Identity Based Initiatives

The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services seeks to address the needs of the Asian Pacific Islander (API) student population at the University of Cincinnati. The Office of Ethnic Programs and Serivces fosters a community through collaborating with partners on and off campus to enhance Asian Pacific Islander initiatives on campus. Programs include the Asian Student Welcome, celebration of the Lunar New Year, and the creation of an Asian Pacific ISlander staff and faculty affinity group.

BEARchats seeks to foster and develop friendships between and across cultures. An international conversation partners program, BEARchats pairs international and domestic students together, facilitating opportunities to learn new and different languages, cultures, and take part in activities and outings created and facilitated by the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services.

The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services plays an active role in addressing the needs of the Latino student population, while partnering with key stake holders in the community, and across campus to enrich the Latino student experience at the University of Cincinnati. Several programs, including the Bienvenidos-Latino Student Welcome and Hispanic Heritage Month, are included within Latino Initiatives within the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services.

During the month of November, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services organizes programs and events for Native American Heritage Month to provide a platform for students and community members of Native American heritage to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, ways, and concepts of life.

In an effort to support our undocumented and DACA students, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services offers various trainings that focus on undocumented immigrant students (also referred to as DACA students or DREAMers) and the unique challenges they face on and off campus.

The Office of Ethnic Programs and Services organizes its annual WorldFest week late February - early March to create spaces in which students, staff, and faculty of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds can express, share, advocate for, and celebrate their cultural and ethnic heritage at the University of Cincinnati. Various student organizations, offices, and community partners come together and showcase their events during this week.