Programs and Initiatives
Call Me MiSTER®
Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models
Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models was founded at Clemson University in 2000 to address the critical shortage of minority male teachers in America’s classrooms. The mission of the program is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background, particularly among the lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and educationally at-risk communities. Northwestern State University has a rich legacy of teacher preparation and is proud to partner with Clemson University to fulfill this goal.
Cultural Bridge Builders
“Together We Learn”
Mission Statement: At NSU Cultural Bridge Builders, our mission is to foster understanding, respect, and unity among the diverse tapestry of our university community. We are committed to bridging cultural gaps and promoting inclusivity through education, dialogue, and collaboration.
We strive to:
- Educate: We serve as peer educators, offering valuable insights into different cultures, perspectives, and identities, empowering our fellow students to become culturally competent and socially aware individuals.
- Connect: We create a welcoming space where students from all backgrounds can come together, share their stories, and build meaningful connections that transcend cultural boundaries.
- Advocate: We advocate for belonging on our campus, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that NSU is a place where everyone feels valued and heard.
- Celebrate: We celebrate the richness of our diverse community by organizing events, workshops, and activities that showcase the beauty of our differences and the strength of our unity.
- Inspire: We inspire positive change by challenging stereotypes, promoting social justice, and encouraging empathy and active allyship among our peers.
Through these efforts, NSU Cultural Bridge Builders aims to create a campus environment where every student can thrive, learn, and contribute to a harmonious society.
Expectations:
Attend biweekly meetings
Organize and execute work shops
Participate in campaigns and outreach
Engaging in advocacy and allyship
Assisting with CID events as needed
Engage in intergroup and intragroup dialogue
Listen respectfully and give constructive feedback
TEAMWORK
Join our team! Apply to be a cultural bridge builder following the link below!
Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS)
The Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) is designed to raise awareness and facilitate growth among NSU constituents. We want to enhance understanding, engage community members in positive dialogue and create respectful, safe environments for all.
The Benefits of Attending a Seminar
- Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding on current topics
- Raise awareness of the value of collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences, and ideas.
- Become more self-aware of how your actions may affect others
- Develop inclusive thinking and inclusive actions, which leads to a more positive, productive work environment for everyone.
How will we achieve this goal?
Through one hour long interactive workshops on various topics throughout the academic year facilitated by trained peers, faculty and staff will be presented with the following:
- relevant information, research, and definitions
- engaging element exercises to encourage active participation
- case studies to provide real life scenarios and foster dialogue
- training tools like worksheets, handouts, or quizzes to put learning into action
- resources like videos, books, websites and more to enhance the training program
- tips and building blocks tailored to assisting applying this knowledge in the collegiate atmosphere
Session Schedule
January
Implicit Bias-Zachary Veuleman
Natchitoches Campus
January 30, 2025
12:00pm
Student Union President’s Room
February
Spirituality- Dr. Katrina Jordan
Natchitoches Campus
February 20, 2025
11:00pm
Student Union President’s Room
March
LGBTQIA+ Issues-Dr. Kathrine Gentry
Natchitoches Campus
March 6, 2025
11:00am
WebEx
Social Justice- Ventric Fletcher
Natchitoches Campus
March 12, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Student Union President’s Room
April
Experiential Diversity- Dr. Jasmine Wise
Natchitoches Campus
April 17, 2025
11:00AM
Student Union President’s Room
Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) Students
The Northwestern Inclusive Coaching Seminar Series (NICSS) is designed to raise awareness and facilitate growth among NSU constituents. We want to enhance understanding, engage community members in positive dialogue and create respectful, safe environments for all.
The Benefits of Attending a Seminar
- Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding on current topics
- Raise awareness of the value of collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences, and ideas.
- Become more self-aware of how your actions may affect others
- Develop inclusive thinking and inclusive actions, which leads to a more positive, productive work environment for everyone.
How will we achieve this goal?
Through one hour long interactive workshops on various topics throughout the academic year facilitated by trained peers, faculty and staff will be presented with the following:
- relevant information, research, and definitions
- engaging element exercises to encourage active participation
- case studies to provide real life scenarios and foster dialogue
- training tools like worksheets, handouts, or quizzes to put learning into action
- resources like videos, books, websites and more to enhance the training program
- tips and building blocks tailored to assisting applying this knowledge in the collegiate atmosphere
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are paramount to the success of our institution. The Center for Inclusion and Diversity is prepared to offer you opportunities to learn about diverse topics in safe spaces. Our facilitators are poised and trained to provide invaluable information. Please schedule a session at your earliest convenience: NICSS Session Request Form.
Session descriptions
