At The University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW), one of our core values is to create a community that reflects the diversity of the Body of Christ by becoming Christ's ambassadors of reconciliation, intentionally seeking to promote Christian unity in our community, particularly with respect to issues of racial, cultural and ethnic diversity, and biblical reconciliation.
The staff of C-GRACE advances this mission of the university by coordinating programs, services, and resources that celebrate and nurture culturally, racially, ethnically, and globally diverse and transformative learning environments for all members of the UNW community. Our caring and qualified staff also advises and supports international and immigrant students, students who have grown up living in one or more cultures, and students of color in the areas of academic, cultural, spiritual, and personal growth.
Center for GRACE Offices are located in the Billy Graham Community Life Commons office G111. Students are welcome to stop by any time or call 651-631-5481 or 651-631-5229. If you have any questions or concerns that are not answered in this handbook or need clarification on any information provided, do not hesitate to contact the C-GRACE staff or your mentor for help.
International and Multicultural New Student Orientation is a three-day orientation at the beginning of the academic year, providing students and their families with tools for adjusting to campus life and resources for academic success, as well as the opportunity to meet other students and begin the process of making new friends.
Multicultural Student Services supports students of color by providing access to important resources, helping with cultural adjustment, advocating for unique needs, building relationships with students, and planning valuable programs designed to promote intercultural learning and biblical reconciliation on campus. Each student is connected with an upper-class student mentor who becomes a friendly, reliable and trustworthy source of information and support.
International Student Services assists international students in their adjustment to university in the U.S. by providing spiritual, social and academic support to help them integrate into all aspects of university life, assisting them to apply their learning to their own lives, vocation, and cultural contexts, and to share their cultures with the community. Each international student is connected with an upper-class student mentor who becomes a friendly, reliable and trustworthy source of information and support.
International Family Friendship Program connects international students with families of Northwestern faculty and staff to provide a "home away from home" and nurture cross-cultural friendships and support.
Intercultural Student Organizations and Clubs
C-GRACE is home to a growing number of organizations devoted to reconciliation and the celebration of God's cultural diversity.
- Fellowship of Reconciling Cultures Everywhere (FORCE) is an open social support network for all students who wish to learn about different cultures and educate others about their own cultures. Through intercultural programs, the students of FORCE work to create biblical unity by holding campus-wide events such as the Annual Multicultural Festival, discussion groups, regular coffee houses, "open mic" nights, performances, and retreats that engage students in building cultural awareness and reconciliation.
- Mu Kappa is an international association of students who have lived overseas in one or more cultures. Mu Kappa allows "third culture" and "missionary kids" (TCK/MK) to join with others to find support in the transitions to university life and U.S. culture. Game nights, dinners, retreats, cultural celebration, and a range of other activities are held regularly.
- Antioch House is a culturally and racially diverse community that operates within the biblical guidelines of a covenant agreement for living, learning, and serving together. Students participate in community activities and Bible studies related to issues of biblical reconciliation and learning what it means to live with and support those who are culturally different from themselves.
Study Abroad Services provides education abroad and off-campus study advising, cultural resources, as well as pre-departure and re-entry support services for students studying in another culture or country.
Student assistance is of primary importance in achieving success at The University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) and beyond. It is quite common in the U.S. for students and others to seek assistance concerning personal matters that, in other cultures, might be discussed only within your family. All problems and matters of personal concern will be considered confidential and will not be discussed with other people without the student’s permission, unless laws of the U.S. or regulations of the school require it. It is essential that students seek the appropriate faculty/staff person when they first become aware that a problem might be developing. Do not wait until the problem has become so serious that it may be impossible to fix or address.
The following people and offices will be happy to help you:
Dr. David Fenrick
Director of C-GRACE—addresses student issues related to cultural adjustment, connecting to academic support or other services.
Office location: G109
Phone: 651-631-5229
Debra Voight
DSO (Designated School Official)/International Student Advisor—available to advise and assist with matters regarding immigration issues.
Office location: Registrar’s Office, N2134
Phone: 651-631-5334
Financial Aid Office—Financial Assistance
Office location: N1118
Phone: 651-631-5212
David Golias and Eliel Gebru
Culture & Language Training Instructor/Academic Support Specialist—assists and advises with academic/cultural/language issues and special needs.
Office location: N4237 & 4230
Phone: 651-286-7446
FORCE (Fellowship of Reconciling Cultures Everywhere)
Official Student Organization and Student Representation—plans multicultural events and is the voice for students on issues of culture and race
Office location: G123
Phone: 651-631-7638