Multicultural Advocates (MAs) were added to the Residential Life staff team during the 2002-2003 academic year. They are a special group of student employees who focus their time, talents, and enthusiasm on making our undergraduate halls safe, welcoming, and celebrative environments for ALL students.  This year we have 18 MAs on staff, and hope to add 1 more position for 2007-2008.

MAs plan programs & learning events that deal primarily with diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice issues.  They serve as leaders and role models within the residence hall community for confronting acts of intolerance or hate, encouraging dialogue among students, and working toward true multicultural communities.

MA Job Description for 2005-2006

MA Job Description for 2006-2007

The Multicultural Advocate assumes an active role in the advancement of multiculturalism and social justice within the residence halls through community and staff development, education, celebration, and dialogue.  

The Multicultural Advocate assists resident advisors, resident directors, and students by being a:

·        Resource Person around issues of social identity and social justice

·        Student Advocate

·        Peer Advisor

·        Role Model

·        Educator

The daily life of a Multicultural Advocate includes but is not limited to:

·              Advocating for all students and staff in the residence halls and campus community inclusive of their many social identities (race, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, religion).

·              Develop interactive and innovative programs in the residence halls and for the campus community around social justice and diversity which encourage interpersonal and group interactions among residents.

·              Collaborate with Resident Advisors, student organizations, and university departments on program initiatives around social justice and diversity.

·              Serve as a resource and consultant for Resident Advisors in the areas of:

·        Programming

·        Interpersonal or community based conflicts involving social identity issues.

·              Facilitate residence hall and campus wide dialogues when social identity conflicts occur.

·              Developing bulletin boards in the residence halls around social justice and diversity which will educate and spark conversations among students and staff around various social identities.

·              Providing individual support to students and staff in the residence halls who are struggling with issues around social identity and cultural differences.

·              Co-advising housing student groups especially but not limited to identity based housing student groups.

·              Developing positive relationships with residence hall community members. 

This is achieved through:

·               Planning and implementing 12-16 active/passive programs each  

 semester

·               Participating in floor and hall activities.

·               Being knowledgeable about and referring students and staff to  

 campus a community resources.

·               Serving on Residential Life Committees as assigned.

·               Attending MA staff development meetings on Monday afternoons from 4-6pm.

·               Attends RA staff development meetings on Wednesday nights from 7-9pm.

·               Participates in developing cross-cultural communication skills through ongoing training and development, including completion of the 10 week PIR (EOL 199) course for residential life student staff.

·              Those assigned to LLC halls will negotiate LLC responsibilities for 2-5 hours per week. 

·              Submitting required reports and paperwork on time.

WANNABE A M.A.?

work with students, RAs, and RDs?

advance social justice education in the halls?

be a cultural advisor and resource person?

facilitate dialogues around identity issues?

train staffs on difficult cultural issues?

help every student Learn? Grow? Matter?

Apply to be a Multicultural Advocate!!
click here!

Contact Information:
Department of Residential Life
300 Clark Hall - MC-548
1203 South Fourth Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Phone: 217-333-0770
Fax: 217-333-6343
Jodie Castanza, Assistant Director of Residential Life for Student Involvement