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High school students
Calvin offers a variety of programs that give students from diverse backgrounds access to the college learning environment while still in high school.
Entrada
The Entrada Scholars Program at Calvin University is a four-week summer immersion program that offers racial and ethnic minority high school juniors and seniors a gateway to the future: the opportunity to experience college living and learning while earning college credit. (Grades 11–12)
Excel SAT/ACT Tutoring
With a goal of increasing students’ college readiness, College Access hires Calvin students to provide for six weeks to local high school students. (Grades 9–12)
Future students
Diversity scholarships
Various scholarships are awarded to students from North American ethnic minority groups and other students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Selection for these awards is based on information provided on Calvin’s application for admission.
International admissions
Calvin’s international admissions office supports international students as they go through the college admissions process, including applying for financial aid. This office also coordinates immigration for international students who are admitted to the college.
Current students
John M. Perkins Leadership Fellows
This leadership development and scholarship program is for first-generation college students. Program courses and activities cultivate Christian leaders who work toward solutions for poverty, injustice, racial reconciliation and materialism in our multicultural world.
Off-campus programs
With over forty study abroad options offered by Calvin each year, a large number of Calvin students gain global experience by studying in different countries for a semester or during the January (or May) interim.
Grassroots Living-Learning Community
The Grassroots Living-Learning community in the residence halls focuses on cultivating ethnic identities in Christ. Students on the Grassroots floor explore issues like racism, ethnic identity and social justice through a course, regular meetings and sharing meals together.
Disability Services
Disability Services is a place for students with disabilities to get the necessary assistance that they need in order to succeed in college. They provide services to students with diagnosed visual impairments, learning disabilities, mobility impairments, hearing impairments, chronic health conditions (including allergies), psychological disabilities and temporary disabilities so they may enjoy a complete range of academic and non-academic opportunities.
Multicultural Student Development Office
The Multicultural Student Development Office (MSDO) creates a campus community where students from all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. This office offers leadership opportunities, mentoring, support services, multicultural programming and anti-racism education.
Programming includes:
- UNLEARN Week
- Poetry Jam
- Multicultural Activity Coordinators in residence halls
- Mentoring
- Intercultural Happy Hour
- Fellowship groups for Latino/as, AHANA men and African-American women
International Student Development Office
This office welcomes and supports Calvin students from around the world. It provides an orientation program to help ease the transition to the U.S., as well as other support services to help international students succeed throughout the year.
Programming includes:
- International Passport orientation
- Dinners, banquets and retreats
- Fall Chicago trip
- Rangeela
- Mentoring
- Immigration support
Cross-cultural engagement core curriculum requirement
Calvin’s core curriculum mandates that all students have experiences that allow them to engage deeply with different cultures. The requirement is fulfilled by many of Calvin’s existing courses, as well as many study abroad programs. Students may also design their own cross-cultural experiences that, if approved, can meet this requirement.
Faculty & Staff
Cultural Competency Professional Development
“Deepen understanding within the Calvin community of diversity, inclusive excellence, cultural competency, and global awareness” is a goal identified in the current strategic plan. To accomplish this goal, all employees of the college are asked to participate in cultural competency professional development activities on an annual basis. Activities offered by the college include, but are not limited to, anti-racism training, book groups, workshops on micro-aggressions, and cultural competency assessments.
From Every Nation Award for Excellence in Teaching
The annual From Every Nation Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes innovative and effective efforts by Calvin College faculty to promote a multicultural, anti-racist curriculum. It rewards the development and utilization of creative, original, effective teaching and materials that reflect any of the themes of FEN.
Reconciliation and Restoration Book Group
Regular reading groups for Calvin faculty and staff discuss one central theme of From Every Nation through various selected texts. Thoughtful discussion and reflection empower individuals in Calvin’s community to actively work toward a restored multicultural campus.