The Center for International Affairs' Cultural Celebrations Series Wins Major Campus Diversity Award

The Cultural Celebrations Series, a partnership between the Center for International Affairs, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of the Provost, and First Year Experience received this year's coveted Diversity Collaboration Excellence Award at the Annual Diversity Achievement Awards Luncheon on April 19th.

The Series, implemented in 2016, attracts the CWRU and local communities to join in celebrations of holidays around the world. The events, celebrating Lunar New Year, Holi (pictured above), and Mid-Autumn Festival, not only serve as support for our international students, who can become homesick around the major holidays, but also provide an opportunity for everyone to share in the heritage of fellow CWRU community members and participate in global experiences on campus. Read more about the 2017 award winners here. 

Former Undersecretary of State Headlines the 2017 International Achievement Dinner 

Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs in the Obama Administration, delivered the keynote speech at last Thursday's International Achievement Dinner.



The annual dinner celebrates the international achievements of the Case Western Reserve community. Ambassador Sherman spoke about the future of foreign policy in the age of the new administration and engaged in a lively question and answer session with the audience. Prior to speaking at the dinner, Ambassador Sherman participated in a student meet and greet arranged by the Department of Political Sciences. 

University Community Unites in Support of International Students

International students at Case Western Reserve University represent more than 75 countries. While global engagement has long been a university priority, this year's federal developments have catalyzed campus-wide efforts to ensure that students from other countries know that they are valued and celebrated at CWRU. 


The Center for International Affairs has led much of these efforts, launching the successful #YouAreWelcomeHereCWRU campaign in February that included a kickoff celebration attended by hundreds and a call for videos/photos of support. Community members from across campus spread the #YouAreWelcomeHere in a widely shared four-minute video. 

"I greatly appreciate all of the attempts for providing a supporting environment at CWRU," said Reza Erfani, President of the Case Iranian Society . "I would like to convey that it meant a lot to us."

Students believe that the campaign has the potential to take on new forms and make a lasting impact. "It will encourage more students, especially domestic students, to get to know the international students here on campus and to hear their voices," said Amy Qin, President of International Club. 

You can read more coverage of the #YouAreWelcomeHereCWRU campaign and what the community is doing to support international students in the daily.