Intercultural Center

Welcome! The Intercultural Center was developed to provide safe and brave spaces for historically minoritized and marginalized groups on campus with the goal of increased diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Intercultural Center (ICC) will serve as:

• a resource for the campus community while placing the experiences of diverse and historically minoritized and marginalized groups at the center. ​
• a dynamic learning space with deliberate programming and opportunities to support all members of COC with the goal of increased diversity, equity, and inclusion.​
• a safe space where the goal is expression without fear of repercussion, and a brave space where expressions are both, validated and challenged.​
• a place to meet, build community, and serve as another access point/bridge to existing resources.Diversity is crucial in assuring that we can understand each other in deeper ways that help keep us humble and open to the fact that the world does not only revolve around our beliefs. It can help develop us into better people, as it increases our understanding of human nature. The importance of diversity itself can benefit us in all aspects of our lives. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, on October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Dolores Huerta to Speak at College

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and Labor Day, labor leader and community organizer Dolores Huerta will speak at the College of the Canyons Intercultural Center (ICC) at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. 

The event will feature Huerta and highlight the evolution of public policy, social justice, and advocacy over her career as an activist, as well as how young people can serve their communities.

A U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor inductee, Huerta was the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a former UC Regent and has earned honorary doctorates from universities throughout the United States.

The ICC, which will officially open its doors on Sept. 13, is located on the ground floor of Bonelli Hall at the Valencia campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE

Interview with Shelby Steele

“An Interview with Shelby Steele" will be an hour-long event that will discuss the impact of contemporary social programs, such as affirmative action, on race relations in American society.

Steele specializes in the study of race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action. 

Steele earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah, a master’s degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Coe College.

He is a member of the National Association of Scholars, the national board of the American Academy for Liberal Education, the University Accreditation Association, and the national board at the Center for the New American Community at the Manhattan Institute.

Steele has also written extensively for major publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He is a contributing editor at Harper's magazine. 

“An Interview with Shelby Steele” will be held in the lobby of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, which is located at the Valencia campus. 

The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE

•  Upcoming Events

  We have embedded below our campus event calendar. You can use the "search function" to find events meaningful to you. We've highlighted a few events you may want to explore in our featured events section below to assist you in your search. 
  
  

   

•  Leading and Learning: Professional Development

  To see watch professional development trainings please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

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  Event	Date and Time	Location or Link
  Roe…A Campus Discussion	Monday, May 16, 2022 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM	Zoom Recording
  On Account of Sex: A Campus Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Discussion	Wednesday, March 22, 2022 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM	Zoom Recording
  Love & Equality-The Muslim Experience	Thursday, March 10, 2022 Time:  2:30-3:30 P.M.	Zoom Recording
  Celebrating Multiculturalism through Poetry and Literature	Friday, April 23, 2021 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.	Zoom Recording
  Moving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forward in Corporate America	Wed.,September 29 2021 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM	Zoom Recording Zoom Recording

   

•  Past Events

  To see past events please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

  Event	Date and Time	Location or Link
  STILL Tired of Teaching to Little Black Boxes…the Conversation Continues	Friday, August 13, 2021 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Zoom Recording
  Birth of Hip Hop / Evolution of Hip Hop / Where it all began	Thursday, May 20, 2021 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.	Zoom Recording
  COC Lunch and Learn	Thursday, May 6, 2021 12:30pm - 1:30pm  CalWORKs/EOPS/CARE	Zoom Recording
  Celebrating Multiculturalism through Poetry and Literature	Friday, April 23, 2021 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.	Zoom Recording

   

• What We Are Reading

  To see past events please click on the zoom recording button located on the right side. A complete list of all events can be found here.

  Title	Formatt and Author	Link or ISBN number
  Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America	Book: Eduardo Bonilla-Silva	Go!
  The Racism Right Before Our Eyes - There is implicit bias — and then there is behavior like this	Article: Jamelle Bouie	Go!

   

• Additional Resources

  Title	Desciption	Link or Location
  Student Services Homepage	A COC webpage that lists all of our college student services offices and websites	Go!
  Dreamers Together Homepage	A COC webpage supporting DACA, AB 540, Undocumented,  and Out of Status students.	Go!
  Equity Minded Practitioners	A group dedicated to addressing disproportionate impact by reviewing institutional practices to identify and help resolve equity gaps.	Go!
  Equity In Education	A video recording of a discussion on Equity within Education - led by Brandon Ashford, Julie Johnson, and Robert Wonser	Go!
  Undocumented Students Resource	Supporting Undocumented Students: Important Points for Allies By: Esther Villegas-Sandoval, Faculty, Sociology	Go!
  Ted Talk - All Student Allyship Resource	Ted Talk: The Danger of Silence By: Clint Smith	Go!
  Trans Students Allyship	10 Misconceptions Every Trans Ally Needs to Understand By: Brynn Tannehill	Go!
  White Allies Resource	White People, Please Stop Declaring Yourself Allies By: Ernest Owens	Go!
  White Allies Resource	The Role of ‘Privileged’ Allies in the Struggle for Social Justice By: Angeliki Fanouria Giannaki	Go!
  Allyship at Work Resource	Allyship in the workplace Ted Talk  By: Melinda Epler	Go!
  The Power Of Diversity	The Key to Unlocking the Power of Diversity By: Sheree Atcheson	Go!
  The Cherokee Removal: A Brief History	A quick look into Cherokee History, accompanied by supporting documents.	Go!

Featured Videos:

"ICC Opening"

"Alliances Open House"

"ICC Open Mic": (Notice: some poetry in this video may contain langauage some viewers may find offensive or inapproriate for minors)   

"Equity In Education" 

 "Undocumented Student Week of Action (Know Your Rights)"