Multicultural Student Services + Pride Center

 

Table with sign saying You Belong Here

Welcome students and community!

The Multicultural Student Services and Pride Center team is deeply committed to supporting the needs of the many UAA student communities. Our department oversees two centers on campus and a number of programs that are dedicated to fostering culturally diverse community engagement. MSS and the Pride Center celebrate the cultural assets of students with marginalized identities and work to transform societal norms to build a campus community where all students can thrive as their full authentic selves. We strive to challenge societal norms through collective impact and a justice-equity centered approach. 

We look forward to getting to know you and co-creating a more equitable UAA community together. We hope you will join us in sharing your traditions, successes, passions and dreams. We also hope you join us when you have something to work through or need a listening ear. Stop by for a warm cup of coffee, a place to find connection, or just to take a look. Check out one of our social events! We host regular socials and educational events throughout each semester.

In community,
The MSS + Pride team

  • Multicultural Center Resources

    MSS includes a dedicated space and programs that foster culturally diverse community engagement. The Multicultural Center, RH 106, is a safe and brave space for all members of the UAA community to explore racial and cultural identity in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

    Our space and resources are open to all students, staff, faculty and UAA community.

    • Lounge and study area
    • Computers and printers
    • Laptops for students to check out
    • Library of books on numerous social justice topics
    • Multifaith Prayer Room and Low Stimulation Space
    • Community information and resources
    • Coffee maker, water kettle, refrigerator, and microwave
    • Affiliated club storage
  • Pride Center Resources

    This center seeks to affirm, uplift, and engage those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ and allies  The Pride Center is a safe and brave space for all members of the UAA community to explore gender identity and sexual orientation in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

    • Our space and resources are open to all students, staff, faculty and UAA community.
    • Lounge and study area
    • Library of books on LGBTQIA2S+ Topics
    • Low Stimulation Space
    • Community information and resources
    • Coffee maker, water kettle, refrigerator, and microwave
    • Crafting area

Visit MSS + Pride

 

Mission

MSS at UAA is committed to uplifting students with marginalized identities through fostering a sense of community and belonging, co-creating meaningful engagement for holistic student development, and transforming the cultural roots of systemic inequities.

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Vision

To build a university community where all students, especially those with marginalized identities, thrive.

 

  • Jedi Alliance (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)

    JEDI Student Leaders 2023-24

    The JEDI Alliance is a cohort of student advocates and leaders at UAA Multicultural Student Services who are committed to the advancement of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) at UAA. They are dedicated to promoting belonging, celebrating diverse identities, building meaningful relationships, and educating the campus community about JEDI. JEDI Alliance members meet on a biweekly basis, develop and facilitate programming, collaborate with staff and student groups, and are eligible for scholarship awards for their commitment. For more information contact Daniela Grijalva, dagrijalva@alaska.edu.

  • Rainbow Initiatives

    Rainbow Initiatives - Pride Center photo

    Rainbow Initiatives are UAA’s dedication of time, space and energy to our LGBTQIA2S+ community. Housed at our beautiful Pride Center in the Student Union, Rainbow Initiatives is the umbrella program that provides a space, events and programming to support the belonging, engagement and holistic wellbeing of our community members. We center, uplift and advocate for our queer/trans community at UAA so we can live our most authentic, successful and full lives here.

  • Global Seawolves

     

    Global Seawolves - student leaders

    The Multicultural Center is a social hub for all students on campus, but we specifically highlight and celebrate our community members who are here studying from abroad. Each year there are approximately 30-50 international students with an average of 25 countries represented.

    All new international students are guided through their arrival and orientation experience. MSS and our partners facilitate opportunities to celebrate our global communities here in Anchorage. Students are invited to attend Global Seawolves social events and programs throughout the academic year.

  • BIPOC Initiatives

     

    BIPOC Initiatives - programming event with student leaders

    Many of our programs through the Pride Center and the Multicultural Center are here to create opportunities for making new connections. We know that building a community and network of friends is critical to the college student experience. There is something in MSS for everyone regardless of your age, degree program and social identities. Take a leap and meet some new people outside of your classrooms. Join us for “Connect” events and various socials.

  • Multifaith and Low Stimulation Spaces

     

    Multifaith and low stimulation space in MSS

    MSS’s mission includes supporting students who practice marginalized religions by promoting inclusion through education, naming observances, and creating safe spaces throughout campus. The first multifaith space on the Anchorage campus is located inside of MSS in Rasmuson Hall 106B and was supported by our student body government, USUAA. Student leaders have lovingly developed the multifaith prayer and meditation initiatives. The Pride Center houses a “low stimulation” environment to provide additional quiet, non-stimulating locations for students who may need to take a break. These spaces are non-reservable and available for use when the campus is open. All are welcome to use this space for individual quiet contemplation, prayer, meditation, bereavement, and healing.

  • Academic, Engagement, and Advocacy Scholarships 

    SOE Academic Engagement and Advocacy Scholarships

    The Multicultural Center and Pride Center proudly facilitate various academic, leadership, art justice, and advocacy scholarships. There are many different ways to engage with our department through peer leadership and service contributions. This initiative seeks to award student facilitators and leaders for the engagement and work at MSS and beyond.

Find Your Community with Cultural and Identity-based Student Orgs

Cultural and Identity-based Student Organizations Support

Student Organizations

MSS and The Pride Center enthusiastically support cultural and identity-based Student Organizations. Many student organizations seek out our centers for holding meetings, hosting events, and seeking adviser support. If you want your student organization to collaborate with MSS- stop by our centers and chat with staff about ways you want to be supported. Our current affiliations with Student Org Services (SOS) include:

  • International Student Organization (ISO)
  • Muslim Student Association (MSA)
  • Kabayan Community (Filipino Org.)
  • People of Oceania Association (POA)
  • The Family (LGBTQIA2S+ Student Org)
  • The Feminist Intersectional Rights Movement (The FIRM)
  • ACLU of Alaska Action Network (Student org affiliated with the ACLU)

Our Team

Photo of Sara Caldwell-Kan
Sara Caldwell-Kan

Director of Multicultural Student Services
Email smcaldwellkan@alaska.edu

Sara Caldwell-Kan (she/they) is an activist, scholar, dreamer, and long-time higher education professional. They received a  PhD in Education (Equity and Education Policy) and a Masters Degree in Public Health. Her dissertation research was focused on understanding how Asian American college students understand and experience wellness through an AsianCrit counter-narrative approach. Sara’s work is centered on uplifting students and transforming higher education to be an institution where all students can be their full selves all the time. She believes that wellness is wholeness and imagines a future where we can embrace our full selves, including our ancestral strength, to build a collective community of love.
  • Favorite thing about MSS + Pride: MSS + Pride nurtures our need to connect and find community and inspires us to embrace all dimensions of ourselves.
  • Favorite Activities: I love to be outside as much as possible. I find great enjoyment in learning new things and challenging people’s notions of what it means to be outdoorsy. I also love cyclocross and racing around on my bike, though I am not a particularly great racer.
  • Rejuvenating Practice: To be honest, I love to read romance novels. There are so many beautiful stories of love in all forms, and I love that I can trust that a book will end positively.
Photo of Daniela Grijalva
Daniela Grijalva

Assistant Director for Social Justice and Inclusion, Multicultural Student Services
Email dagrijalva@alaska.edu

Daniela Grijalva (she/they) is a storyteller, an advocate, and an academic enthusiast with a background in social justice, socio-legality, and intersectional activism. They earned dual bachelor's from Ohio University in Political Science and Latin American Studies, and a Masters Degree in Law, Justice & Culture from the same institution. Her latest research consists of an assessment of how “Karen” represents a modern-day version of an intersectional abuse of gender and race privilege. Raised between Appalachian Ohio and Ecuador, Daniela has utilized the experiences and life lessons of a blended lifestyle to identify and combat inequity in social microcosms, as well as at institutions of higher education, and is passionate about helping all students feel empowered and supported in holistically exploring themselves. They are excited to continue learning and growing with the UAA community, and getting to know Alaska more and more every day.
  • Favorite thing about MSS: Our abundant and ever-growing collection of Squishmallows and other cuddly creatures, which constantly enhance our welcoming community space! 
  • Favorite activities: Rollerblading with my roomies, frolicking in the mountains, and trying all the cool niche sports Alaska has to offer! 
  • Rejuvenation Practice: I love to light a candle and journal (word vomit) to help me identify all my thoughts and later make meaning out of them. I’m also a big proponent of naps!
Photo of Jessi Saiki (they/them)
Jessi Saiki (they/them)

Engagement and Belonging Coordinator, Pride Center
Location Universtiy Hub, Lower Lever of the Student Union
Email jmsaiki@alaska.edu

Jessi Saiki (they/them) is an artist, advocate, and UAA Alumni with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in handbuilt ceramic sculpture. They wrote their thesis on neurodivergence and art therapy. Jessi loves to do art, play video games, and spend time with animals. They also love to be active in the community attending and supporting the organization of rallies, protests and mutual aid efforts.

As an Engagement and Belonging Coordinator, Jessi supports the belonging of BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent identities and all the lovely intersections our identities can have. Jessi lovingly focuses on our Rainbow Initiatives, which supports and celebrates our LGBTQIA2S+ community through programs, events and awareness initiatives.

  • Favorite thing about MSS: At MSS we have freedom to be fully ourselves and support to pursue social justice and envision a better future.
  • Favorite animals: my favorite animals are cats, axolotls and japanese dwarf flying squirrels! 
  • Rejuvenating Practice: Journaling, spending time with my emotional support animals, going for a walk!