Tiffin University
Center for InterculTUral Excellence
Celebrating CulTUral Uniqueness (CCU@TU) was our response to the campus climate at Tiffin University (TU) in 2016. We recognized that we needed to create an environment where every student had a voice, felt free to be themselves, and was valued for their individuality. We wanted to ensure that TU was a place where students could celebrate their culture and uniqueness every day. As academics, we did the first thing that we always do when starting a new project: We conducted interviews and did our research. We talked to faculty, staff, and students on campus, consulted community members, looked at what other campuses were doing, and read everything we could get our hands on. We conducted focus groups and analyzed the data. From our research, we developed an approach that worked for us and that we planned to sustain. Tiffin University is exceptionally unique in its approach, and our goal is to widely promote the science of what we have discovered.
What tu population identify as:
25%
Non-Caucasian
29%
First-Generation
53%
Pell Grant Eligible
At TU, International Students make up 10% of the student population. Our students represent 47 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and 45 countries.
Out of 258 full-time employees, 14% identify as non-Caucasian. In terms of full-time faculty, 17% identify as non-Caucasian and in terms of our full-time staff, 12% identify as non-Caucasian.
Testimonial: Student CCU Experience
When I decided to come to Tiffin University, I was worried about how the change would be. I’m from California, and choosing to attend school across the country was a big one for my family and me. Tiffin University, however, made that transition so much easier for me. The university promoted different cultures and through their on-campus events, I was able to find people who thought like me but also others who had opposing views. This has ultimately broadened my perspective.
As an Ohioan from Cleveland, there was some cultural shock from going from a bigger city to a small town like Tiffin. However, I believe that change made me more receptive to not only different cultures but other perspectives as well. Tiffin University is a interconnected campus that is proud to be just that. And with the tools I’ve received in navigating cultural differences, I believe I’m ready for life after college.
CELEBRATING CULTURAL UNIQUENESS: THE INITIATIVE
Under the leadership of Dr. Schumacher, in 2016 Tiffin University (TU) launched an initiative called Celebrating CulTUral Uniqueness (CCU), now known as CCU@TU. The initiative began as a focus to strengthen our approach to creating an environment that fosters openness and curiousity. This action was not because we weren’t already promoting a welcoming environment, but because we knew we could do better, and our student body—approximately 44% of which is composed of both domestic and international students—deserved this. TU administrators, faculty, staff, and students were committed to fostering an atmosphere that welcomes all individuals. Moreover, the goal was to become known both internally and externally as an institution that educates, develops, and prepares individuals for the realities of the world in which we live and work.
MISSION OF CELEBRATING CULTURAL UNIQUENESS (CCU) AT TIFFIN UNIVERSITY
Our commitment fosters an environment that celebrates cultural uniqueness, is welcoming, understanding of different perspectives, affirming, and safe for all populations. The collaborative strategic alignment of the Councils for Academic Experience, Expansion of Opportunity, and Talent & Engagement creates opportunities to support and maintain an educational and working environment that promotes this commitment.
The initiative has grown into a commitment and now encompasses both internal and external cultural competency education and training, an updated and relevant for TU students curriculum, and student programming around these topics. The next phase is to start a Center to house and build on these endeavors.
Why Celebrating CulTUral Uniqueness?
“Culture is defined as “the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts.” (Zimmerman 2015). At Tiffin University, we have more than one culture at play; the campus culture and the individual culture each person encompasses. This lens is essential in the work we do.
Celebrating CulTUral Uniqueness: The Center for InterculTUal Excellence
We made a commitment in 2016 and have far exceeded our goals. Not only do we graduate culturally competent students, but we have trained our faculty and staff, hosted phenomenal speakers and created our own internal and external training programs. Furthermore, we have developed a curriculum that doesn’t just benefit Tiffin University, but other organizations as well. The next step is to create and staff a Center to centralize and manage all of these facets and to continue to develop and grow our initiatives and strategic goals.
Advisory Council to the President
Annual International Dinner
On-Site and Virtual Training Opportunities
