Empowering students and expanding opportunities
The Multicultural and Leadership Development Center cultivates a campus-wide community, which celebrates diversity, empowers students to grow beyond their personal barriers, strengthens students’ understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develops students’ leadership skills. Our office promotes academic, leadership and personal growth. Our vision is to nurture a generation of ethical and knowledgeable leaders who contribute to the ever-changing global society.
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Multicultural Ambassadors Program
Toggle More InfoLooking for a way to become an FGCU student leader? The Multicultural Ambassadors Program (MAP) is a great way to do so! Students who are given the title of MAP are selected through an application and interview process and are highly trained to facilitate conversations and trainings on diverse topics. Selected students represent diverse cultures, geography, sexual-orientations, gender identities, ethnicities, and majors. MAP students serve as advisors, mentors, facilitators, and representatives of the FGCU community.
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Frosh Mosh Multicultural and Leadership Development Institute
Toggle More InfoThe Frosh Mosh Multicultural and Leadership Development Institute is a semester-long experience that allows students to become acclimated to life at FGCU while learning about new opportunities and building community. Students participate in a three-day immersive weekend during the summer that introduces them to social justice issues and leadership concepts through guided discussions and activities. Throughout this experience, participants will be led by a Peer Mentor and will continue their growth and development through the Fall semester.
Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors
Looking for a way to become an FGCU student leader? Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors are a group of students trained as peer educators who are comfortable in facilitating topics around diversity, social justice and leadership. The goal of each Frosh Mosh Peer Mentor is to build a relationship with their student mentee group, work towards a smooth transition, and foster the growth in each of their mentees leadership potential. We hire new Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors annually in the months of October/November.
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Cultural Celebrations
Toggle More InfoEvent Spotlight
Diversity YOUniversity
Held during Weeks of Welcome, Diversity YOUniversity is an event to welcome students back to the university. During this event we celebrate the different cultures that are represented at FGCU and allow for students to network with individuals from different university departments to learn about resources and individuals available to them that can assist in mentorship and assistance throughout the year.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.Passover Seder
A Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The Seder is a ritual performed by a community or by multiple generations of a family, involving a retelling of the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.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. -
Additional Programming
Toggle More InfoCome 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.

Contact Details
Multicultural & Leadership Development
Cohen Student Union 255
10501 S. FGCU Blvd. S.
Ft. Myers, FL 33965
239-590-7990 | Contact Us
Office Hours
Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.