Below are numerous offices at the University of Florida whose mission are to empower diverse communities and advocate for an inclusive campus. There are programs available for graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty members.
Multicultural & Diversity Affairs
“Through transformative educational experiences and developmental opportunities, Multicultural and Diversity Affairs celebrates and empowers diverse communities and advocates for an inclusive campus for all students across identities.”
- The office holds a variety of different events and programs such as
- Gatorship which is a weekend retreat for students interested in learning about social justice,
- University Multicultural Mentor Program, which pairs a first-year undergraduate students with a staff or faculty member to ease their transition to UF.
Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs
“Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs (APIDA) aims to promote a more critical understanding of APIDA issues and identity while advocating for the needs of Asian and Asian American community. By focusing on leadership development, providing educational dialogue focused on the complex cultural and intersectional identities, and being a voice for the community at UF, APIDA will empower its community members to take a more active role in shaping their experiences at the University of Florida and beyond.”
- APIA Affairs has a student organization for graduate students Asian Graduate Student Organization (AGSO)
Black Affairs
“Black Affairs creates, sustains, promotes and affirms Black scholarship, culture, history, and leadership. We coordinate an array of educational, cultural, and social programs focused on the Black experience at the University of Florida, the United States, and across the African diaspora.”
- Leadership, Career and cultural development through culture & coffee, community mixers, and even a visit to DC in the For the Culture Tour.
- Community Engagement events including conscious conversations about topics relevant to the Black community, a dinner to celebrate achievements of Black students, and more.
Collegiate Veterans Success Center
“As a Veteran Friendly Campus it is important to provide a place for student veterans where veterans can meet, study and spend time in a safe and relaxing environment. Ranked number five for veterans by U.S.A today, the veteran’s success center looks to provide ongoing support for those who have served in our armed forces.”
Disability Resource Center
“Acting as a resource for students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities, the Disability Resource Center helps to provide a support system and empower students to achieve their dreams. By creating opportunities to educate the campus community, the Disability Resource Center helps make the University of Florida an inclusive environment for all who attend.”
Hispanic Latino Affairs
“Hispanic-Latino Affairs (HLA) aims to support, empower and advance the Hispanic-Latino/a community at the UF.”
- Hispanic Student Association, is a student organization that aims to connect the Hispanic-Latinx community both at UF and Gainesville. It contains 13 sub-divisions including those for Argentinian, Brazilian, and Dominican students.
- Ambassador program, is a student group that aims to achieve equal rights and opportunities for the Hispanic Latino community and educate the campus on the history and diverse culture of the community.
LGBTQ Affairs
“LGBTQ Affairs strives to provide an affirming and welcoming space for all LGBTQ+ identified students. We work to empower LGBTQ+ student leaders and ambassadors as change agents on campus and in the community. Recognizing that sexual identity and gender identity and expression work through and are influenced by race, ethnicity, culture, age, disability, class, faith, and other social characteristics, we offer support and educational programming that incorporate principles of social justice to reduce heterosexism, genderism, homophobia, and transphobia in all of their forms on the UF campus and beyond.”
- Map of Gender-neutral bathrooms at UF
- Discussion groups, including New to UF, Trans at UF, Queer Women Empowerment Network (QWEN), Queer Asian Pacific Islander Desi (QAPID), Hispanic and Latinx Queers (HLXQ)
International Center
“International students, and exchange students and visitors play an important role in the advancement of UF’s research and teaching missions. Their presence is key to enhancing UF’s tradition of global learning. We are pleased to provide the services that make it possible for them to be here, and to do our best to create a welcoming environment during their stay on campus.”
- The office provides a variety of services of international students and has different events, such as
- Resources for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars
- Participation in the #YouAreWelcomeHere initiative that is a scholarship campaign that affirms students from around the world.