The Intercultural Center is located in the Highsmith Student Union on the first floor in Room 114. The mission of the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Intercultural Center is to create an inclusive and culturally diverse environment on campus while providing academic, co-curricular, and outreach services for underrepresented students. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is in the Intercultural Center along with the Center for Diversity Education. Multicultural Affairs organizes and promotes diverse events such as lectures, concerts, conferences, leadership workshops, educational/ recreational trips, and career building experiences, which are inclusive and enlightening. Latino, Native American, Black History, Women’s History, and Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage months are celebrated in collaboration with respective student organizations. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) programs are also offered. The department presents programming that helps all UNC Asheville students develop a clearer understanding of world views that influence their work and relationships.
Three signature programs are Connections Peer Mentoring Program, Safe Zone and Multicultural Leadership Council. Connections program is specifically for new UNC Asheville freshmen, transfer students and first generation students who identify as Native American/Alaskan Native, African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino, or multiracial. Mentors orient their mentees to the campus community and educate them on the programs and services provided by the Intercultural Center. The purpose of the Safe Zone Program is to create a network of allies and resources for the LGBTQ communities at UNC Asheville and enhance continued sensitivity and understanding of the larger umbrella of non-normative sexual identities and gender expressions. Multicultural Leadership Council is comprised of UNC Asheville students to work on diversity issues on campus.