standing Strong (RUSS)

Is a collaboration between the Multicultural and Leadership Development (MLD) Center and the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). This drop-in group is a space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to have the opportunity to participate in discussions about some of the unique challenges they face in an environment that is affirming and empowering and led by people of color. We will explore topics around personal or cultural identity, relationships, family, navigating past or present difficulties, and ethnic, racial, and/or cultural struggles related to attending a predominantly white institution and living in the world-at-large.