Heading into 2025, Indiana Wesleyan University’s Intercultural and Global Office (IGO) has many exciting events on the way.
Some of the events this semester include a Chinese New Year dinner, men of color retreat, Beyond Borders, Multicultural Worship and many workshops.
Mario Rangel, Executive Director of Intercultural and Global Office (IGO) oversees multiple aspects of IGO including the student intercultural ambassadors.
“My favorite, favorite, favorite part is that I get to work with students that I see were in my shoes when I was that age. I like to pick out those students, make contact with them and help them be successful through the programs and initiatives that we have here,” Rangel said.
Cole Bradburn is one of IGO’s student intercultural ambassadors.
“We have the three C’s, which are: cultivate belonging, celebrate diversity and create opportunity. And that’s something we all really value as IGO ambassadors,” Bradburn said.
Bradburn grew up in Eastern Asia and planned the Chinese New Year dinner.
“Chinese New Year is a big event, and I’m from Eastern Asia, so they kind of just let me take reins over it, and I’m just doing it like how I remember seeing it when I lived over there,” Bradburn said.
Students and community members could enjoy Chinese dishes, prizes, and a Chinese dragon.
“Why are multicultural events even a thing? Even if you don’t understand, I would say, have an open mind,” Rangel said.
IGO works to provide spaces where culture is celebrated.
IGO ambassadors Donna Duquene and Amani Johnson emphasized this mission.
“Our Lighthouse is always open every day during the week. So if anyone wants to come in, stop by and just even hang out during the week, we would love to see new faces and fellowship with everyone,” Duquene said.
Workshops are held in the IGO office to provide space to learn and have discussion.
“A workshop that we’re excited to do is just the hair talk, we’re gonna have a workshop in the IGO office next month for Black History Month, and my queen Donna here is gonna help out with woman’s love and just being able to celebrate the woman that we have in our lives on campus,” Johnson said.
Mario Rangel said that he wants IGO events to be more than something to attend.
“Somebody smarter than me or cooler than me, said this one time, and I think it’s a really good way of looking at it like, it’s one thing to be invited to a dance, it’s another to be invited to dance,” Rangel said. “And so what we’re trying to do is our program should make students feel like this isn’t a place you’re just attending for a little while. This is your home and where you belong.”
