GOALS

Programming at Intersections is designed to support students' success in building skills and knowledge to participate in a multicultural society. Click here for full list of Intersections goals.

ACADEMICS

Academics are a central focus of Intersections and provide conceptual and historical foundations for residents to develop the tools to understand and analyze the complexities of race and cultural relations.

EVENTS

From the purely social to more serious discussions to special trips, Intersections offers many ways to get involved.

"Real Talk"

Weekly occurrence where Intersections visits different cultural or social venues on or off campus one week and the following week meet to converse about the activity. “Real Talk” is coordinated by your Multicultural Advocate but provides a great opportunity for any resident to take a lead on a program.

Guest-in-Residence

Each semester Intersections hosts guests who address issues related to race and social justice. Guests live in Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Hall for several days to a week and interact with residents in a variety of programs, workshops, and informal discussions.

Visiting Scholars
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet and talk with faculty members at the University of Illinois and other universities whose work focuses on race and culture. The interactive format and dinner keep things lively.

Trips
Join your fellow residents in getting off campus to experience what other places have to offer. This fall we'll travel to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Abraham Lincoln Museum.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Outstanding Mentors for Intersections (OMI)

Returning students have the opportunity to step up as leaders through planning and facilitating Intersections Orientation, mentoring residents, and programming. Stipend provided in form of gift card to Illini Union Bookstore.

Intersections Ambassadors (IA)

Students represent Intersections by providing tours of the community to prospective and incoming students, visiting high schools, and talking about Intersections at campus functions.

Intersections Community Communications Director (ICCD)

The ICCD plays an important role in Intersections by making sure residents know what's going on in the community, on campus, and beyond. Duties include helping to maintain communication among Intersections residents and between staff and residents and designing and publishing weekly newsletter (can be on paper, on-line, blog, podcast, etc.). Pay is based on University schedule for undergraduate hourly work, approximately 5-6 hours/week @ 8.25/hr.

Multicultural Advocates (MA)

MA’s live in Intersections and act as a resource, advocate, peer advisor, role model, and educator for residents around issues of social identity and social justice. Stipend provided in form of gift card to Illini Union Bookstore.

Resident Advisors (RA)

RA's are responsible for building community on the floors through programming, being role models, and upholding community standards.

RESEARCH

Improving cultural and race-relations has a rich tradition of research in the social sciences and education. Intersections residents are encouraged to join various projects through faculty research and courses. Contact Lydia Khuri, Intersections Interim Academic Director at mkhuri@uiuc.edu for more information. Current projects range from examining the impact Intersections itself has on its residents to student-developed ethnography projects.

Research Internship
Whether you are interested in race or another diversity topic, this internship offers you first-hand experience working with a faculty member. Application available in PDF and Microsoft Word.

Intersections Studies
Work by Professors Mark Aber (Psychology) Helen Neville (Counseling Psychology) and Lisa Spanierman (Counseling Psychology) was featured at the 2008 conference on Race, Diversity, and Campus Climate at the University of Illinois.

Influence of a Living-Learning Community on Students’ Racial Attitudes examines increasing awareness of diversity issues and race and racism. In this study, it was found that students who participated in a multicultural living learning community had a more positive evaluation of their university's commitment to diversity compared to students who did not participate in a living learning community.