Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

Students are encouraged to work together to create an inclusive learning community at the University of South Carolina.

Upcoming Events

March 5 - Blair Imani

Blair Imani is Black, Queer, and Muslim. In addition to being a writer, public speaker, and ambassador of Muslims for Progressive Values, one of the oldest progressive Muslim organizations to support the LGBTQ+ community, Imani is a published author, with her premiere book Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History.

March 11-15 - Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour

Visit sites of historical importance to the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee, Alabama (Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery and Tuskegee) and Georgia (Atlanta). In addition, you will work within the various communities at different sites related to the Civil Rights Movement.

March 29 - Diversity Retreat

During this weekend-long retreat focused on diversity and leadership, participants will examine the meaning of social change and develop an action plan to bring back to their community.

Black History Month: Reclaiming Our Story

View a calendar of events [pdf]

Date + Location	Event	Description
Feb. 28 6-8 p.m. RHUU Ballroom C	We Wear the Mask	We Wear the Mask is an event that allows students and invited guests to share their experiences of "double-consciousness" and/or being a student of color on this campus. Performers will share their story through artistic expression such as poetry, spoken word, and music. The title, We Wear the Mask, is taken from a famous poem written by Paul Lawrence Dunbar where he explores the cost of hiding one's true self behind a smiling mask. This event is sponsored by BlackSpace, a community building group for Black students at USC, with collaboration from Healthy Carolina and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. If you are interested in performing, please contact April Scott at ScottA2@mailbox.sc.edu

Leadership Opportunities

MAPP Mentors

The Multicultural Assistance Peer Program (MAPP) is a program designed to assist first year multicultural students in their transition to the University of South Carolina. The program works to establish positive networks for the student’s matriculation; academically, socially and culturally.

OMSA Peer Educators

The OMSA Peer Educators are a cohort of students committed to educating, serving, and advocating for their fellow students and the University community in matters of inclusivity and advocacy through providing opportunities for learning, facilitating self-discovery, and empowering students in the creation of an inclusive Carolina community. OPE’s assist OMSA with facilitating presentations and discussion groups, and also with other volunteer opportunities that arise throughout the school-year.

Organizations and Support

Multicultural Assistance Peer Program (MAPP)

New students are paired with a peer mentor to help with their transition to campus.

LGBTQ+ Resources

Information and services for students who don't identify with normative notions of gender or sexual orientation.

Black Male Initiative

This program supports students who identify as men of color with workshops, mentor relationships and self-reflection.

Social Justice Program

A certificate program for students who want to become more involved in their community.

OMSA Peer Educators

Trained student facilitators who lead social justice discussions and activities.

Organizations

We have a variety of student-led groups who are moving equality efforts forward.

Join the OMSA mailing list to receive the latest announcements in your inbox.

Advocating for Cultural Understanding

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.