Wilmington College was founded in 1870 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), who are known for the promotion of the ideals of social justice, peacemaking, respect for all persons and the equality of all people. The College still strives to incorporate each of these qualities throughout its campus-wide programs. The Office of Mission, Values and Purpose coordinates educational, cultural, and social programs designed to educate and inspire all students. Our mission is to promote an inclusive college climate by acting as an educational resource that prepares students to succeed in a diverse society. Additionally, this office serves as a resource for the entire campus community, while providing multicultural students and their families with a direct and centralized connection to Wilmington College. All are welcome to stop by and discuss concerns related to race, gender, religion, sexuality, or ability.
Asian Student Association (ASA)
The purpose of the Asian Student Association is to unify students of Wilmington College by promoting awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Asian cultures and histories. The organization will discuss and address concerns relevant to Asian and Asian‑American students (in collaboration with the Office of Multicultural Affairs), plan and implement culturally enriching programs, and support efforts to enhance the recruitment and retention of Asian students, as well as other underrepresented groups.
Black Student Initiative (BSI)
Concerned Black Students (CBS) started in the 1970s to help students of color feel accepted on Wilmington College campus. Shortly after its formation, students of the organization occupied College Hall during the president's inauguration day. The students’ protest was to bring awareness of the lack of financial aid distribution and other resources for students of color. If it wasn't for those students that protested in the 70s, students of color would not have the opportunities we do today. Twenty-four years later, with the introduction of the Multicultural Student Union, Concerned Black Students (CBS) was rebranded as Black Student Initiative (BSI). BSI seeks to unify students from all backgrounds, with a focus on inclusion and belonging for African-American students, to express, celebrate, and share their heritage. BSI sponsors a wide variety of programs for the campus and surrounding community.
EmpowHer
EmpowHer exists to uplift, support, and empower women students by fostering a community grounded in confidence, leadership, and personal growth. The organization provides opportunities for members to develop their voices, explore their identities, and engage in meaningful dialogue. EmpowHer is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all women feel valued, respected, and inspired to lead with purpose and achieve their fullest potential.
Indigenous Student Association (ISA)
The Indigenous Student Association strives to foster harmony among all students at Wilmington College. With Southwest Ohio being an area rich in Native American culture, students of WC formed the Indigenous Student Association (ISA). With ISA being the most internally diverse of all of WC’s cultural organizations, their purpose is to provide students, with native ties or not, with an opportunity to explore and discover the vast beauty of the Native American heritage. This is done via both on and off campus events and programming.
International Club
Wilmington College's International Club is designed to benefit both international students and the general population of American students and serves to enhance the institution's embracing of diversity. The Club is open to both international and domestic students and seeks to share an appreciation for cultures found outside southwest Ohio and also to help introduce those students from outside the area to the uniqueness of Wilmington and Clinton County. The Club meets regularly for Sunday afternoon excursions to such destinations as museums, professional sporting events, i-MAX films, canoeing, international festivals, unique attractions and international cuisine. The Club has given back to the campus by hosting the popular International Food Festivals, which typically draw 200-plus from the College community, as well as presenting special programs highlighting international travel and cultures.
Jewish Culture Club (JCC)
JCC is a student group that seeks to unite students of Wilmington College interested in sharing, celebrating, and learning about Jewish and Israeli culture. The purpose of JCC is to provide all interested students, Jewish or not, with an opportunity to interact and promote cultural awareness and reaffirmation through events and programming. Through the organization and its members, JCC hopes to foster solidarity among Jewish students and harmony among all students at Wilmington College.
Latinx Student Association (LSA)
LSA is a group composed of all students with various backgrounds and ethnicities! This group was started by Latinx students to bring awareness to the Hispanic community. We strive to learn, give, and bring more information to campus about the Hispanic culture. LSA sponsors several events throughout the year with the hopes of bringing multiple cultures together and to spread information about our heritage.
WC Pride
WC PRIDE is an organization that strives to give both queer individuals and allies a place where they can feel safe to express their identity. WC PRIDE strives to educate others and themselves, by raising awareness about sexual and gender identities, and working with other campus groups towards eliminating intolerance and prejudice. While we plan fun events to break up our schoolwork on campus, we also like to observe issues both on and off campus and practice activism.
WC Votes
WC Votes is Wilmington College’s non-partisan civic engagement initiative dedicated to increasing student voter registration, education, and participation. Rooted in the College’s Quaker values of integrity, equality, service, and social justice, WC Votes provides students with accessible, unbiased resources that empower them to actively engage in the democratic process.
WC Connect
This program is designed to make an underrepresented student’s transition to college a successful one. This program matches incoming students with returning student leaders who have received training to serve as mentors. “Connect” is the operative term for this program as our mission is to connect with the incoming student and assist them to connect with the WC campus and resources. Many of our current student leaders are products of this program.
WC Multicultural Activities and Annual Celebrations
- Martin Luther King Celebration
- Black History Month Activities
- Women’s History Month Activities
- Westheimer Peace Symposium
- The International Jam
- Group Outings
- Leadership Conferences
- Various Guest Speakers