Umbrella is the governing body of all the multicultural student organizations. The purpose of this governing body is to create a “safe place” where each under-represented student population is celebrated and supported, to provide an environment in which students can voice concerns, struggles, and accomplishments while educating the Albion community about the diversity of cultures and customs.
Comprising representatives from 11 under-represented student organizations, these student leaders elect Umbrella’s officers, meet regularly to discuss issues, plan and host diversity events ranging from cultural dinners to panel speakers, learn to have dialogue, and gain valuable life-long skills in leadership. In addition to forming friendships with a diverse group of people and the support of a staff advisor, each Umbrella group is an individual student campus organization. They are committed to educating and encouraging students, faculty, staff, and the Albion community to recognize and advocate diversity by supporting global, national, and local intercultural awareness.
Umbrella groups have access to Umbrella House on campus, which serves as a meeting place. The Umbrella House is located at:
1107 E. Cass St.
Albion, MI 49224
All Albion students are welcome to join any of Umbrella's student organizations.
For more information, please contact the Office of Intercultural Affairs at 517/629-0501, or Campus Programs and Organizations at 517/629-0433.
African-Caribbean Student Union
The African-Caribbean Student Union aims to foster fraternal relationships and a better understanding among fellow African and Caribbean students and faculty. The group works to unite the sons and daughters of Africa and the Caribbean with all those concerned with and interested in the welfare of these regions, and to engage in constructive activities. Importance is also placed on creating awareness and a deeper understanding of the richness of cultures in Africa and the Caribbean and major issues affecting the continent and the different islands of the Caribbean.
ACSU hosts Reggaefest in April with a steel drum band, panel discussion, and Caribbean cuisine (right).
Albion College Hillel
Albion College Hillel offers a voice to the Jewish students on campus to improve awareness about cultural issues such as anti-Semitism. It gives Jewish students and faculty an opportunity to observe holiday traditions, as well as provide non-Jewish members of the community the chance to learn more about the Jewish culture.
Albion College Hillel offers a voice to the Jewish students on campus to improve awareness about cultural issues such as anti-Semitism. It gives Jewish students and faculty an opportunity to observe holiday traditions, as well as provide non-Jewish members of the community the chance to learn more about the Jewish culture.
Molly Benson, ’21
President, Hillel
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/They/Them
Why are you a part of Hillel? “Because making spaces for learning, compassion, and togetherness is a Jewish value. It is important to come together with other people to talk about our cultures and share delicious food!”
What do you like about Albion College? “I really appreciate how genuine and kind people at Albion are.”
Contact Molly
Asian Awareness Group
Asian Awareness Group educates the campus community about various facets of Asian/Asian-American culture. It sponsors ethnic dinners in celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, and the Chinese Lunar New Year, in addition to other cultural activities including yoga, martial arts, and Asian-directed films
Over 90 members of the Albion community, staff, faculty and students celebrate with AAG the Indian festival of lights known as Dwali (right).
Matt Sander, ’19
President, Asian Awareness Group
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Why are you a part of AAG? “I really enjoy learning about other Asian cultures. I also love hosting events to teach the campus and community about the various Asian cultures that we have right on campus.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I really love the opportunities that the college provides.”
Contact Matt
Black Student Alliance
The Black Student Alliance (BSA) is a support group for African Americans attending Albion College. Its goals are to heighten awareness and sensitivity to African Americans through educational programming directed at eliminating racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Programs that the BSA sponsors annually include Kwanzaa and Taste of Blackness. The James Welton House, the BSA lodge, is located at 1109 Jackson St.
BSA members take a moment to pose after Taste of Blackness, their annual Black History Month event held in the KC Stack (right).
Cash Jones, ’19
Co-President, Black Student Alliance
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of BSA? “Minority students all need a home away from home for our sanity. BSA fosters that opportunity to connect to other students like me and to help each other grow and leave our mark here.”
What do you like about Albion College? “My friends and some of the professors.”
Contact Cash
Malene Smith, ’19
Co-President, Black Student Alliance
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of BSA? “I'm a part of BSA because I believe its important on a campus such as Albion and it is important to form relationships with those in your community.”
What do you like about Albion College? “Something I like about Albion College is that once you're here, you find those who you hang around normally it really becomes a family.”
Contact Malene
International Student Union
International Student Union hosts various programs (such as dinners, dances, movies) and meetings designed to show the international flavor of Albion's campus. The group works to bring together Albion's international students and to encourage an appreciation of international relations among Albion's American students.
"We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."—Jimmy Carter, former U.S. President
Murun Jargal, ’20
President, ISU
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of ISU? “I enjoy being a part of an organization that encourages a diverse and inclusive community. Helping create a home for others is a rewarding experience.”
What do you like about Albion College? “The Science Complex!”
Contact Murun
LGBriTs
LGBriTs creates awareness and recognition of lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and gay rights issues. There is both a political function (e.g., increase campus awareness through films, speakers, hall programs, panels) and a social function (e.g., attending lesbian and gay concerts, bookstores, speakers, restaurants) to the group.
This group also serves as a safe space for Gender and Sexual Minority (GSM) students.
Amanda Baumgart, ’19
Co-President, LGBriTs
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/They/Them
Why are you a part of LGBriTs? “I joined LGBriTs because where I grew up, being any sexuality other than straight or any gender outside of the binary was something you kept to yourself. Joining LGBriTs was the first chance I ever had to find a community of people like me and it's made me the happiest I've ever been. Now that I'm president I hope to give that to incoming students that were the same as I was. I want to help people be proud of who they are and not feel like they need to hide themselves away because their community doesn't support them.”
What do you like about Albion College? “My favorite thing about Albion is the area. I love the nature center and the campus's beauty. When I'm feeling upset or overwhelmed I just take a walk and it makes me feel better. I also love the town and events that the community puts together. The local culture is so beautiful and fascinating and there's always something to do around here.”
Contact Amanda
Raylan Grace, ’20
Co-President, LGBriTs
Pronouns: He/Him/His/She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of LGBriTs? “I identify myself as a strong supporter of the LGBT community. I want my campus to know that people of the LGBT community are here to stay. We are not going anywhere.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I love that the campus is becoming more diverse each year.”
Contact Raylan
Muslim Student Association
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a support network for Muslims on campus. It also provides programs that teach about Islam and the Islamic culture. These range from special dinners to religious observances.
For more information, contact the Office of Intercultural Affairs.
Organization for Latinx Awareness
OLA provides programs and services that act as a bridge between students, faculty and the Latino communities around the world. It serves students by fostering a positive atmosphere through the development of educational, cultural and social programs leading to a greater understanding of the Latin American community on campus as well as globally. In its efforts to preserve the Latino history and culture, OLA aspires to instill the significance of Latino/a heritage and raise awareness about issues concerning Latinos, as a means of strengthening the presence and importance of diversity at Albion College. OLA is an organization that allows individuals to explore, experience, and absorb culture through language, traditions, values, and music.
Zeralys Correa, ’20
President, Organization for Latinx Awareness
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Why are you a part of OLA? “I am the President of OLA because I love the idea of creating a space where people can and learn about Latinx cultures.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I like the amazing support created with friends, staff, and teachers.”
Contact Zeralys
Power
POWER is an organization created to give women on campus (and women's issues) a support network along with resources needed to create proactive solutions with the help of persons of any gender. The group's main event is The Vagina Monologues, and is performed every other February. Other events include (but are not limited to): V-Week (a week of events leading up to The Vagina Monologues), women's shelter visits, self-defense seminars, women's outings, open panel discussions, female speakers, and women's sports attendance.
Claire Dykstra, ’18
Co-President, POWER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of POWER? “Because I am a feminist and I want to have a space to discuss the inequalities that we experience in our society.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I like the smaller environment and how everyone knows each other.”
Contact Claire
Analiese Snyder, ’20
Co-President, POWER
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why are you a part of POWER? “Because I believe that all genders should be treated equal and that feminism should be intersectional.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I love that everyone is so welcoming. I feel like no matter where you go, you can find someone who is willing to talk to you or invite you to do something or even just help you with something.”
Contact Analiese
Secular Student Alliance
The Secular Student Alliance serves as an open forum and support group for students who are nonreligious. The group helps students develop ideas and skills for their future in a religious society and emphasizes making life meaningful by helping others and building long-lasting friendships.
Isaac Verhelst, ’20
President, Secular Student Alliance
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Why are you a part of SSA? “Because I am very interested in humanism and also the idea of freedom of religion.”
What do you like about Albion College? “The general community atmosphere of it, how everyone seems to know everyone else and that it is a large extended family.”
Contact Isaac
United Voices of Albion College
UVAC is an organization that stands on the foundation of Christian unity, diversity, knowledge, and leadership. UVAC exemplifies African-American heritage through gospel music. The group's main event, United Voices in Praise, is an annual concert involving Albion students and community members. Student leaders in UVAC direct and manage rehearsals, and produce the gospel concerts. UVAC welcomes students of all backgrounds.
Jontaj Wallace, ’20
President, United Voices of Albion College
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: He/him/his
Why are you a part of UVAC? “I love music, especially Gospel music. I also have a passion for teaching music and helping others understand my love for it; which is why I'm pursuing a degree in Music Education.”
What do you like about Albion College? “I love Albion College because I have met my best friends on this campus. The professors are amazing and also the classes are very thought provoking.”
Contact Jontaj
