Worcester State will celebrate Unity Day on Thursday, September 25 with a full day of special events.
Unity Day began in 2021 as a Unity Walk and has grown into a full-day, campus-wide signature event celebrating our unique identities and experiences. The day aims to foster conversations, collaboration, and understanding across differences and to build a collective sense of belonging for all at Worcester State.
Here are this year’s Unity Day activities:
8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m: Hands-on Arts Event. This hands-on creative experience invites students, faculty, and staff to paint rocks that will create a display in the Common Ground Plaza. Art supplies will be provided—just bring your creative spirit, sense of play, and unique identity. Location: Student Center Exhibit Area.
8:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: We Speak UP: Bystander Intervention as a Mechanism to Interrupt Discrimination on Campus. Led by Sarah Valois from Counseling Services and Omarthan Clarke from Employee Services. Location: Sheehan Multipurpose Room.
10 a.m.-11:15 a.m: Understanding Military Culture & the Student Veteran Experience. This Unity Day session explores the unique strengths, challenges, and perspectives of military-connected students at Worcester State. Through shared experiences and dialogue, participants will gain insight into military culture, the transition from service to campus life, and the ways faculty, staff, and peers can help foster belonging. Join us to learn how our student Veterans and military-affiliated students contribute to the diversity of our campus community and how we can all play a role in supporting their educational success. Location: Blue Lounge, Student Center.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Spiritual Life Prayer & Meditation Lounge Open House. Location: LRC Room 236
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Uplifting LGBTQIA+ Voices. This session will focus on fostering LGBTQIA+ community and culture at Worcester State. It will include a display of student work, a discussion of relevant resources, and a Q&A with audience engagement. Location: Sheehan Multipurpose Room.
1 p.m.-2:15 p.m.: In Our Shoes Student Panel. The diverse voices and lived experiences of disabled students within our campus community will raise awareness about ableism, discuss how to provide access and reduce barriers, and promote disability pride. Organized by Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and Gamma Chi, Worcester State University’s chapter of Delta Alpha Pi, the international Honor Society for disabled students.
2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Unity Walk, Flag Raising & Rededication of Common Ground Plaza at Founder’s Park. To celebrate Unity Day at Worcester State, the university will gather at Sullivan Auditorium near the fountain for the annual Unity Walk. After the walk, there will be a speaking program at Common Ground Plaza, including a rededication of the newly renovated plaza, raising the flag of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and remarks from students. There will be a food truck serving free doughnuts and other goodies.