IDEAS Center Programs
The IDEAS Center works in collaboration with students, staff, and faculty to provide the following initiatives.
Intercultural Advocates
The mission of Intercultural Advocates is to create an environment that encourages open dialogue surrounding inclusion, equity, and relevant social justice topics amongst students in the Allegheny community. Advocates seek to assess current challenges that students in our community face and provide opportunities for students to connect with those of different backgrounds to gain an understanding of cultural awareness.
Program Goals
- Promote cultural awareness amongst students in the Allegheny community.
- Provide personal and professional leadership development to students who participate in the program.
- Create a safe space for students to participate in open dialogue regarding issues of inclusion, equity, and social justice.
William C. Jason Fellows
William C. Jason Fellows honor William C. Jason ‘1888 the first black alum of Allegheny College’s legacy by committing themselves to excel academically and co-curricularly. Jason Fellows assist with the daily operations of the IDEAS Center, participate in monthly IDEAS Center Staff meetings, receive professional development, and work on special projects as assigned.
“Who is William C. Jason?” you might ask. Jason was Allegheny’s first black graduate, class of 1888. He dedicated himself to hard work and educational access, and even went on to become President of Delaware State University! Jason spent his teens trying his hand at several different vocations, namely as a printer, barber, and even shopkeeper at the age of 18 before he became a Gator. As President of Delaware State University William Jason was known to accept any student at the college, even if they could not afford tuition, as long as the student was dedicated enough “to work his passage.”
First-Gen Forward Initiatives
As an institution that is nationally recognized for our support of First-Generation College students, Allegheny is committed to supporting first-gen students in intentional ways. Allegheny is a place where first generation students thrive. A first-generation student is a student for whom neither parent has completed a four-year degree at the time of student’s matriculation or their primary support person at the time the student was age 16 had not yet complete a four-year degree. Allegheny class of 2021 is 29% first generation and more than half of our senior administrative team were the first in their family to go to college. At Allegheny, we’re first!
Our support doesn’t end with the programs below, these are simply a highlight of the ways in which we engage our First-Generation College students:
- Module B Courses. First-year, First-Gen students are encouraged to enroll in a sequence of 7-week courses to help in supporting them throughout the first year. During their first semester, students can enroll in Thriving as a First-Generation College Student where we discuss the challenges faced as a first-generation student as well as available resources, how to navigate college and how to sustain success. During the spring of their first year, students are encouraged to enroll in our Module B course designed to prepare students for summer, entering into their second year and how to maintain success.
- First-Gen half day conference. In November, students are encouraged to participate in a First-Gen conference where they will have opportunity to engage with First-Gen faculty and staff as well as receive professional development.
- First-Gen Potluck. Once a semester, First-Gen faculty and staff host a potluck meal for First-Gen students as an opportunity to connect and share in their experiences.
- National First-Gen Day. We celebrate our First-Gen Students through a signing day where students can sign an annual banner, receive First-Gen swag, take a picture with Chompers and embrace their First-Gen identity.
- First-Gen Pinning and Graduation Celebration. First-Gen Seniors have achieved a tremendous accomplishment and we acknowledge that! Seniors are recognized during our Graduation Celebration as well as participating in a First-Gen Pinning ceremony where seniors receive a gold alum pin as well as recognition in a formal ceremony prior to commencement where families can join in celebrating their First-Gen seniors.
Foster Ed Program
The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program was established to remove obstacles in accessing postsecondary education for Pennsylvania youth who are or have been in foster care. Since Act 16 of 2019 was created, all Pennsylvania colleges and universities will award waivers that cover tuition and required fees for qualified Pennsylvania students from the foster care system.
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Pennsylvania resident
- Be under age 26
- Received a high school diploma or equivalent approved credential
- Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania’s John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
- Be identified as a youth in foster care or a youth discharged from foster care at age 16 or older
- Exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or permanent legal custodianship
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half time in a postsecondary institution that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title
- IV student assistance programs
- Demonstrate financial need for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG), as determined by the postsecondary institution
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the postsecondary institution
- Not be in default on a federal student loan
Eligible youth must follow the below steps to Participate:
- File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Submit a Chafee ETG Application (available at PHEAA.org)
- Enroll in an eligible Pennsylvania postsecondary institution (visit www.ips.pa.gov for a list of schools)
The Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will serve as a point of contact for this program. Heather Moore Roberson is currently serving as the point of contact for the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program. She may be contacted at hroberson@allegheny.edu or (814) 332-2396.
The point of contact can assist with the following:
- Completing admissions and financial aid applications
- Obtaining verification of eligibility
- Providing referrals for on- and off- campus resources and support services
Graduation Celebration
Graduation Celebration is an annual event where graduating seniors from historically under-represented populations are recognized for their achievements and upcoming graduation. All participants receive an IDEAS Center cord. Students are also recognized by their affiliated organizations and each organization provides seniors with their organizational graduation regalia.
During this celebration, a faculty and staff member are also recognized for their intentional support of systemically marginalized students through the IDEAS Excellence award and the Leaving a Legacy award. Seniors are also awarded for one of three awards and are presented during this celebration.
- Leave Your Mark Award: The student exhibits strong leadership qualities, someone who has done something that’s bigger than themselves that will still be here after they are gone. This senior has developed some form of programming that will continue on after they have left the institution. Their mark will be recognized through the work they have done to make Allegheny a better campus.
- Inclusive Excellence Award: Through action or behavior, this student exemplifies Inclusive Excellence by recognizing the intersectionality students face and creates a positive environment in which students that are systemically marginalized can feel welcome. This student recognizes that adversity is a word all under-represented students can resonate with and makes an impact on changing the narrative for under-resourced students at Allegheny.
- Perseverance Award: This student has overcome adversity (either personal or academic) and has excelled to a point where their college career has had significant impact on their life and the lives of others.
Multicultural Field Day/Multicultural Weekend
These student-driven programs are supported by IDEAS Center but planned by our Culture, Identity and Leadership Coalition (CILC).
Multicultural Field Day is an opportunity for CILC organizations to promote cultural awareness on campus through activities and showcasing their respective organizations. The first multicultural field day was conceptualized and brought to life by the Association for the Advancement of Black Culture (ABC) in 2018 bringing together organizations to celebrate the diversity on campus. Now an initiative of CILC, all organizations have a hand in planning the day’s activities with support from the IDEAS Center.
Multicultural Weekend is held in the spring semester and affords prospective students an opportunity to engage with our CILC organizations, get to know the campus and gain a familiarity with the ways in which Allegheny supports our under-resourced students in intentional ways.
