Greetings Colleagues,

My name is Marquis L. Bennett and I am the Chair of the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs, affectionately known as CMA.

Currently, I work as the Associate Director of Student Affairs/Campus Life at The Pennsylvania State University-Hazleton. My responsibilities include residence life, intramural sports, student activities, judicial affairs and a host of others. However, my passion has always been in multicultural affairs. It is because of that passion that I humbly accepted the role as Chair.

It is my hope that CMA continue to make an intentional effort to make its presence felt more impactful throughout the Association (ACPA). What that will look like will depend on the work that is put forth by our members. We have a wealth of culture, a breadth of knowledge, and a will to transcend that should be shared and developed within every aspect of ACPA.

The core of our committee lies with its members. Our members not only serve as part of the CMA Directorate but also as members of our five networks: Asian Pacific American Network, Latin@ Network, Multiracial Network, Native American Network, and the Pan African Network.  The five networks work both individually and together to promote CMA’s Core Values:

• Celebration: Continuing to celebrate the accomplishments of people of color within student affairs and higher education;

• Advocacy: Striving to provide an inclusive environment in higher education, responsive to the needs and identities of its members;

• Recognition: Recognizing the diversity present within communities of color and higher education communities;

• Education: Continuing to raise awareness about multicultural education and the concerns of people of color within student affairs and higher education;

• Support: Supporting the ongoing goal of inclusion, understanding and dignity in student affairs and higher education.

I encourage you to stand with us as we make the journey towards Baltimore in 2011 and beyond. My great mentor from days gone past once told me “I will use you where you are,” and I too have adopted this axiom. For I recognize that as a volunteer organization, we must prioritize our commitments. To this end, I am asking that you do the following:

1. Research CMA. The history of this organization is rich and diverse. We began in ACPA as the Task Force on Race and the College Community and have since grown into the Committee that you will come to love. Study the core values, internalize them and decide what they mean to you.

2. Join us on our list-serves. Every network has a plethora of information that they share within the Association. Be a part of that experience and don’t allow yourself to miss out on the opportunity to fellowship with us. Respond when there are requests for assistance. Offer your insight. We believe that your experiences are valuable. Share your knowledge and/or write for our newsletter; let us know what you are thinking.

3. Join us in Baltimore. Whether it is for a day or for the entire week, you will be able to see first-hand the wonderful work that CMA does in its effort to help serve our students. You can actively participate by submitting program proposals for Baltimore. Take a stance and be a part of what we do to enhance our student voice.

Your commitment will be invaluable, your experience immeasurable, and your reward incalculable. So join CMA because we are you, we are your family.

Sincerely,

Marquis L. Bennett

Click here to view vision statements [PDF: 257KB)