Cultural Competency Certificate

As a College, we recognize the importance of understanding and celebrating other cultures, while acknowledging it is an area where we constantly need to improve. To ensure we’re training leaders who are respectful of differences and prepared to work in diverse environments, we are committee to enhancing the cultural competency of our students.

To achieve this aim, we have partnered with the Department of Multicultural Services to implement a Certificate in Cultural Competency that will integrate programs, courses and service learning into a certificate program to help students prepare for participation in the modern global economy.

Eligibility

To apply for the certificate, a student must be pursuing a major within in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and have at least a 2.0 grade point average.

Application Process

Students interested in the certificate should complete an application and include a statement of why they are interested in this certificate. A committee made up of individuals from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Department of Multicultural Services will evaluate applications based on demonstrated interest in issues of multiculturalism and diversity, as well as the ability to answer all application questions. The committee reserves the right to conduct interviews with applicants to make final selections. Students who are admitted will be assigned an advisor in the Department of Multicultural Services to coordinate the co-curricular requirements of the certificate. The application will be available online at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Department of Multicultural Services websites.

Program Framework

Program Orientation

Every student wanting to enroll in the Cultural Competency Certificate needs to participate in an orientation and a capstone session. The orientation session will be offered a few times during and prior to the semester as needed.

Academic Coursework

The academic component of the certificate consists of the completion of a minimum of 12 hours of courses that contain diversity components, with GPA of 3.0 in those classes.

Service Learning Projects

Service learning is an educational approach that combines service to the community with classroom curricula. It is a hands-on approach to mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility. Students can meet this requirement by completing a minimum of 20 hours in one or two projects. These projects can be paid or unpaid, connected to other classes or certifications, or to other entities outside the university. Students must also submit a reflection paper of their service-learning experience.

Co-Curricular Activities

This component consists of attendance to 10 hours of educational and experiential cultural competency education opportunities offered outside of the classroom by various constituents on or off campus.

To fulfill the co-curricular requirements of the certificate, the students must document their participation in the event, receive the approval of their advisor, and write a reflection piece in their portfolio. Students are expected to cover an array of events and not simply concentrate on a specific area.

Examples Include:
Presentations, workshops and lectures by Department of Multicultural Series
Evans Library Diversity Series, Women’s Studies Lecture Series
NCORE National Conference on Race and Ethnicity
NCBI National Coalition Building Institute
Social Justice Week at Texas A&M
Distinguished Lecture Series
Residence Life Diversity Programs (Tunnel of Oppression)
U-ACT Programs
Women’s Resource Center Programs
Gender Issues Equity Center Programs
Race and Ethnic Studies Programs
Student Government Association Diversity Symposium
Other National and Local Diversity Conference
George Bush Library Programs
SIETAR- Houston
Anthropology Events and Programs
Cultural Day Trips through DMS
Attendance at museums, different religious services, etc
Education Abroad Trips
Participation in International Week (I-Week) or other cultural festivals
Participation in Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, or Black History Month

Capstone Presentation

Upon completing all other requirements of the certificate program, students will register for a capstone presentation. The objective of the capstone is to make connections between classroom and co-curricular activities, provide the opportunity to publicly present the work completed towards the certificate, and reflect on the implications of this work, both personally and globally.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

TAMU RISE: TAMU Race Identity and Social Equity (RISE) Initiative is a yearlong program that provides students with a better understanding of race, identity and social equity in higher education. TAMU RISE includes an annual conference, and a fellowship opportunity which allows selected student leaders to attend the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity known as NCORE, conduct research during fall semester, and present findings to the campus community at the RISE Conference.
ExCEL: Excellence uniting Culture, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL) is a student organization and freshman involvement program designed to help freshmen find academic, social, and personal balance at Texas A&M by fostering a community where they can culturally identify. In addition to an annual conference, ExCEL provides cultural community events, seminar series and more.
CLUES: Culture Leadership Understanding and Exploration for Scholars (CLUES) is a learning community developed by the Department of Multicultural Services and the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. CLUES is a one-year course-credited program for students that focuses on multiculturalism, diversity/cultural sensitivity, and inclusive leadership (ALED 322 and ALED 323).
CommUnity Conversations: The purpose of the CommUnity Conversations is to provide an opportunity to engage the campus community and the community at large, in seminars and guest lectures about current topics related to inclusion and social justice.
CommUnity Dialogue Groups: Community Dialogue Groups encourage conversation across lines of difference with other Aggies. Students participate in weekly 90-minute sessions throughout the semester. Conversation topics include identity, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, ability, socio-economic status, and other topics that the group is interested in discussing.
Cultural Explorations: Cultural Explorations are student experiences, where students explore different cultures through day trips to different cities in Texas. Each trip offers a variety of experiences including, but not limited to, museums, festivals, theater productions, and cultural food experiences.
SCOLA: The Student Conference on Latino Affairs (SCOLA) is a conference featuring a wide array of speakers ranging from national and state, government, business, and media. SCOLA also gives students a forum to discuss significant issues that impact the Latino community.
LEAD Conference: The Leadership Education for APIDA Development (LEAD) Conference strengthens the campus identity and development of Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA) students on campus.
MSC LT Jordan Institute for International Awareness: The MSC LT Jordan Institute for International Awareness is an organization dedicated to providing Texas A&M University and the surrounding community with international exposure through on-campus programming and travel abroad opportunities.
Aggie Black Male Connection (ABMC): ABMC engages Black males at Texas A&M with a variety of developmental, community service, social, and educational activities that build camaraderie among the Black males on campus.
Latino Males United (LMU): LMU is a program which allows Latino males a healthy environment to express relevant issues surrounding their specific community and assists in their holistic development and support at Texas A&M University.
Courageous Conversations: Courageous Conversations is a program designed to positively impact the collegiate experiences of undergraduate women who identify as Asian American, Black and Latina through themed dialogues.

Student Organizations

Aggies to Aggies: A peer diversity education program housed in the Department of Multicultural Services, seeks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our communities. A2A uses an array of activities to enhance students’ understandings of these topics and what it means to be a socially conscious Aggie.
Aggies United: The vision of Aggies United is to develop, educate, and empower the leaders of tomorrow who will make a difference within their communities and on campus through cultural immersion events, service projects, and career development programs.
MSC CAMAC: MSC CAMAC celebrates the richness of all the Hispanic and Latinx cultures represented in Aggieland. MSC CAMAC members produce a huge variety of programs and build strong social and professional networks that give students the tools they need to excel.
MSC Carter G. Woodson Black Awareness Committee (WBAC): WBAC enhances the campus community’s multicultural experience by producing programs encouraging the exploration of African-American heritage, culture, and thought.
Texas A&M MANRRS Chapter: The Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources & Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter at Texas A&M serves as a family and network for minorities studying agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. MANRRS also provides students with opportunities to enhance leadership, organizational, and public speaking skills.
Texas A&M SACNAS Chapter: The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.

Cultural Councils

Asian Presidents Council (APC): APC aims to unite and strengthen the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community and serve as the voice and representative body of the APIDA community at TAMU. APC also serves as a forum for discussion on campus, educational, and cultural issues.
Black Student Alliance Council (BSAC): The purpose of BSAC is to enhance and unify the Black community while making the Texas A&M campus more aware of the accomplishments, achievements and needs of the Black student body. The council also fosters the commitment and investment of students in the Black Aggie Community by serving as an ally and community-building social network.
Hispanic Presidents Council: Hispanic Presidents’ Council seeks to provide a mechanism through which all Hispanics can become full and contributing students of Texas A&M University. To obtain its purpose, the council will promote the awareness of existing Hispanic organizations available to the student body of Texas A&M University.

Community Calendars and Events

Brazos Valley African American Museum

Downtown Bryan

KBTX Community

The Eagle Community

Texas A&M Multicultural Services

Texas A&M Student Activities

MSC LT Jordan Institute

Bush School of Government & Public Service