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When you walk around Grand View University’s campus, your ear will catch a wide array of accents and opinions from all over the United States and across the world. Look around, and you will see that these voices belong to a broad spectrum of skin colors, gender expressions, body types and fashion senses. Many clubs and organizations allow students to spend time with others who share common interests and culture. However, there is nothing on campus dedicated to bringing the diversity of the student body into one space.

This year, that will change. Thanks to a partnership between Grand View University’s Multicultural and Community Outreach office and the student government, the Viking Council, a new Multicultural Center will open this fall.

In July 2015, Alex Piedras, director of Grand View University’s Multicultural and Community Outreach, contacted Viking Council President Tre Porter (Sr.) to create a physical space where all are welcome and diversity can be celebrated. Porter and Vice President Jenny Jones (Sr.) jumped at the opportunity to support Peidras’ vision. Porter said it had been brought to his attention that many of Grand View’s international students feel out of place when they first come to campus.

“No student, no matter where you are from or what you look like, ever deserves to feel out of place,” Porter said.

Lizeth Ornelas Salazar (So.) is excited about the new center. Salazar is a member of the Viking Council, president of the Diversity Club, and one of Grand View’s Multicultural Ambassadors.

“It will be a place to gather and talk about diversity and different cultures,” she said. “It’s somewhere you can call home when you’re away from home.”

The new center will house books and movies about different cultures and allow students to educate themselves on diversity. Multicultural speakers and guests will have a concrete location to come and educate students on their views of diversity. The new location will also allow campus clubs to hold meetings, if needed.

“My hope is that it becomes this center of engagement and a place where you can grow roots and say ‘ok, well maybe I’m not that alone here,’” Piedras said. “I’m building all of these connections. Sometimes just sharing some social time with someone in a comforting environment can be so uplifting.”

The Multicultural Center will open this fall on the first floor of Nielsen Hall.