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Fri, 01/23/2026 - 18:58
Edited Text
Building
Bridges
What Do Students Say
About the Program?
“Building Bridges is an excellent
idea. I have been reached. I looked
at myself and saw my beliefs
and stereotypes. I thought the
discussion was very thought
provoking. Thank you for coming
to our class. Please continue the
wonderful work.”
The Building Bridges Program
Office of Minority Student Services
412 Becht Hall
Clarion University
840 Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214-1232
Phone: 814-393-2043
www.clarion.edu
“I believe the program is very
positive. The issues covered were
not only black and white, but they
were people issues. I will leave this
class with a good heart in hopes of
doing what was disclosed.”
“I love Building Bridges. I think it
gives us the opportunity to talk
about things in a group setting
that are uneasy to discuss in
society.”
“Building Bridges is an educational
opportunity for all students.”
“It was very interesting and cool
to debate educationally.”
It It is the policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania that there shall
be equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, services and
benefits, and there shall be no discrimination with regard to a student’s
or prospective student’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability,
age, sexual orientation/affection, gender identity, veteran status or any
other factors that are protected under local, state, and federal laws. Direct
related inquiries to the Assistant to the President for Social Equity/Title
IX Coordinator, 207 Carrier Administration Building, Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA 16214-1232. Email jgant@clarion.edu or phone
814-393-2109.
The Building Bridges Program
What is the purpose?
Who are the associates?
We are committed to improving relations between
students, helping them grow personally, and preparing
our students for living and working in diverse
communities.
Student associates participate in the program because
they see a need to improve cultural diversity and want
to be part of the solution. They commit their time, talent,
and energy to building a program that will have an
impact on their lives as well as the lives of others.
The purpose of the Building Bridges Program is
to establish a collaborative initiative between the
academic and student affairs that serves to facilitate
communication and collaboration between university
students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and
create a student and academic affairs partnership
that integrates students’ in-class and out-of-class
experiences.
Student associates come from all backgrounds—Asian,
African American, Latino, Native American, Euro
American and International. Associates are selected
through an interview process and receive ongoing
training over the course of the year in effective listening,
nondefensive communication of feelings, creating an
open and supportive atmosphere, and handling difficult
group members.
How do I get involved?
Students:
l become a student associate,
l request your professors invite a team of associates
into your classes, and
l attend open discussion sessions scheduled outside
of classes.
How does the program work?
Each semester, the multi-ethnic team of student
associates visits classrooms to share their personal
experiences, relative to race issues and cultural
diversity, and lead discussions about intergroup
relations with their peers. In addition, they facilitate
discussion at high schools and outside organizations.
Topics may include: interracial dating, minority
scholarships, segregation, affirmative action, Black
History Month, and the effects of media on racism. The
result is a lively discussion that produces a different
perspective for many students. By all accounts,
the intergroup dialogue, within the context of the
classroom, has met with measurable success since
its inception ten years ago.
Faculty:
l invite a team of associates into your classes,
l poll your students for questions
l encourage your students to continue dialogue
outside of classes.
What can you expect to
happen?
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Sessions are also open to high schools and
outside organizations.
Structured opportunities for dialogue about
racial and ethnic stereotypes with members
of representative minority groups.
Provision of a framework for meaningful
interaction between minority and majority
students.
Increased understanding of the relationship
between valuing diversity and personal and
professional success as well as the success of
our economy.
Decreased misunderstanding, conflict,
suffering, and distress among members of
different groups.
Reduction of feelings of alienation on the
part of minority students.
Increased involvement of majority students
in the academic and social life of minority
students.
Increased involvement by minority students
in the academic and social life of majority
students.
Reinforcement that all students are
responsible for creating a positive and
comfortable climate for the diversity of
individuals enrolled at Clarion.
Development of critical thinking skills
through reflection on personal values and
examination of ethical issues.
Bridges
What Do Students Say
About the Program?
“Building Bridges is an excellent
idea. I have been reached. I looked
at myself and saw my beliefs
and stereotypes. I thought the
discussion was very thought
provoking. Thank you for coming
to our class. Please continue the
wonderful work.”
The Building Bridges Program
Office of Minority Student Services
412 Becht Hall
Clarion University
840 Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214-1232
Phone: 814-393-2043
www.clarion.edu
“I believe the program is very
positive. The issues covered were
not only black and white, but they
were people issues. I will leave this
class with a good heart in hopes of
doing what was disclosed.”
“I love Building Bridges. I think it
gives us the opportunity to talk
about things in a group setting
that are uneasy to discuss in
society.”
“Building Bridges is an educational
opportunity for all students.”
“It was very interesting and cool
to debate educationally.”
It It is the policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania that there shall
be equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, services and
benefits, and there shall be no discrimination with regard to a student’s
or prospective student’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability,
age, sexual orientation/affection, gender identity, veteran status or any
other factors that are protected under local, state, and federal laws. Direct
related inquiries to the Assistant to the President for Social Equity/Title
IX Coordinator, 207 Carrier Administration Building, Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA 16214-1232. Email jgant@clarion.edu or phone
814-393-2109.
The Building Bridges Program
What is the purpose?
Who are the associates?
We are committed to improving relations between
students, helping them grow personally, and preparing
our students for living and working in diverse
communities.
Student associates participate in the program because
they see a need to improve cultural diversity and want
to be part of the solution. They commit their time, talent,
and energy to building a program that will have an
impact on their lives as well as the lives of others.
The purpose of the Building Bridges Program is
to establish a collaborative initiative between the
academic and student affairs that serves to facilitate
communication and collaboration between university
students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and
create a student and academic affairs partnership
that integrates students’ in-class and out-of-class
experiences.
Student associates come from all backgrounds—Asian,
African American, Latino, Native American, Euro
American and International. Associates are selected
through an interview process and receive ongoing
training over the course of the year in effective listening,
nondefensive communication of feelings, creating an
open and supportive atmosphere, and handling difficult
group members.
How do I get involved?
Students:
l become a student associate,
l request your professors invite a team of associates
into your classes, and
l attend open discussion sessions scheduled outside
of classes.
How does the program work?
Each semester, the multi-ethnic team of student
associates visits classrooms to share their personal
experiences, relative to race issues and cultural
diversity, and lead discussions about intergroup
relations with their peers. In addition, they facilitate
discussion at high schools and outside organizations.
Topics may include: interracial dating, minority
scholarships, segregation, affirmative action, Black
History Month, and the effects of media on racism. The
result is a lively discussion that produces a different
perspective for many students. By all accounts,
the intergroup dialogue, within the context of the
classroom, has met with measurable success since
its inception ten years ago.
Faculty:
l invite a team of associates into your classes,
l poll your students for questions
l encourage your students to continue dialogue
outside of classes.
What can you expect to
happen?
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Sessions are also open to high schools and
outside organizations.
Structured opportunities for dialogue about
racial and ethnic stereotypes with members
of representative minority groups.
Provision of a framework for meaningful
interaction between minority and majority
students.
Increased understanding of the relationship
between valuing diversity and personal and
professional success as well as the success of
our economy.
Decreased misunderstanding, conflict,
suffering, and distress among members of
different groups.
Reduction of feelings of alienation on the
part of minority students.
Increased involvement of majority students
in the academic and social life of minority
students.
Increased involvement by minority students
in the academic and social life of majority
students.
Reinforcement that all students are
responsible for creating a positive and
comfortable climate for the diversity of
individuals enrolled at Clarion.
Development of critical thinking skills
through reflection on personal values and
examination of ethical issues.