Chapman looks to hire new assistant director for Cross-Cultural Center, first generation programs

To further increase support and resources for minority groups and first-generation college students on campus, the university and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are currently in the process of hiring an assistant director for both the CCC and the Promising Futures Program. Photos by DANIEL PEARSON, staff photographer

Chapman University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) recently opened up recruitment to secure a new position in their department — the assistant director of the Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) and the First-Generation Promising Futures Program (PFP). 

The search for an assistant director is meant to provide students, especially those a part of minority groups and the first generation population, additional resources and support to help them succeed.

Currently overseeing the CCC and the first-generation programs is executive director Araceli Martinez, who began working in her position in June 2022. During her time so far, Martinez has created new programs and opportunities for both first-generation and underrepresented students on campus. 

These programs and opportunities include the CCC Coalition and the CCC mural project.

The application for the new position opened in mid-December and closed on Feb. 1. Currently, in-person interviews are taking place.

“It has been a smooth transition into my role with the support of our previous PFP director and staff,” Martinez told The Panther. “In addition, the support of the DEI department has been outstanding. We support each other in our endeavors to fully support students. The assistant director will be a great addition to our team, and we will be better equipped to assist more students.”

A few of these programs Martinez has created include the CCC Coalition in October 2022, which is meant to give all diversity and affinity organizations a space to collaborate with each other, as well as the CCC mural project, which is still underway.

According to Martinez, the mural project was created to emphasize a sense of community at the CCC. It consists of a mural being created by a California-based artist — with the running being between Damian Lujan, Wonder Crush Murals or OFFWRLD Murals — that will showcase the four key pillars of the CCC: respect, perseverance, resilience and hope. While the date of the mural’s installation is still tentative, Martinez said that it will be displayed within the CCC for all students and faculty to view.

In order for Martinez to continue running the CCC and creating new program opportunities for first-generation and underrepresented students, it was agreed upon by the DEI office this past December that an assistant director was needed to offer her additional help and support. 

“The need of the assistant director was decided by the vice president of DEI and myself,” Martinez said. “Two programs were combined, and building our professional staff for consistent support to students has been a best practice. Creating a sense of belonging and providing an engaging environment for all students to be more aware of our vast diversity is an important topic for myself and whichever candidate takes over the role of assistant director.”

The job posting for the CCC and PFP assistant director position was announced online. The main responsibility of the position as indicated on the posting is for the assistant director to be “responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of programming and direct support services to students and their families as they transition and attend college.”

The application for the new position opened in mid-December and closed Feb. 1. Currently, in-person interviews are taking place. 

According to Martinez, she hopes to have the position filled by the end of March or early April.

Sophomore graphic design major Yandel Salas, who serves as the graphic designer and the interim social media coordinator for the First Generation Ambassadors, shared her expectations for the next CCC and PFP assistant director.

“I hope that the new assistant director is determined and compassionate about what they do and that they have some kind of experience with programming in relation to what we do at the CCC and with PFP,” Salas, who also works as a graphic designer for the CCC, told The Panther. “I know that whoever we bring on will be a great addition to the team, and I hope they can bring their previous experience and ideas to help establish an even more welcoming and diverse perspective to Chapman.”

The two candidates for the assistant director position were brought in for in-person interviews and an open forum on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28.

During the forum, the candidates answered the question, “What are the most important aspects of transitioning incoming first-generation and/or underrepresented students to college life?”

According to Martinez, the individual who is hired for the position should be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and motivated. The individual should also be someone who has had experience working with first-generation and underrepresented student populations before. The new assistant director will collaborate in the development and facilitation of events for the PFP and the CCC to help build community on campus. 

“With a new assistant director coming in, I hope that they will be able to coordinate with other clubs to create ‘bigger’ programs and events for the first generation and underrepresented communities at Chapman,” said junior political science and peace studies double major Mariana Juarez. 

“I have always thought of the CCC as a comfortable place to be in, and I hope that the new assistant director will continue to help create that comforting space for students.”