Fostering Diversity on Campus

Through many programs and initiatives, Hofstra encourages diversity and diversity awareness among faculty, students and staff.

• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program - (CSTEP)
  The Hofstra University CSTEP program is designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who enroll in undergraduate or graduate programs leading to professional license or to careers in mathematics, science, technology, and health related fields. The program provides tutorial assistance, advising, counseling, internships and research opportunities. Eighty one students (81) are currently enrolled in the program.
• NOAH Program
  The New Opportunities At Hofstra program, established in 1964, was one of the first programs in the country designed to assist underrepresented students with admission and study at a university. Since its inception, the program has had a successful graduation percentage and its alumnus have gone one to achieve high academic success understanding that "If there is no struggle, there is no progress - Frederick Douglass".
• Student Services
  Hofstra's campus means plenty of resources for student life and big-time choices for their downtime with an always expanding array of intramural sports and activities. Offices and services are available to help you in and out of the classroom. A home away from home that will help you find your edge.
  • Student Affairs' Office of Multicultural and International Students Programs
    Through this office, Hofstra sponsors programs designed to ensure that the University remains a diverse campus and embraces its multicultural identity:
    • Heritage Months
      The office coordinates four month-long series of events devoted to Hispanic Heritage, Black History, Women's History, and Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage.
      • Hispanic Heritage Month
      • LGBTQ History Month
    • Diversity Awareness Month
      November is Diversity Awareness Month, which is dedicated to the recognition and celebration of human difference as defined by race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, religion, geographic affiliation and citizenship.
    • The Diversity-Dialogue-Desserts Series is a discussion-oriented forum regarding various issues of diversity in our world today. Each program is hosted by a Hofstra student, faculty or staff member. We encourage all members of the Hofstra community to participate in these campus conversations.
    • Student Clubs
      This office advises many of Hofstra's student clubs and organizations that foster a cultural identity, including the African Caribbean Society, Hofstra Organization of Latin Americans, Women of Action, NAACP and Hofstra (International) Organization of International Students.
    • Diversity Training and Education
      Through the Office of Multicultural and International Students Programs, Hofstra provides workshops and diversity training to student affairs personnel, resident assistants, orientation leaders, fraternity and sorority leaders, and many other groups on campus. Some of the programs offered by the Office include: "Creating a Safe Space for the LGBTQ Student and Staff Community," "Understanding White Privilege," "Multicultural Competence Training," "Dismantling Stereotypes," and "Confronting Racism."
    • Chaplain's Office
      The Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant chaplains at Hofstra University work closely with one another and with students to offer a wide variety of exciting programs. Some of these activities include social events, dinners, religious services, celebration of holidays, guest speakers, community service projects, informal discussions, study groups, regional and national conferences, retreats and much more. The chaplains are also available for religious guidance and informal personal and academic counseling.
  • Living Learning Communities:  First-year students have the opportunity to participate in one of the eight living learning communities located in the Netherlands Complex. Some of the living learning communities have associated clusters or seminar associated with them in the First Year Connections program and some are based on students academic interests or if they have passion on a specific theme that is offered in this program. For the 2010-2011 academic year, the living learning communities are: American Politics, Arts, Civic Engagement, Environmental Sustainability, Health Sciences, Leadership, Math, Science & Engineering and Wellness.
  • Theme Housing: Upperclass students have an opportunity to create a theme based on their common educational, social, or extracurricular interests and have the opportunity to live together on campus in Nassau Hall. Theme Housing allows current students to create a community with their friends from classes, clubs, fraternities, sororities, and other campus organizations. During the 2010-2011 academic year, students selected to live together in the following themes: Civic Engagement, Cultural Cooking, Dress For Success, Health Sciences, Generation to Fix America and Health Sciences.
  • Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
    This office arranges academic accommodations and provides support for students with physical, learning and/or psychological disabilities. It replaces the services formerly provided by the PHED program (Program for Higher Education of the Disabled), and by PALS (Program for Academic Learning Skills). SSD programs and services promote universal design, equal opportunity and disability awareness campus wide. Our most recent outreach initiatives include:
    • The establishment of the Autism Spectrum Taskforce, which brings together representatives from all areas of the university to develop programming designed to meet the needs of one of the fastest growing populations of college students.
    • A project-based collaboration with the Career Center and the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling to coordinate services that will increase the employability of students with disabilities upon graduation.
  • Black and Hispanic Alumni Association
    Hofstra University Black Hispanic Alumni Association (BHAA) was established in 1990 to support African American and Latino students through scholarships and mentoring programs. BHAA has established a visible and thriving graduate network which recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni and provides networking opportunities.
  • Hofstra Cultural Center
    The Center is an internationally renowned organization that includes a conference and symposium component, a music program and the publication of the proceedings of its conferences and symposia. The activities of the Hofstra Cultural Center augment the offerings of the academic departments of the University and develops educational programs related to the cultural and interdisciplinary experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni and international scholars.
  • Hofstra University Museum Diversity Intiative
    • Cultural Diversity Awareness Program
      Using the rich resources of the Hofstra University Museum's collection, this program features a series of posters, located at key on-campus locations, that highlight works of art from around the world while introducing students and visitors to the art, geography and history of various cultures.
    • Person of Color Sculpture
      A committee comprised of students, faculty, administration and staff was formed to oversee the selection of an outdoor sculpture for the Hofstra campus that reflected diversity and the accomplishments of people of color. After a national competition, the bronze sculpture Frederick Douglas Circle by artist Vinnie Bagwell was chosen. Now part of the Hofstra University Museum's collection and located in the Monroe Center Courtyard on the South Campus, it commemorates one of the most prominent figures in African American and United States history, who was a steadfast believer in the equality of all people.
  • Center for Civic Engagement (CCE)
    • Crossing Borders Training
      Developed in conjunction with the Diversity Task Force, this series of events for Hofstra student leaders fosters sustained work and friendship relations between students of varying ethnic/religious/racial backgrounds.
    • Hofstra - Togo Partnership
      In collaboration with the University of Lomé in Togo, Plan International, and students at Roosevelt Middle School, Hofstra University's Center for Civic Engagement will work on two projects: the Development Initiative in Togo and the Green Future Alliance. These projects will enable students in both nations to learn how to organize, implement and maintain sustainable ecology projects as they learn about the culture, resources and politics of each country.
  • School of Law
    Hailed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the most diverse law schools in the country, Hofstra Law proudly reports that well above a quarter of our student body self identifies as members of under represented minority groups.
    • Student Organizations - The Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Latino/a Law Students Association, South Asian Law Students Association, Hofstra Law Women, and OutLaw organizations are an integral part of the Law School's support for diverse communities. These organizations are involved in educational programming to raise awareness about the barriers their membership continues to experience in the legal and business world. Among their programming is the highly regarded Law School's Diversity Orientation Weekend in August and regular panel discussions on minorities in the legal profession, many of which bring our successful alumni back to campus. Our alumni continue to actively support their respective affinity groups.
    • Diversifying the Legal Profession - In addition to programs on-campus, Hofstra Law School is proud to be involved in numerous efforts to diversify the legal profession. The Law School is a member of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) and the New York Legal Education Opportunity Program (NYLEO). The Office of Career Services is also actively involved in the New York City Bar Association Diversity Fellowship steering committee.
    • Alumni Diversity Committee - This committee consists of alumni representatives from various minority student groups and is helping the Law School to attract, retain, and provide job opportunities for minority students.
  • Center for Public Archaeology
    The Center for Public Archaeology at Hofstra University is devoted to engaging students and the greater community in thinking critically about modern social contexts and the historical and material structures that helped shape them. By creating continuity and context through the analysis of materials operating at various scales of time, place, events, and roles, archaeology informs not only an understanding of the beginnings of today's communities, but also how people both in the past and today negotiate communities across class, racial, ethnic, and gendered lines.
  • Address to New Students - January 26, 2009
    Welcome Week - Message from Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.
  • Address to New Students - August 28, 2009
    Welcome Week - Message from Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.
  • Address to New Students - August 27, 2010
    Welcome Week - Message from Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.