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Student Development

Intercultural Home

The Intercultural Program is a multicultural understanding that weaves the Loras College commitment to diversity into the educational, spiritual, academic, cultural, and social fabric of the campus.  We fulfills this mission by providing leadership in education that celebrates individual differences of people within the Loras and Dubuque community by providing support for the tapestry of ideas and experience to which each person contributes to its overall environment.  In facilitation of such endeavors, we especially encourages students of minority and international backgrounds to participate in its support effort focused on mentoring and leadership development to strengthen their overall educational experience.

We also administer and support a variety of programs, as well as interpersonal activities that facilitate the adjustment of the multicultural and international students to the college. 

For the International students these activities include orientation, an academic advising program, the Loras International Student Association (L.I.S.A), and a variety of activities on the campus and in the Dubuque community.

The Multicultural program includes the development of activities that provide assistance to the multicultural students in the Loras community. In addition to this, we work with other campus organizations to provide programs from a multicultural perspective for the entire campus throughout the academic year.

Other resources and services provided by the office are: 

• Accessing student service resources
• Faculty development
• Helping students understand Loras policies and procedures
• Course and schedule planning 
• Exploring career opportunities
• Retention programs
• Cultural clubs and organizations
• Student leadership opportunities
• Racism and bias reduction programs
• Diversity lectures and performances

Intercultural Programs Vision:

The office of Intercultural Programs provides leadership in the understanding and education about individual differences of persons within the Loras College community and provides support for diversity (e.g. safety, liaison, mentoring, services, retention/recruitment, climate).

Belmont House

The Belmont House Intercultural Center is operated by the Office of Intercultural Programs at Loras College. The center features a “Kitchen Library” where students may “check out” food and “return” by the “due date.” The kitchen supplies are donated by Loras College faculty, staff, students, and community members.

The Belmont House Intercultural Center is available for student organizational meetings, informal receptions, and temporary housing.

The concept of establishing a cultural center on the Loras College campus began in the late 1960’s when African American students orchestrated a sit-in at Henion Manor to demand a Black Cultural Center at Loras College. The “Takeover of Henion Manor” resulted in May Place being established as a Black Cultural Center at Loras.

Mission Statement:

In partnership with the Loras community, the office of Intercultural Programs weaves the commitment to diversity into the educational, spiritual, academic, cultural, and social fabric of Loras College.

Alejandro J. Pino ('99)
Director of Intercultural Programs

Cindy Behnke
Office Coordinator/Intercultural Programs