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What Is the Office of Multicultural Development?
It is the mission of Multicultural Development to collaboratively serve students of color by developing programs and resources to assist them in the process from matriculation to graduation and to provide resources and ideas for majority students seeking to identify and understand issues of diversity from a distinctly Christian worldview. The office seeks to enhance the student experience by encouraging the utilization of campus resources, participation in campus life, and understanding cultural differences.
 As an institution of Christian higher learning, Wheaton College prepares women and men to serve the Lord across the globe. Functioning as a liberal arts institution with a distinctive and active integration of faith and the academic disciplines, the college encourages the development of a distinctively Christian worldview in the context of habits of lifelong learning. As Wheaton struggles with developing an intentional diverse Christian academic community, it is pivotal for us to think critically about how we view others and ourselves. As a community we acknowledge that problems exist in understanding diversity and the language we use in addressing our unity within our diversity. We continue to seek avenues that stretch the thinking of all members of the community reflecting our identity in Christ and unique cultural distinctions. As a part of the Student Development division, Multicultural Development facilitates programs and interactions that facilitates life to life interaction and encourage reflective thought and action to complement the classroom experience.
OMD History
The history of minority student concerns at Wheaton College has its root in the very history of the institution. The very character of President Blanchard was one of justice based on the truth of the Gospel. Within the context of this history there have been many attempts to develop a Christ centered heterogeneous academic community. This process has included challenges as well as victories. After attempted admissions programs in the late 60's and early 70's the college hired two part time advisors for international and minority students. Between 1970 - 1977, 3 individuals held these part time roles. In 1977 The Office of Multicultural Development was created with the hiring of an Assistant to the Dean for Minority Affairs.
 In 1980 the title was changed to Director of Minority Affairs Office and the department continued to develop with a strong emphasis on both recruitment and retention. In the mid 80's a Multicultural Admissions Counselor position was created in the Admissions Office and the split between Admissions for recruitment and Multicultural Development for retention resulted in a gradual increase in student enrollment, a strengthening in student programs, and a significant increase in retention of students of color.
The office has progressed through various name changes over the years reflecting the balance of community and accessibility of all students, with an emphasis on students of color. At the onset of the 2000 - 2001 academic year, the name was formally changed to the Office of Multicultural Development. The change in name reflects intentionally of accessibility and commitment to communal growth.
Currently staffed by 2 full time professionals and many student workers, the Office of Multicultural Development strives to provide a balance of student programming, counseling, administrative advising, intervention, strategic planning and evaluating. The department has developed many areas in the past few years including, periodic Multicultural conferences, peer mentoring programs, academic review of students, training campus faculty/staff/administrators in issues of cultural diversity, and serving on various Presidential task groups related to diversity at Wheaton. The department's history is diverse reflecting the Lord's blessing of the strengths of all those who have been affiliated with it. We continue to strive to develop a culturally diverse and inclusive community for Christ and His kingdom.
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