Hello!
Today I would like to address who is waiting for you at LC if you are coming from a minority group!! When I first arrived as a first-generation international student I even didn’t understand what an Academic Catalog was nor how it worked. Even though you may feel prepared for the college experience, we all come from different backgrounds and you could get surprised at how much you don’t know, and that’s not your fault. However, there are people waiting for you that are open to guide you and train you throughout these years.
There are great resources and people that you could be reaching out since the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask any silly question that comes to your mind, you will probably ask them several times and that’s ok!! Believe it or not, I still do it during my senior year.
For new international students, the first people you will want to reach out will be the International Students and Scholars Office (ISS). There you may find familiar faces like Brian White or Bridget Flaherty but you will also find Paola Dennis, our amazing Administrative Specialist!
In the same location, you will also find the Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME) which supports and empowers historically marginalized students at Lewis & Clark College to achieve academic success, persist to graduation, and become critically conscious and inclusive leaders.
Everyone at this office in Tempelton will be open to help you cover every single question you will have while transitioning but also throughout your journey here. Local students that come from unrepresented backgrounds are also encouraged to get involved with these departments. It is great first support where you will surround yourself with people that want to lift you and help you become the better version of yourself throughout your learning experience at Lewis & Clark.
If you are a local student, especially from unrepresented backgrounds, I highly encourage you to look for my previous post about the unions and clubs available on the campus. These social spaces function in the same way as these departments. In fact, you can narrow down interests and find people that you share something in common.
Please check out these links and start connecting with them: