Office of Intercultural Engagement and Belonging

Our vision is for ACU to embody a culture that appreciates and celebrates our differences, creates access and opportunities for everyone, and invites all voices into meaningful conversations while always treating one another with kindness, compassion, grace and mercy, so that together we might discover God’s call for our lives.
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Our vision is for ACU to embody a culture that appreciates and celebrates our differences, creates access and opportunities for everyone, and invites all voices into meaningful conversations while always treating one another with kindness, compassion, grace and mercy, so that together we might discover God’s call for our lives.

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Imago Dei

As a guiding philosophy, the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Belonging emphasizes that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6). Our identity is based on this understanding, and our relationship with others centers around the image of God present in each of us, giving all equal worth, dignity and belovedness.

A student and professor hug during commencement.

Initiatives

  • Developing customized professional development for faculty, staff and administration
  • Collaboration with Student Life, ACU Dallas, spiritual formation programs and academic departments
  • Preparing campus for Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation
  • Providing mentoring and scholarships to high-need and Pell-eligible students to improve retention
Students talking with each other

Office of Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Affairs oversees student groups, working together to promote cultural awareness, encourage unity and facilitate open communication. Programs and events sponsored by OMA showcase our students’ creativity as they support each other and share what makes their individual cultures unique.

Quick Facts

  • ACU has an enrollment of 6,730 students, comprising 4,630 undergraduates and 2,100 graduate students, from 51 states and territories, and 45 nations.
  • About 47% of ACU’s student body is racially and ethnically diverse. Of those, 18% are Hispanic, 15% are Black, and 15% are Asian, American Indian, Alaskan, Pacific Islander, Hawaiian, mixed-race or unknown.
  • About 16% of the university’s faculty is racially and ethnically diverse.

See more Quick Facts about ACU

International Student Services

International Student Services works closely with the Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars to support ACU’s international student population. Here, you’ll find important information about student services, visas, travel, work and ways to be involved.

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Office of Multicultural Affairs & International Student Services student groups

Students from all backgrounds and experiences are invited to join and learn from organizations created to celebrate the rich cultures that make up our student body. Learn more about the International Students Association, African Students Association, Asian Student Organization, Indian Culture Association, Third Culture Kids, Black Student Union, Hispanos Unidos, Brothers and Sisters.

Contact the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Belonging

(325) 674-4990
oieb@acu.edu
McGlothlin Campus Center 222

Strategic Plan

Global Vision

ACU’s global vision is to deliver a world-class education in an intentionally Christ-centered environment so that we may educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. As part of that calling, ACU’s Strategic Plan for 2022-27 centers around six pillars, and one of those pillars reflects our commitment to celebrating our community.

Strategic goal: Promote an internal culture that celebrates every individual as created uniquely in God’s image and gives voice and input to all constituents.

Building community promotes innovation, creativity, and appreciation for the unique differences expressed in each of us by God’s intentional design. It also broadens the scope of our reach and extends our influence in the kingdom. We believe that creating such a community within ACU is consistent with God’s teachings and the biblical model of the Christian community called for in Scripture.

This task won’t be simple, yet we are urged to respect, honor, and gain insights from various cultures and traditions represented among students, faculty, and staff. This will help demonstrate a strengthening campus climate where all members feel valued and appreciated.

Objectives

  • Achieve formal recognition by the Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
  • Improve diverse student retention by 5%, increasing Black student retention from 65% to 70%, and increasing Latin student retention from 72% to 77%.
  • Improve diverse student graduation rates by 5%, increasing Black student graduation from 50% to 55% and increasing Latin student graduation from 49% to 54%.

Our vision is for ACU to foster a culture that appreciates and celebrates our differences, creates access and opportunities for everyone, and invites voices into meaningful conversations while always treating one another with kindness, compassion, grace, and mercy, so that together we might discover God’s call for our lives.