We've compiled this list of campus offices and organizations that support students of diverse backgrounds. To suggest an organization or office not listed here, please contact the MCB DEI Committee. For wellness resources, please visit our Health & Wellbeing page.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is committed to maintaining an inclusive educational environment for students of all religious backgrounds, and to upholding Illinois law requiring the University to reasonably accommodate its students’ religious beliefs, observances, and practices concerning admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements. Please visit the Office of the Dean of Students resource page for resources ranging from an interfaith calendar to best practices for accommodations. 

Campus DEI offices   Cultural centers   Organizations

Campus offices

Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion focuses on making Illinois a place where all people can achieve their full potential as students, faculty, and staff. Staff work in areas of accessibility and accommodations, affirmative action, discrimination and harassment prevention, and Title IX.

Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations

The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations connects students with cultural centers on campus, including the Asian American Cultural Center, the Bruce B. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, DiversityEd, International Education, the LGBT Resource Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, the Native American House, and the Women’s Resource Center. In addition, this office sponsors events on diversity, social justice, and cultural understanding, and facilitates a variety of workshops and training programs.

Office of Minority Student Affairs

Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) is part of Student Affairs, and staff offer services to enhance the academic achievement, personal development, and graduation rates of first generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students at Illinois.

Graduate College Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Graduate College’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion provides internal and external fellowship support and programs for graduate students.

Open Illinois (DACA & undocumented students)

The Open Illinois office provides information, resources and guidance for undocumented students, DACA recipients and those affected by immigration reform.

Office of the Dean of Students

The Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) includes a variety of offices of interest to students:
Student Assistance Center 

Emergency Dean

Student Conflict Resolution

Student Legal Services

Off-Campus Community Living

and the Student-Parents at Illinois Council, which is committed to the success of student-parents at Illinois.

 

Cultural centers & houses

Asian American Cultural Center

The University of Illinois has one of the largest and most vibrant Asian American university communities in the Midwest, where almost 40% of students are of Asian descent. Open since Fall 2005, the Asian American Cultural Center provides the University of Illinois community with space to gather and share experiences of our diverse and rich cultures. As a unit of the Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations, the AACC promotes cross-cultural understanding that supports the academic and personal growth of students, along with learning experiences that help shape a lifetime commitment to ethical and engaged citizenship.

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

The mission of Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center is to provide programs and services that assist with the cultural, personal, and professional development of students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We are intentional about our work regarding the development of students within the African Diaspora, and therefore we place a special emphasis on our role in developing these students. Moreover, we eagerly collaborate with student organizations, campus departments, and community stakeholders to achieve our mission. 

Opened in the fall of 1969 in response to calls from African American students, the former Afro-American Program at Illinois was rededicated in 2004 to honor the late Bruce D. Nesbitt, the longest-serving director in the history of the program. Learn more about us.

Chez Veterans Center

The Chez Veterans Center offer academic coaching services as well as individual and family counseling. The Chez Center works to maximize VA benefits and make the transition to college easier.

 

La Casa Cultural Latina

Since its founding in 1974, La Casa Cultural Latina at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Latina/o students and the campus community, as well as local and global communities.

La Casa reflects the diversity of Latina/o cultures and exemplifies el éxito Latino that shapes the Americas in our contemporary world.

The mission of La Casa Cultural Latina is to promote a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere through the development of educational, cultural, socio-political, and social programs that lead to greater recruitment, retention, advancement, and empowerment of Latina/o students. Learn more about us.

LGBT Resource Center

The mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is to foster an environment that is open, safe, and inclusive for people of all sexualities and gender identities. The center is a resource not only for the LGBT community but for the entire University of Illinois community. The LGBT Resource Center seeks to help in the efforts to address homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexist attitudes and beliefs on the campus, and to work to make the environment safe and affirming for all students, faculty, staff, and LGBT students, faculty, and staff at the University of Illinois in particular. Learn more about us.

Native American House

Native American House serves as a support and resource center for Native American students, including all students and the campus. Specifically, Native American House provides events and programs throughout the year that allow students the opportunity to enrich their cultural and academic experiences at the University of Illinois. While fostering a university community that values and actively supports inclusiveness and diversity, the support provided for students ensures a rewarding educational experience.

Come see us and learn about the services that the Native American House has to offer.

Salaam Middle East and North Africa Cultural Center

The Salaam Middle East and North Africa Cultural Center opened in 2023. The center is located at 700 S. Gregory St., Suite E, Urbana, and is currently open from Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Like the other cultural and resource centers on our campus, the center offers students the ability to host events, meetings, and guests and provide a space where students can build community, relax, and be themselves.

Women's Resources Center

Since its founding in 2009, the Women’s Resources Center has been committed to supporting womxn students, while catalyzing the development of their personal and professional selves. Staff are committed to supporting and actualizing liberation in all aspects of the Center’s work, striving for greater equity, retention, advancement, and empowerment of womxm students, staff, and faculty.

The mission of the Women's Resources Center is to improve the campus climate for womxn students, which we do by developing and implementing programs that address social issues through an intersectional lens. We work collaboratively with individuals and groups to identify personal, social, economic and political issues that adversely affect womxn, and offers support through advocacy, education, financial awards, and social action. 

The center also serves as the designated provider of confidential advising services, offering advocacy and support services to students, faculty, and staff who have experienced sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, and/or dating/domestic violence).

Supporting Organizations

American Medical Women’s Association at UIUC

According to the American Medical Women’s Association's UIUC website, AMWA is "a national organization open to any woman interested in or part of the medical field. The members of the AMWA national branch at UIUC are required to become members of the national organization. This membership provides numerous benefits, including but not limited to physician mentorship opportunities and discounts on Kaplan test preparation. American Medical Women's Association is comprised of physicians, residents, medical students, undergraduate students, and health care professionals.  AMWA is the only multispecialty organization dedicated to advancing women in medicine and improving women's health. The American Medical Women's Association empowers women to lead in improving health for all within a model that reflects the unique perspective of women. It functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women's health.  They achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances. The AMWA chapter at UIUC aspires to promote advancement in the medical field for women, help them find opportunities (volunteer, research, etc.), educate other women regarding the scope of the medical field, and prepare them for admission into graduate school (medical school, physician assistant school, dental school, etc.)."

Illini Chabad Center for Jewish Life

According to the organization's website, "the Illini Chabad Jewish Center was established in August 2003. Our aim is to give meaning, share joy and add spirituality to the every day. Our dream is to teach these values in a warm and nurturing environment where people can grow together, enjoying life and Judaism simultaneously.

Chabad recognizes all, regardless of affiliation, background or levels of observances."

Illini Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

According to the organization's website, "Hillel, the foundation for Jewish campus life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, aims to create a pluralistic environment that both welcomes and engages as many students as possible to explore and celebrate Judaism. Hillel at the University of Illinois is an accredited foundation of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life."

Illinois Interfaith Initiatives

Since 2011, the Illinois Interfaith Planning Initiative has worked to create programs designed to invite interfaith engagement, understanding, and cooperation for the University of Illinois community. Regular events include a collaborative interfaith planning group hosts regular interfaith series of programs, including a monthly “First Tuesday” interfaith dialogue and an annual conference on college student interfaith engagement. Partners in this effort include the Office of Volunteer Programs, University Housing, Diversity & Social Justice Education, Hillel Center for Jewish Life, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Muslim Students’ Association. For more information on current events, follow the Illinois Interfaith Facebook page.

Minorities in Health Sciences

Minorities in Health Sciences is here to provide guidance and academic support to students pursuing a health-related field. We assist health major students by providing opportunities and activities that will enhance their qualifications and increase competitiveness in the application process for graduate and health schools. Whether you’re any one of the numerous pre-health fields or pursuing a graduate education in the health field, we are here for you. Through volunteering opportunities, socials, workshops, guest speakers, student panels, and great leadership opportunities, we hope to create an environment where each of our members can feel welcome and achieve their academic and professional goals.

 

NOBCCE (Illinois National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Student Chapter)

The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers Student Chapter (NOBCChE Student Chapter) is dedicated to assisting black and other minority students and professionals in fully realizing their potential in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits in chemistry, chemical engineering, and allied fields. 

 

Out in Chemistry UIUC

The mission of the Out in Chem student group is to promote and advocate for the interests of the LGBTQ+ members of the UIUC chemistry department by organizing activities for community development, providing support for students, and showcasing positive role models in the scientific community. All LGBTQ+ and allied graduate students and postdocs are welcome to participate in its public events! Contact OIC at outinchemuiuc@gmail.com for more information or follow them on Twitter.

Pre-Health Latino Undergraduate Society

The purpose of the Pre-Health Latino Undergraduate Society (PLUS) is to acknowledge the health needs of the Latino community, as well as to promote the interests and support of those undergraduate pre-health students who identify themselves as Latino students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign through social, cultural, educational, political and other activities.

 

Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

SACNAS is a professional organization aimed at encouraging minorities, especially Native Americans and Latinos to pursue graduate studies in science/technology/engineering/mathematics (STEM) sciences. On campus, the group is composed of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty. For more information on the local SACNAS chapter, visit their websiteemail them, or join on Facebook. There is also a national SACNAS organization.

Society of Women Engineers

The Society of Women Engineers is a technical, professional, social, and outreach organization at Illinois, and is part of a larger organization with over 14,000 members nationally. Popular events include Girl Scout Workshops, a Night of Networking providing corporate workshops and career opportunities, a barn dance, semi-formal, and a yearly technical project competition. In addition to events on campus, becoming a national member of SWE allows you to attend national and regional conferences and pursue many scholarship opportunities. SWE is the largest engineering organization on campus, and provide a great support system for women in engineering.

UIUC Muslim Student Association

According to the organization's website, "the Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a registered student organization at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. It is a social group for Muslim students on campus to become close to one another; a means by which Muslim students maintain and increase their faith in a college environment as well as an expression of their creativity and ideas; a tool by which people on campus can learn about Islam and its beauty. Above all, the MSA is the stepping stone by which students learn the techniques, develop the motivation, and acquire the passion to commit their lives for the sake of Allah and Allah alone."