Multicultural and Leadership Development Center

Empowering Leaders and Embracing Diversity

We cultivate a campus-wide community that celebrates diversity, empowers students to grow beyond their personal barriers, strengthens their understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develops leadership skills.

Our Vision

We nurture culturally responsive stewards through the power of conscientious service, social justice, and inclusive leadership.

Our Mission

We use the strength of education, to transform lives through self-discovery and empowerment. We seek to inspire actions that promote community, inclusion, and social responsibility utilizing solution-focused thinking.

MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Experiences LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Experiences

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Come Experience The Center, an Authentic Place Where You Can Find a Home and Guidance in Your Continuous Journey of Growth into a Better Version of Yourself.

Provide Optimal Experiences
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Empower Through Education
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Act with Integrity to Protect, Advocate, and Sustain
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We partner in the commitment to develop leadership credibility through the practice and understanding of ethical and moral decision-making as revealed through our stewardship of resources and environmental responsibility.
Positive Disregard to the Conventional
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Educational Priority: Active participation in Multicultural Development experiences result in advocacy for social justice and global stewardship. Individuals will develop skills for lifelong learning that leads them on a journey of self-discovery to increase their awareness, understanding, and appreciation for cultural differences.

Self-Discovery & Empowerment
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Develop a holistic understanding of personal and social identity through experiences and self-reflection.

Individuals will...
- Develop an understanding of their role as members of multiple cultural groups in society.
- Recognize that multiple identities intersect and interact with each other, creating unique and complex experiences for each individual.
- Be able to identify and consider how power and privilege impacts individuals and communities at-large.
- Discover their purpose and articulate their passion areas by engaging in dialogue and self-reflection.
- Develop skills to confidently advocate for self with courage, respect, dignity, and tenacity.
Mutual Respect
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Develop an understanding and appreciation of others.

Individuals will...
- Be empowered to express pride and confidence without denying the dignity and value of others.
- Embrace diversity through respect, understanding, and connection.
- Demonstrate civil discourse through free and open exchange of ideas with others.
Globally Engaged Stewards
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Learn about social responsibility within communities through service, advocacy, and activism and will commit to serving as champions of change.

Individuals will...
- Develop an understanding of inclusive communities.
- Have the ability to conduct a multi-perspective analysis of local, global, international, and intercultural problems.
- Be able to learn, identify, and reflect on systemic and institutional injustices.
- Recognize their own responsibility to stand up to exclusion, prejudice, and injustice.
- Be empowered to develop equity-minded strategies to hold others accountable.
- Gain skills to advocate and be of service to organizations within their campus and communities.
- Understand the role of an ally and how to serve as one.
Emotional Intelligence
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Build an understanding and awareness of relationships and their functionality in order to practice effective collaboration.

Individuals will...
- Develop an understanding of how emotional intelligence impacts collaboration with others.
- Have an enhanced understanding of emotional and social awareness by utilizing techniques to recognize the emotional state and triggers of others.
- Be able to develop healthy behaviors and establish boundaries.
- Develop attributes to help discern other’s emotions, perspectives and take active interest in their concerns and emotional well-being.
- Learn and display empathy for others and their experiences while withholding judgment.
Cross Cultural Communication
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Learn to effectively engage in dialogue and build relationships through differences and commonalities.

Individuals will...
- Develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills to interact in culturally diverse groups toward a common goal.
- Increase meaningful interpersonal relationships with individuals from various backgrounds.
- Develop skills to engage in dialogue about the history and lived experiences of others.
- Be open-minded to the exchange of ideas, forms of expressions, and beliefs.
- Develop skills to engage in meaningful and significant interactions across differences through intergroup dialogue.
Resiliency
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Learn to use dialogue and reflection to grow through and overcome obstacles and realize accomplishments.

Individuals will...
- Be able to evaluate when and how to take a stand against bias and injustice in their everyday lives.
- Gain skills to comfortably use personal experiences and storytelling as a way to educate and shed light on injustices faced by individuals because of one’s identity group(s).
- Learn to implement self-care practices and strategies as a way to increase the ability to recover from difficulties.

Educational Priority: As a result of active participation in Leadership Development experiences, individuals will develop holistically to transform communities by serving as ethical and tenacious leaders of today.

Leadership Principles
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Explore and learn various leadership concepts, skills, and styles, and effectively apply them to individual, group, and community settings.

Individuals will...
- Apply learned information, theories, and experiences to real life circumstances.
- Formulate new ideas about leadership from concepts, resources, and experiences.
- Identify strategies for success through demonstrated solution-based thinking, autonomy, and accountability.
- Collect and analyze data in order to make ethical and moral decisions to create a communal culture of continuous improvement.
Self-Discovery & Empowerment
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Identify personal elements that will lead to drive and purpose through self-reflection.

Individuals will...
- Identify personal beliefs, values, strengths, and the impact of one’s social identities.
- Implement strategies for personal goal-setting.
- Confidently articulate one’s leadership. experiences.
- Individuals can seek to formulate growth and change through the guidance of constructive feedback.
Community Dynamics
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Nurture inclusive relationships and effectively collaborate to achieve common goals.

Individuals will...
- Explore opportunities to connect with diverse individuals toward common goals.
- Implement effective cross-cultural communication strategies to build inclusive relationships.
- Respect diverse viewpoints and cultures.
- Recognize and maximize individuals’ strengths in communal settings.
Globally Engaged Stewards
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Will learn about their social responsibility to their communities and commit to serving as champions of change.

Individuals will...
- Understand how concepts of power, privilege, and oppression affect leadership opportunities.
- Utilize personal strengths and abilities to assist with others’ personal development.
- Demonstrate resilience through adversity by engaging in advocacy and service to their communities.
- Identify opportunities to provide service to foster and sustain a thriving community.
- Recognize and challenge the unethical viewpoints, behaviors and decisions of others.

“Outside of serving as an Orientation Leader, Alternative Break with the Multicultural and Leadership Development Center served as a highlight of my journey here at Florida Gulf Coast University. MLD gives you a chance to be who you want to be and do what you want to do. The support system is strong and we are One Big Family. MLD isn’t the physical space, it is the connection with everyone, it’s a good representation of what FGCU should stand for: inclusivity, authenticity, a place where you can grow and be yourself.”

Cedric Dunham (he/him/his) Integrated Studies, Class of 2021

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“MLD was the one place on campus where I saw many people like myself, not just those visiting the center but within the staff- there was representation. MLD offered many programs to increase social understanding and self-awareness of privileges one may hold. The very first program I got involved in was Emerging Eagles my first year at FGCU. This program truly opened my eyes to how anyone can be a leader, as there isn’t one set mold to be a leader at FGCU or in your own life. MLD quickly became my home away from home, from my first year through graduation!”

Karla Moreno-Perez (she/her/hers) Forensic Studies, Alumna Class of 2020

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“[The Multicultural and Leadership Development Center] has allowed me to grow as a leader by giving me the tools to find my own personal leadership style and [explore] what works and doesn’t work for me as an individual… I continue to stay involved because it has a variety of positions that one can grow in, plus the people are amazing, caring, and always ready to listen and help you through your growth journey…Try at least one of the things that [The Multicultural and Leadership Development Center] offers. You will gain valuable skills that will be useful in your day to day life, you will learn a lot about yourself and others, and you will have a lot of fun while doing it.”

Marena Sanoja (she/her/hers) Psychology, Class of 2023

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“MLD has opened my eyes to numerous views and cultures that helped me adapt to the university. It is the glue that keeps FGCU together. Showcasing different speakers, events, and programs that advance our leadership skills while promoting diversity and inclusivity. I first got involved with MLD at Frosh Mosh 2019. It was my first college event that brought a diverse group of individuals together and built a bond between us all that I’ll never forget. After Frosh Mosh, I continued on my MLD journey to Emerging Eagles, Beyond the Lines, and Leadership Academy. This journey has brought me full circle to where I am now, a Frosh Mosh 2020 Peer Mentor. MLD has helped me enhance my leadership abilities and gifted me friends that I can gladly call my second family.”

Mason Werksman (he/him/his) Criminal Justice, Class of 2023

Frosh Mosh Program
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The Frosh Mosh Program is a semester-long experience that allows students to become acclimated to life at FGCU while learning about new opportunities and building community. Students participate in a three-day immersive weekend during the summer that introduces them to social justice issues and leadership concepts through guided discussions and activities. Throughout this experience, participants will be led by a Peer Mentor and will continue their growth and development through the Fall semester.

Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors

Looking for a way to become an FGCU student leader? Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors are a group of students trained as peer educators who are comfortable in facilitating topics around diversity, social justice and leadership. The goal of each Frosh Mosh Peer Mentor is to build a relationship with their student mentee group, work towards a smooth transition, and foster the growth in each of their mentees leadership potential. We hire new Frosh Mosh Peer Mentors annually in the months of October/November.

Meet the MLD Team
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Alexandra Pipitone (she, her, hers)

Assistant Dean, Director of the Multicultural & Leadership Development Center

Office: Cohen 285

Phone: 239-590-7836

E-mail: apipitone@fgcu.edu

Eve Olvera (she, her, hers)

Administrative Specialist

Office: Cohen 254

Phone: 239-590-7948

E-mail: eolvera@fgcu.edu

Saül Laguerre (he/him/his)

Assistant Director, Leadership Development Initiatives

Office: Cohen 275

Phone: 239-590-1857

E-mail: slaguerre@fgcu.edu

Alejandro Salais (he, him, él)

Coordinator, Leadership Development

Office: Cohen 276

Phone: 239-590-7921

E-mail: asalais@fgcu.edu

Travell 'T.O.' Oakes (he, him, his)

Senior Assistant Director, Multicultural Development Initiatives

Office: Cohen 274

Phone: 239-590-1852

E-mail: toakes@fgcu.edu

Vacant

Coordinator, Multicultural Development

Office: Cohen 273

Designed for You | Our Students

The Multicultural & Leadership Development Center exists to educate, challenge and support students in leadership development and appreciating diversity.

We accomplish this by providing high-impact programs and retreats that address intellectual growth, personal leadership styles, understanding of self, effective communication, community building, exploring social identities, multicultural competencies, career readiness and inclusive excellence.

Visit us — we will empower you and give you the confidence to soar as a leader.

Connect. Learn. Grow.

Check out our events on Eagle Link

Spotlight | Embark Program

The Embark Program is designed to support FGCU juniors and seniors as they reflect on the impact their leadership experiences have played in their personal and professional growth. Upperclassmen will identify ways and opportunities to articulate and market their leadership experiences while expanding their personal and professional development in order to continue their leadership journey beyond life after college.

Embark participants will...

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Contact Details

Multicultural & Leadership Development

Cohen Student Union 255

10501 S. FGCU Blvd. S.

Ft. Myers, FL 33965

239-590-7990 | Contact Us

Office Hours
Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Follow us on Instagram: @fgcu_MLD