The MOSAIC department supports students by providing a community and opportunities to grow professionally and academically advocating for students, with an emphasis on students who are minorities.
The MOSAIC office — located in room 102 in the University Center — has a lounge area, two reflection rooms, arts and crafts, board games, a free library, a full-time staff to assist students, personal care products and sexual health products.
The department has five main branches. Multicultural programs, First2Go, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), education abroad and the LGBTQ+ resource center.
Multicultural programs are designed to provide students with an academic and professional toolkit to advance equity at UCCS and in their future lives through workshops, mentorship and field trips.
There are two multicultural programs. The MOSAIC Scholars Program (MSP) and the MOSAIC Gateway Program. Students who complete the MSP receive a letter of recommendation, a MOSAIC graduation stole, a portfolio of their program work and a certificate of completion.
First2Go recognizes and supports first-generation college students at UCCS by hosting events like scholarship workshops and a monthly “coffee and chat.”
ISSS offers support to students who study internationally, including exchange students. They host Curricular Practical Training (CPT) workshops, which teach students with an F-1 visa status about application requirements, steps and timeline.
ISSS includes the Education Abroad program, which helps students navigate the study abroad process, including applications and travel scholarships.
The LGBTQ+ resource center hosts events meant to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while also providing education about the community.
The center also hosts the Safe Zone program, which provides participants with the knowledge and skills to practice allyship and create a positive campus environment.
MOSAIC advises student groups to strengthen campus initiatives and the community. Clubs and organizations include:
- African Student Association (ASA)
- Black Christians at CU (BCCU)
- International Buddy Club
- Feminist Club
- Latinx Student Union
- Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA)
The UCCS budget funds the majority of the organization. They received $150k for education abroad and international student and scholar services, and $264k for MOSAIC, First2Go, and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center in this fiscal year. But they have also received several grants from the CU President’s office, NASPA, TIAA and the Colorado Department of Higher Education, according to Whitley Hadley, the director of MOSAIC.
MOSAIC is also funded by international student fees and education abroad fees.
Created in 2003, MOSAIC was formerly known as the Office of Students Multicultural Affairs (SMA), which advocated for the development and success of ethnic minority students. The department was reenvisioned in 2006 in an effort to involve all students in multicultural education programs.
In 2009, former Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak convened a task force to address the policies and procedures important for LGBTQ students and staff.
Ryan Acker, the executive director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center (PRIDE), supported the task force and helped create the LGBTQ+ resource center in April 2021.
Along with the center, the community space was expanded. Two private reflection rooms were added, and two full-time coordinators and a new director were hired.
Welcome sign to the MOSAIC Center. Photo by Jade Esquibel.