NC State University Student Centers at NC State University is the 2015 recipient of the Edwin R. Golden Award for Inclusive Excellence given by the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS).
This award recognizes outstanding campus leadership, activities, and/or programs promoting cultural awareness and inclusion.
From groundbreaking in 2011 to completion in 2015, Talley Student Union at NC State University has been renovated with one clear goal: to create an inclusive space for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors from all walks of life.
“Great care has been taken in the creation of diverse campus community centers including GLBT Center, Women’s Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, and Chaplains’ Cooperative Ministry, explained Tim Hogan, director of the NC State NC State University Student Centers.
Elizabeth Snively, marketing manager for the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, added: “The campus community centers hum and thrive on a daily basis with their service to a diverse campus population that includes undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and community members. They provide a rich array of programs, events and support services throughout the academic year.”
Diversity is expressed throughout the union; taking different shapes and forms. The Cultural Hearth, which serves as a center for diversity-related programs has become a community hub for many campus groups. One Earth World Cuisine, which serves foods from various cultures and ethnicities, as well as customized catering for any dietary, religious or cultural group request. This award adds to the list of accolades the Union has received since since its Phase I opening in October 2013.
“The old Talley was very transactional, It wasn’t a place to hang out, “ added Hogan. “Now it’s a serves as a second home, and students have immediately taken advantage of the space that’s available.”
Hogan and Dr. TJ Willis, assistant director of NC State University Student Centers, were invited to present at the NACAS National Conference on November 2 in San Antonio, Texas.
NC State University Student Centers is a department of Campus Enterprises, the lead division for retail and hospitality on the NC State campus.