At first glance, a single mom from Russia, an adopted son and a Chinese Indonesian that escaped political riots don’t seem to have much in common. They do have one thing in common, however — they’re members of the Ithaca College community.

The college’s Diversity Awareness Committee has begun “i Am Diverse,” a program aimed at highlighting the diverse characteristics found on campus and using them to unite the community.

Those involved with the program will make posters with 20 interesting facts about themselves. The posters will be displayed throughout campus, and other students will be encouraged to create their own to display. This will lead up to an art display of the diversity cards in Campus Center in March.

Residence Director Brandon Barile said the program is aimed at educating the community.

“The goal was how [to] educate students, staff and faculty that diversity is more than just race and ethnicity,” he said. “So when we brainstormed this, we said, ‘why not come up with campus personalities.’”

Barile said the program may expand the idea of diversity.

“Diversity is [also] ... about where you come from, the family you were raised in, the neighborhood you come from, the region, your hobbies, your interests,” he said.

For others involved with the program, like freshman SGA representative Jimmy Knowles, defining “diversity” was a little bit difficult.

“The meaning of diversity is really different for any person you talk to, because everybody gives really different meanings of it,” he said.

Tatiana Patrone, a Russian-born professor of philosophy at the college and member of the college’s diversity committee, said diversity is far more than obvious divisions.

“Diversity doesn’t have to do with being of different race or sex or gender, it really has to do with diverse backgrounds,” she said.

On her poster, Patrone focused on her diverse family life.

“I have two kids, and being a mother of two is a significant thing about me,” she said. “It’s important for others to see that someone with that background could make it.”

Definitions aside, the true aim of the program is to bring students and faculty together to talk about their differences and find a common ground. Barile said Ithaca is the ideal environment for this campaign.

“Students in Ithaca have a diverse mind frame and just their viewpoints and acceptance of multiple different politics, multiple different sexual orientations, color, ethnicity,” he said. “It’s a very accepting group ... I think that’s something that’s very unique to Ithaca College and the Ithaca area.”

Resident Director Fred Chandra, who organized the campaign, said the college has the right atmosphere and open frame of mind for a successful discussion to start.

“There are people on campus who are making space and making it comfortable to speak, learn and share about diversity,” he said. “At Ithaca, we’re right on the cusp of it.”