multicultural resource center – The Oberlin Review

College Juniors Debut “Crystal Bridges,” Zine on LGBTQ Life in Taiwan

April 26, 2019

After months of work, College juniors Jenn Lin and Sheng Kao unveiled their new zine, Crystal Bridges, on Monday at a release party held in the Multicultural Resource Center. After being awarded an Oberlin Shansi In-Asia grant this year, the pair traveled to Taipei during Winter Term to document LGBTQ life in Taiwan and interview civilians and activists. Foregoing a traditional print format, Lin and Kao released their zine, a self-published, handmade magazine, on WordPress for free to facilitate access...

MRC Colors of Rhythm Celebrates POC Creative Expression

April 12, 2019

The 23rd annual Colors of Rhythm showed loud and proud at Finney Chapel this past Wednesday, putting students of color and the organizations they represent center stage. The event invited all to come and share in the variety of art forms expressed, including dance, singing, spoken word, and storytelling. The theme of this year’s Colors of Rhythm, “Freedom in this Village,” was chosen to honor E. Lynn Harris, who was a prominent figure in Black gay male literature for more than 25 years...

OTC: Zahida Sherman, Multicultural Resource Center Director

February 22, 2019

Zahida Sherman stepped into her new role as director of Oberlin’s Multicultural Resource Center on Monday, Feb. 18. Most recently, Sherman was an assistant director of Black Student Success at the University of the Pacific. She has also worked as an associate development coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in Los Angeles, and as an assistant director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Kenyon College. Sherman earned her BA in anthropology fro...

MRC Program Supports Trans Students

November 16, 2018

The Multicultural Resource Center launched new programming this week for the College’s third annual Trans Week of Action. Beginning last Sunday, students and staff organized events aimed at providing safe spaces and resources for trans students. The programming ends on Trans Day of Remembrance this Sunday with a vigil honoring trans folks affected by hate. “The Trans Day of Remembrance vigil is something we do every year, since it’s a national event and there is already so much erasure of a...

New Space Promises Opportunities for MRC

September 22, 2017

The Multicultural Resource Center moved from its former space on the second floor of Wilder and into North Campus’ International House, previously occupied by the International Student Organization and Wilder Voice, along with other groups. An on-campus resource for marginalized and underrepresented students, the MRC defines itself in its mission statement as a “gathering place for the collaborative support of historically disenfranchised communities,” serving members of the College and th...

“Colors of Rhythm” Highlights POC Performances

April 7, 2017

Student artists of color took the stage in Finney Chapel for the 21st annual Colors of Rhythm showcase last Thursday night, showcasing languages, instruments and dance traditions underrepresented in Oberlin classes and campus life. This year, the event featured spoken word performers, singers, OCTaiko, the Filipinx American Students’ Association Band, a dance group from the African Students Association, Descendants of the Dragon, Movimiento and a variety of other groups. One band performed in T...

My Name is My Own: Life, Love, and Resistance

March 3, 2017

Local News Bulletin

May 6, 2016

SB 310 to Fund Budgets State Representative Dan Ramos announced the passage of the 2017 capital budget, Senate Bill 310, Wednesday. The budget will provide state funding for two community projects in Lorain County: the Lorain Palace Theater and Civic Center will be allotted $150,000 for building repairs and improvements, and $175,000 will be granted to the Boys & Girls Club of Lorain County Food Kitchen Program to make the program more accessible to children in need. SB 310 also allocates funding for Public Works Commission programs to provide grants and loans to local governments for infrastructure projects throughout the state. NEXUS Opponents Remobilize Opposition to the NEXUS pipeline strengthened i...

News Brief: Estes to Become Brown VP

Review Staff

February 5, 2016

Vice President and Dean of Studies Eric Estes will be leaving at the end of this semester to become the vice president for campus life and student services at Brown University. He came to Oberlin College in 2004 as an associate dean of studies and director of the Multicultural Resource Center. Here, he advocated for student activism and organizing and brought students and faculty together for community building. He has led the Division of Student Life, which includes 16 departments and offices, since 2011. During his time at Oberlin, Dean Estes has become one of the most recognizable administrators on campus. He has increased the staff in the Counseling Center and Office of Disability Services and serv...

After Years of Growth, MRC Revamps Office Space

September 12, 2014

The College renovated and expanded the Multicultural Resource Center this summer, providing more meeting spaces and individual offices in a response to the Center’s increased use over the past several years. “In general, we’re hoping we’re able to use it as a meeting space in a more efficient way,” said Alison Williams, associate dean for academic diversity and director of the MRC. The MRC, which serves as a collaborative hub for historically underrepresented communities,...