Your browser is unsupported

We recommend using the latest version of IE11, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

CCUSC

Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change

 

The Arab American Cultural Center promotes the social and academic well-being of Arab American students, staff, and faculty. It seeks to enhance cultural awareness, facilitate dialogue, and foster interaction among the diverse groups at UIC. Through an array of cultural and educational programs, the Arab American Cultural Center sustains an inclusive campus community where human differences are embraced. The Center is also a resource for students, staff, and faculty desiring engagement with Chicago’s Arab American communities and organizations.

 

The Asian American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC) offers social, cultural, and educational programs that promote knowledge of and foster engagement with issues related to Asian Americans and Asian American studies. Their co-curricular programs and collaborations with other campus units ensure that the needs of Asian American students are met. AARCC also serves as a resource for the campus to engage with Chicago’s Asian American communities and organizations.

 

The Disability Cultural Center (DCC) offers public programs, discussion series, arts-based workshops, and one-on-one support — as we work to engage an understanding of disability as a social justice issue and a site for identity, community, and culture. The DCC welcomes students, staff, faculty, community members; Disabled, Deaf, Sick, and Mad people; nondisabled allies/accomplices; people with conditions who may or may not identify as disabled; and people who are thinking through their relationship to disability identity.

 

The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) facilitates educational and cultural programs related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied (LGBTQA) people and issues. The GSC hosts events throughout the year including the Rainbow Social, heritage programs, and Lavender Graduation. The GSC also provides Safe Zone training to campus and community members. The GSC’s work, in collaboration with many other campus units, has resulted in UIC being recently named one of the Top 25 LGBTQ-friendliest campuses in the country.

 

The Latino Cultural Center (LCC) works to expand the understanding of Latino cultures as well as to ensure that Latino/a students have a positive self-defined identity. The LCC also provides students with practical tools to help them graduate, join the workforce, and become the next generation of leaders, through  cultural and artistic programs, intercultural dialogues, and educational workshops. The LCC collaborates with other units on campus and community organizations to improve the lives of Latinos at UIC and in local communities.

 

The Women’s Leadership and Resource Center (WLRC) facilitates women’s advancement, growth, and development through programming, advocacy, policy development, and institutional interventions. WLRC also oversees the Campus Advocacy Network (CAN) that provides advocacy for UIC students, staff, and faculty who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and hate crimes. WLRC/CAN collaborates with various campus units and advises several student groups, including Men Against Sexual Violence and UIC Pride, among others.

CCUSC Collaborations:

Abolition and Disability Justice Heading link

Collaboration with the African American Cultural Center and Disability Cultural Center

Co-sponsored by the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (DPOCC) & National Black Deaf Advocates

Abolition and Disability Justice

Heritage Garden Internship Heading link

The UIC Heritage Garden Internship is a hands-on learning project where students work with faculty, staff, and community members to connect horticulture with environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social justice

Heritage Garden Internship

Know Your Rights Heading link

The Center’s hosted discussions intended to help members of the community better understand their civil liberties beyond a legal framework.

Know Your Rights

Remagining Masculinities Initiative Heading link

The Reimagining Masculinities Initiative (RMI) is a collaborative project between the Centers that strives to cultivate, support, affirm, and create male allies and advocates.

Remagining Masculinities Initiative