About Us

Our Mission

The UCSD Cross-Cultural Center is dedicated to supporting the needs of UCSD’s diverse student, staff and faculty communities. Our mission is to create a learning environment in which the entire campus community feels welcome. Within this charge, and in collaboration with existing campus programs, the Cross-Cultural Center's priority is to:

1. Facilitate the academic, professional and personal development of students, staff and faculty who are members of historically under-represented groups

2. Provide programs and services to foster discussions on issues related to the creation of a multi-ethnic, culturally conscious university

Our Objectives

We strive for Cross-Cultural understanding and appreciation of all our diverse histories and experiences.

We promote:

• Meaningful dialogues across ethnic and cultural lines while providing support for single group interest.
• Access to higher education and other retention efforts which encourage the success, and educational and professional development of all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
• Cross-Cultural programs to the larger San Diego community which enhance the community involvement and academic mission of UCSD students, staff and faculty through programming, symposia, internships and skills development activities.
• Guidance, training, and support to other campus units towards the accomplishment of a vision of equity, equality and diversity.

History of the Cross-Cultural Center

The Cross-Cultural Center at UCSD (est. 1995) is grounded in a long history of student, staff, and faculty activism. Though most UC campuses founded cross-/multi-cultural centers in the early 1970's, UCSD did not recognize the importance of such a center as a tool for recruitment and retention, largely because of undeveloped relationships with surrounding communities (especially African American and Chicano/Latino).

In the mid-1990s, the shrinking numbers of students from under-represented groups and a national climate increasingly hostile to people of color strained race relations on campus. A coalition of student of color orgs and other concerned students, staff, and faculty began to insist more forcefully on the need for a Cross-Cultural Center. After town meetings and demonstrations, a task force/Chancellor steering committee was formed.

The CCC was born from student & community movements. Our continued success is directly grounded in the hard work and dedication of these and future generations. (Excerpts from Dr. Jorge Mariscal)