Cultural Cohesion: Multicultural advisors guide conversations, hold events to establish cultural awareness
As a multicultural advisor at Central Michigan University, Taylor Gehrcke works to bring cultural understanding to the campus resident halls.
Gehrcke, a Grand Rapids, senior, is the MA for Celani Hall. He said he wanted to become an MA because of his passion for social justice and helping others.
“Being an MA is my way of educating people about issues that affect them on a global and everyday scale,” he said. “It is an easy way to bring about social change.”
Upperclassmen who live in each residence hall, MAs serve with the mission of building global awareness in their halls. They work with other hall staff to host programs that build cultural development for residents.
Gehrcke's everyday duties include putting bulletin boards and programs together that bring about meaningful discussions and conversations in the hall. He held a gender equality themed bake sale last semester, where baked goods were sold at 75 cents for women, and $1 for men. He said this helped spark a discussion about gender equality.
Gehrcke said for the most part, the residents of his hall are open and receptive to the messages he tries to convey as an MA.
“There are always going to be some challenges,” he said. “But I love having the chance to educate residents and pass on a bit of new knowledge.”
Dimitri Turner, the Fabiano Hall MA and Flint Beecher senior, said his favorite part of the job is being a resource for his residents.
“As MAs we have the ability to be a huge resource,” he said. “I love having the chance to talk with residents about diversity.”
Turner said one of the things he tries to focus on as an MA is just being there for his residents and listening to what they have to say.
“You have so many residents you can connect with, and I make it my job to make sure everyone feels included and heard,” he said.
Kate Fetter, a Plymouth senior, said she feels multicultural advisors are an important job to have on campus because they help students better understand other cultures.
“Sometimes it is difficult for people to understand other cultures,” she said. “It is important to understand each other better.”
