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“With so much diversity on campus among the students, staff, and alumni, we all seem to have a family bond that bleeds maroon.” Lynnsee Cress CLASS OF ’20
Eastern Kentucky University celebrates and welcomes diversity. Each individual student brings a unique perspective and background enriching our campus culture and community. At EKU, you’ll find a sense of belonging and connection. You’ll broaden your horizons, make lifelong friends, and be part of a community of like-minded students, faculty and staff. Take advantage of the services and support systems available to you. In the next pages of this guide, you’ll learn about opportunities available to EKU students of varying identities and abilities to include: African American, Hispanic and Latino, international, LGBTQIA+, Deaf and hard of hearing, and students with disabilities. In addition, EKU offers culturally-enriching academic programs (page 11), and provides an abundance of resources (page 12) and scholarships (page 14) with you in mind. When you’re ready to take the next steps and apply, refer to page 15 for guidance. Your journey starts here.
WELCOME 2
TO EKU
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COMMUNITY Our Latino community at EKU is active, vibrant and tight-knit. Students produce and participate in many events and projects, from street fairs to panels on immigration policy. Here are just a few ways you can get involved and have fun: • The Latino Student Association • Latino Heritage Month • Latino Street Fair • Spanish Conversation Hour (La Mesa de Español) • Actividades Bilingues (Bilingual Activities)
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Several student organizations are available for African American students, including the African Student Association,
HISPANIC + LATINO STUDENTS
BOBBY VERDUGO & YOLI RIOS BILINGUAL PEER MENTOR AND TUTORING CENTER Bilingual tutoring is available for all students. El Centro provides an extra resource for ESL students to successfully transition and integrate to campus.
centro-de-tutoria-bobby-verdugo.eku.edu MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL The Multicultural Greek Council coordinates the activities of its member chapters (Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity), promotes involvement, supports development of chapters and enhances cultural awareness.
greeklife.eku.edu/multicultural-greek-council
Black Christian Students in Action (BCSIA), and Black Student Union, among others.
studentlife.eku.edu GREEK LIFE The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. Currently, EKU has eight NPHC chapters: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities; and Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities.
greeklife.eku.edu/NPHC CENTER FOR INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT The Center for Inclusive Excellence and Global Engagement works with students and the EKU community to retain underrepresented minority students by creating an inclusive environment where they can thrive, by celebrating their national and international cultures and supporting their personal and professional development. This 7000-square-foot safe space for students of color is centrally located in the Powell Student Center.
inclusive.eku.edu
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ENROLLMENT SERVICES The Office of Enrollment Management Operations and Communications supports international students from the
INTER NATIONAL STUDENTS
application process to settling in on campus.
international.eku.edu INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION ISA helps incoming international students in their adjustment to college abroad. It provides an opportunity to connect with campus life, stimulate friendships and further language growth.
isa.eku.edu SUPPORT WITHOUT BORDERS Support Without Borders is a support group for international students and/or for students who have family members without documentation.
counselingcenter.eku.edu
LGBTQIA+ STUDENTS
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT GROUPS The Center for Inclusive Excellence and Global Engagement, and its LGBTQ+ Initiatives office, provide a space for students to feel safe and included, plus a staff advocate dedicated to their needs. These needs include navigating identity, academics, health and wellbeing, belonging and many more. The Alphabet Center is the LGBTQ+ Registered Student Organization (RSO) at EKU. The organization prioritizes belonging, advocacy and student engagement. Closet TRANSform is a donation-run clothes closet offering students the opportunity to update their wardrobe. Support groups run by, or in partnership with, the Counseling Center support students at any stage of the coming out process.
PROGRAMS Queer Mentors pairs incoming, returning Sophomore and transfer students with more experienced students. Lavender Graduation is a pre-commencement ceremony which celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates in an intimate setting among peers and allies. Regular educational and social programming at the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Global Engagement provides LGBTQ+ students opportunities to relax, make friends and connect with mentors and other resources.
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CENTER FOR ACCESSIBILITY
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
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DEAF+ HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS
The Center for Student Accessibility provides consultations, accommodation assistance, support, academic coaching and tutoring to benefit academic performance for students with disabilities.
SUPPORT SERVICES Several support services are available for students with disabilities, including videophone locations; psychology clinic; counseling center; support services for writing, communication and research at the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity; Speech-Language Hearing Clinic and tutoring services; among others.
Learn more at accessibility.eku.edu
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION ASLA strives to increase the understanding, respect and equality of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people, while encouraging students of all levels to get involved and stay connected with the Deaf community.
go.eku.edu/asla INTERPRETING SERVICES Students can request an English to ASL interpreter for classes and events.
aslie.eku.edu/request Learn More at accessibility.eku.edu or aslie.eku.edu
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“My favorite EKU memory was traveling with the AFA department to tour the African American History museum — an opportunity I would not have had without being an EKU student and taking an AFA course.”
Earn a degree, certificate or minor, or take a class as an elective, from one of EKU’s several culturally-enriching and diversityfocused academic departments.
Carly Walls
AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
CLASS OF ’20
In the AFA Department, students engage with the histories, stories, and experiences of Africans and peoples of African descent around the world. Students can earn a minor or certificate in African or African American studies.
afastudies.eku.edu AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETER EDUCATION ASLIE strives to promote equality and respect of deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people and their diverse communities. Students can earn a degree in interpreting or a minor in ASL Studies.
aslie.eku.edu APPALACHIAN STUDIES Appalachian Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to the internal and external definitions of the Appalachian region and its place in a national and global context. The program offers an undergraduate minor and a certificate.
appalachianstudies.eku.edu LANGUAGES, CULTURES AND HUMANITIES This department offers degrees, minors, certificates and courses in language, literature and culture to help students become more culturally literate.
foreignlanguages.eku.edu WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES Learn about the growing research on the intersection of gender, race, class, sexualities and abilities, through active and social engagement. Students can earn a minor or certificate in women and gender studies.
wgs.eku.edu
DIVERSE
Explore academic programs at programs.eku.edu
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ACADEMIC PROGAMS
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EKU COUNSELING CENTER Visit the counseling center for free counseling sessions, group therapy, stress management workshops and more.
counselingcenter.eku.edu THE FRESHMAN ACADEMY FOR DIVERSE STUDENTS
GET INVOLVED
The Freshman Academy provides first-year minority students with information, encouragement and direction to navigate college life.
freshmanacademy.eku.edu LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES These themed floors and residence halls bring together students who share majors and interests.
housing.eku.edu/living-learning-communities MCNAIR SCHOLARS This federally-funded program encourages and assists talented undergraduates who are committed to achieving doctoral degrees.
mcnair.eku.edu NOVA NOVA helps first-generation and lower-income students build academic, time management and communication skills with one-on-one support and study-abroad programs.
nova.eku.edu CENTER FOR INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE The Center for Inclusive Excellence encourages a campus environment that embraces diversity, promotes inclusion and inspires students to grow personally and academically.
inclusive.eku.edu STUDENT LIFE & FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE Student Life & First-Year Experience is home to a variety of registered student organizations and events focused on diversity and leadership.
studentlife.eku.edu STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER This one-stop shop helps students with anything they need, from study tips to stress management.
successcenter.eku.edu
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SCHOLARSHIPS In addition to automatic merit scholarships based on your high school GPA and standardized test scores, several diversity scholarships are available.
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
RODNEY GROSS SCHOLARS
This scholarship supports students who are pursuing their first undergraduate or graduate degree. Awards start at $1,000 and are distributed based on academic achievement, letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
There are several scholarships available through the EKU Foundation, including those reserved for minority students and students from diverse backgrounds.
go.eku.edu/rodneygross
go.eku.edu/dfs
This $2,000 award assists students seeking to become the first in their family to earn a college degree. Serving this population has been at the heart of EKU’s mission for more than a century.
NEW HORIZONS MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship provides financial assistance to first-time freshman applicants based on their leadership and involvement in school and community programs, academic performance and letters of recommendation.
APPLY NOW
TRAILBLAZER SCHOLARSHIP
go.eku.edu/trailblazer
go.eku.edu/newhorizons
APPLY FRESHMAN ADMISSION STANDARDS
Those who meet the following benchmarks will be guaranteed admission to EKU as a first-time freshman:
Standard Admission: High School Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
IMPORTANT DEADLINES Please keep the following deadlines in mind when considering applying to EKU so you don’t miss your opportunity to be a Colonel:
July 1 Application for Fall 2022 opens Early January Housing application opens Febuary New Student Orientation sign-ups open Ready to apply? Please note the following information: ACT Code: 1512 SAT Code: 1200 FAFSA Code: 001963 Apply quickly and easily online at go.eku.edu/apply.
Success First: High School Cumulative GPA 2.0-2.49 Learn more about your admission eligibility at go.eku.edu/ freshmen. Applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT REQUIREMENTS Freshmen • go.eku.edu/FreshmanInternational Transfer • go.eku.edu/TransferInternational For further questions, contact admissions@eku.edu.
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FOLLOW EKU ADMISSIONS! @EKUAdmissions
EKUStories
Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts, or in any employment policy or practice. Any complaint arising by reason of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 416 Jones Building, CPO 37, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, Kentucky 40475-3102, (859) 622-8020 or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. 20202 1-800-421-3481 (V), 1-800-877-8339 (TDD). Five-year employment rate reported by Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, 2014. 2020_AMS_InclusiveExcellence_MT01