The university will offer a full day of activities for Unity Day 2024 on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and welcome to campus Dr. José Luis Santos, the Department of Higher Education’s senior deputy commissioner and special advisor.
Dr. Santos will be the keynote speaker at the flag raising ceremony that begins with a Unity Walk at 11:30 a.m. The university will raise the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities flag, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage month and the university’s status as an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution.
“This year marks the third Unity Day,” said Edgar Moros, the executive director for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging. “Worcester State celebrates its diversity as we see an increase in ALANA/BIPOC students who have chosen to attend our institution. On Unity Day, programming will provide opportunities for self-reflection and engagement with others who may be different from you. The aim is to foster dialogue, promote greater understanding and respect for one another, and strengthen our campus commitment to DEIJ.”
Unity Day 2024 kicks off a special week on campus, as the university launches its 150th anniversary celebration the weekend of Sept 27-28. The theme for the anniversary, “Our Place. Our Purpose,” reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to providing high quality and accessible higher education in Worcester.
Moros said the university is especially pleased to have Dr. Santos join the day’s celebration. Dr. Santos is an accomplished higher education equity-centered professional and scholar. He provides leadership and expertise on efforts that promote systemness across public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts, and that advance stewardship, coalition building, and advocacy at the regional, state, and national levels. A first-generation college graduate, he is the son of migrant farmworkers who immigrated to the United States from México. He is also a Veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Corporal and Naval Midshipman 1st Class (Marine Corps Option) while in college.
This year’s lineup of Unity Day events includes:
- Unity Day Mural – Students, faculty and staff are invited to contribute to a Unity Day Mural in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery throughout the day.
- 10 – 11:15 a.m. – Discourse on Campus Spirituality , Blue Lounge
- 11:30 – 12:45 p.m. – Unity Walk from Sullivan lawn to Common Ground flagpole outside the Student Center, Keynote address by Dr. Santos and HACU flag raising.
- 1 – 2:15 p.m. – In Our Shoes facilitated by Student Accessibility Services, Sheehan Multipurpose Room. Registration required
- 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. Uplifting LGBTQIA+ Voices, Blue Lounge
- 4- 5 p.m.- Inclusive Excellence and Belonging Strategic Plan, Blue Lounge
Top photo: Students work on last year’s Unity Day Mural in the gallery. Photo by Deborah Alvarez O’Neil.
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