About Us

Mission Statement

The Office of Multicultural Affairs supports the mission of Stony Brook University by providing culturally-based programs, advocacy, outreach, and community service that educates students and empowers them to be leaders for social change while attending Stony Brook University and within their communities. Office staff collaborates with the campus community and other constituents to support the recruitment, retention, academic success, and personal development of all students, with emphasis given to students of diverse backgrounds. Offering opportunities for student learning and skills development, the office promotes cultural competency and effective cross-cultural communication. The Office of Multicultural Affairs also has administrative oversight of the UNITI Cultural Center and serves as a resource to the University community on diversity matters. 

Theoretical Bases

The mission of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) supports Stony Brook University’s commitment to higher education and the Statement of Community. The office is guided by the core values of the Offices of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, which operates under a set of six principles proposed by the Carnegie Foundation and Ernest Boyer (1990) to foster the development of community on college campuses. Here, we define community as an environment that creates a sense of belonging and purpose, incorporating the following six elements: purposeful, open, just, disciplined, caring, and celebrative.

In addition, the Office of Multicultural Affairs is committed to the following perspectives, which also provide a foundation for its work: 

• Diversity is one of the University’s greatest strengths, offering infinite opportunities for multicultural learning if emphasis is placed on enhancing the abilities, knowledge, interests, resources, aspirations and hopes of students rather than focusing exclusively on barriers to cross-cultural acceptance and appreciation. (Adopted from Dennis Saleebey, 2005)
• A diversity of backgrounds and approaches enriches the process of discovery, the ways of thinking about solving problems, the multiple modes of communicating ideas.  Therefore, a comfort level of difference, as well as flexibility to learn in various ways, must emanate from the institution. (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1990)
• Multiculturalism is a state of being in which an individual feels comfortable and communicates effectively with people from any culture, in any situation, because she or he has developed the necessary knowledge and skills to do so. (Margaret Pusch, 1980)
• Multiculturalism is an ongoing developmental process involving self-awareness, knowledge, and skills for use in a variety of situations. (Paul Pedersen, 2000)

It is the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ philosophy that diversity is integral to student development and the development of critical thinking skills.  Mentoring and developing students, enhancing campus life, and creating an open, just, and celebrative campus community through culturally based programs, advocacy, outreach, and community service are the office’s main goals.  Evaluation, assessment, and continuous improvement also are important office functions.

Our Core Values

• Diversity at Stony Brook University is valued, desired, and integral to our success as an institution of higher education.
• Multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills are essential to creating a just, open, and supportive campus climate where students have a strong sense of belonging. 
• It is necessary to integrate multicultural educational theories into all areas of practice within the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
• Students must acquire the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully interact and communicate with people who are different from themselves. 
• Multicultural learning is the pathway to leadership and ethical development, civic engagement, and social responsibility within a pluralistic and democratic society.
• Student development is strengthened by advocating, mentoring, advising, role modeling and providing opportunities for active learning. 
• Powerful connections, collaborations, and cooperation between all levels of the University are essential to creating a vibrant multicultural campus community that promotes student development, student success, and personal growth.
• Principles of good management, leadership, and motivation are critical in the development of competent and dedicated staff for helping to create a multicultural campus community.