Programs & Support Services
In alignment with the Whitworth University mission, the office of student diversity, equity & inclusion facilitates a variety of programs to support and advocate for historically underrepresented students as we aim to cultivate a community of belonging for every Whitworth student, across all dimensions of human difference.
BUCS Bridge
The Building Unity & Cultivating Success (BUCS) Bridge Program is a pre-orientation program designed to serve first-year students who are in the first generation of their families to attend college and/or come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. This five-day program introduces incoming students to Whitworth's faculty, resources and peers before first-year orientation begins. After the pre-orientation, participants receive ongoing support from our BUCS Peer Guide (PG) student leader team and staff throughout their first year in college. Students involved in BUCS Bridge experience the benefits of community-building, gain skills in college navigation and further develop their multicultural identity. For more information about this program, contact BUCS Bridge Coordinator Marina Davis at mdavis@whitworth.edu.
Learn more about the PRE-ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Immigration Learning Circle
The Immigration Learning Circle is a community of support for students who immigrated to the United States, have loved ones who immigrated to the U.S., or have been impacted by immigration policies. Facilitated by staff members in SDEI and the counseling center, the group meets twice a month dedicating time and space to build a strong community network, share and listen to experiences, ask questions in a safe and secure place, and get connected to resources. For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact the counseling center at counselingcenter@whitworth.edu.
International Support Services
Whitworth offers services to assist in international students’ transition throughout the academic year to Whitworth. This begins with a four-day program designed as a pre-orientation for international students and third-culture students with the goal of building strong community connections, providing resource navigation skills, and easing their adjustment to the United States and to Whitworth. As they continue through their academic journeys, international students are supported by our Cultural Diversity Advocate (CDA) student leader team and staff who promote engaging different viewpoints through collective dialogue and celebration; the international community flourishes with rich connections because of this exchange of traditions and culture. For more information about this program, contact Student Success, Equity & Belonging Director Shari Clarke at sclarke@whitworth.edu.
Multicultural Leadership Program
Whitworth University’s Multicultural Leadership Program (MLP) is designed to equip community-minded students from Spokane, Tacoma, Yakima and Tri-Cities (and the surrounding areas) to grow as leaders and be able to use their Whitworth education to act for inclusive humanity, on campus as well as in their home communities. Students are selected for the program during their senior year of high school. Throughout their college experience, MLP scholars engage in a cohort-model community under the support of an advisor, receive structured leadership development training, and are presented with opportunities to explore their identity and connect even across divisions of difference. For more information about this program, contact MLP Coordinator Kendra Guttridge at kguttridge@whitworth.edu.
The Office of Student Success, Equity & Belonging
Working together for the success of all Whitworth University students, the Belonging Initiative is designed to create a campus environment that enables every student to fully engage in the Whitworth University experience. Belonging encourages connection to peers, assists in the development of building meaningful relationships, and supports students to find their authentic voices as they flourish in an environment of respect and encouragement. A “sense of belonging” has been identified as a universal and fundamental human need.
The Whitworth Office for Student Success, Equity & Belonging focuses on policies and programming for all students with a significant focus on underrepresented student populations.
Donuts & Dialogue Featuring a Dynamic Guest
Donuts & Dialogue was designed to increase knowledge regarding culture and leadership through informal interactions with various community and campus leaders, providing students with the opportunity to have up-close and personal interactions and to expand their networks. Engaging with campus and community leaders is an essential component of the program. This event is sponsored in partnership with the Associated Students of Whitworth University (ASWU).
Diversity Monologues
The Diversity Monologues provides students with transformative learning opportunities that promote and affirm the value of human difference. Students utilize their authentic voices and creativity through an artistic expression. Students engage counternarrative to celebrate their identities and to illuminate opportunities for improving equity and inclusion within institutional and societal structures, policies and procedures.
Lead Belonging Student Assistant Position
The lead belonging student assistant position involves planning and implementing student engagement programs and activities that focus on belonging and inclusivity of all student populations. The position is designed to cultivate regular interactions with students to establish rapport, build community and affirm that every student matters at Whitworth.
Culture Heritage Celebrations
Martin Luther King Jr. Day annual celebration, third Monday in January
Black History Month, February
Lunar New Year, Feb. 17, 2026 (date changes annually)
Ramadan, evening of Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026-Sunday, March 19, at sunset (date changes annually)
Annual Eid celebration ("festival of breaking the fast," marks end of Ramadan), March 20, 2026 (date changes annually)
International Women's Day, March 8
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May
Cinco de Mayo, May 5
Polynesian Club Annual Luau, May
National Immigrant Heritage Month, June
Juneteenth, June 19
National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Indigenous Peoples' Day, Oct. 13, 2025 (date changes annually)
Diwali (Hindu festival of lights) Oct. 20, 2025 (date changes annually)
National Native American Heritage Month, November
National First-Generation College Student Day, Nov. 8
PRO Closet
PRO Closet provides Whitworth students with gift cards to select department stores to purchase proper and professional attire needed for an interview or first job. We want our students to feel confident and prepared for their first professional experience. In addition to having the ability to purchase professional clothing items and look and feel their best as they enter the professional world, students can receive individualized coaching from one of our career services representatives.
All current Whitworth students may apply for PRO Closet funding, regardless of class standing or major. Priority may be given to students who have a career-related obligation or junior or senior standing, depending on resource availability.
PRO Closet is sponsored by career services and the office of student diversity, equity & inclusion and is funded by generous Whitworth donors.