10 Ways To Support Multiracial Students On College Campuses

Brought to you by your friends at the ACPA Multiracial Network! We hope you join us at #acpa14.

1. THiNK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

2014 Spiritual Climate Survey, ACPA Committee for Religion, Spirituality, Faith, and Meaning / Via slu.az1.qualtrics.com

When designing surveys that require demographic data, allow respondents to "Check all that apply" and include a "bi/multiracial" or "mixed" option (or explain why you cannot).

2. Provide a place for students to FiND THEIR FIT!

Multiracial Student Group, University of Vermont BORED Website / Via uvmbored.com

Ensure that multiracial students feel that they have a space that they fit in on campus, whether that is a student organization or location.

3. Inclusive racial affinity group spaces.

Mixed Race Studies Wordpress / Via mixedracestudies.org

When engaging in racial social justice work, make sure to include spaces for conversations about multiracial people.

4. Keep developing your own identities and social justice awareness!

Via theguardian.com

Build your multicultural competence in the field of multiracial identity development. Understanding and embracing the complexities of how environments affect racial identity development for multiracial college students is key to identifying ways in which to support multiracial students at your institution.

5. Be mindful about language and your own biases.

ACPA CSJE Blog / Via wordpress.com

It is common to use monoracial language and/or even the term "students of color" when speaking about students who identity with one or more marginalized and/or underrepresented racial identities.

6. We're on the "ship..." The relation-SHIP!

Via youtube.com

It's all about relationships! Bottom line, work to build relationships with students across multiple social identities that can foster a supportive environment where students see you as an advocate around a plethora of matters.

Check out this video of hippos being good allies to another animal friend!

7. Understand that multiracial students can racially identify in different ways based on their experiences and situations.

Postsecret Multiraical Edition / Via multiracialnetwork.wordpress.com

It is important that we do not make assumptions based on how a student looks or put them in positions where they may feel obligated to represent a specific racial identity.

8. Explore like there's no tomorrow.

How I fell in Love with Researching Multiraciality... / Via multiracialnetwork.wordpress.com

Explore your own background as well as resources, writing, scholarship dealing with multiracial experiences, histories of people of color and issues of social, economic and racial justice.

9. Give VOICE!

multiracialnetwork.wordpress.com / Via multiracialnetwork.wordpress.com

Advocate for Multiracial students in your higher education institution and educational policies.

10. Stay connected and get involved!

Stay connected to national mixed race/multiracial resources like MRN!

11. Want to learn more? Join the ACPA Multiracial Network to find out more ways to support college students who identify as Multiracial.

The Multiracial Network (MRN), one of five networks in the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs, strives to help create and foster inclusive spaces within ACPA and postsecondary education with and for students, staff, and professionals who identify as multiracial, multiethnic, transracial adoptees, and having fluid racial identities. This past convention in Las Vegas was paramount for our network, as we celebrated 10 years since our founding and developed the pathway for our next 10 years of building our membership and advocating with and for ACPA members and the students we serve who identify as multiracial.

Are you following us?

hashtag: #MReiNvents

facebook: acpamrn

twitter: @acpa_mrn

blog: multiracialnetwork.wordpress.com

Questions?

E-mail Heather C. Lou, MRN Chair, for more information! ([e-mail])