The Ithacan

BIPOC retreat crowns students with confidence in their natural hair

By Mila Ventura-Rodriguez, Staff Writer • October 10, 2024

Taughannock Falls room was packed with students murmuring amongst themselves Sept. 28. It was a gray and cloudy Saturday, but inside there was a spectrum of bright, eye-catching colors. A wide variety of hairstyles populated the conference room, including braids, twists, afros, straight hair and wigs, all with different colors and adorned with charms and accessories.

Editorial: College must focus search for BIPOC Unity Center director

By The Ithacan • September 11, 2024

While the current staff of Ithaca College’s BIPOC Unity Center do an admirable job, the postponement of the college’s search for a director is endemic of many community-based issues in Ithaca — the options for support fall consistently on the same leaders, who can be stretched thin by the responsibilities with which they are tasked. Both the students they serve and the leaders themselves deserve an attitude of increased urgency from administration.

BIPOC Unity Center pauses search for director, focuses on fortifying existing leadership

By Prakriti Panwar, News Editor • September 11, 2024

Ithaca College’s BIPOC Unity Center has not yet hired a permanent director since undergoing a name change in Spring 2023 and a merger with the First-Generation and MLK Scholar Center in Spring 2024. However, it now has the largest staff it has had since before the changes. At this time, the center plans to focus on intersectional programming to continue engaging students meaningfully.

Editorial: Thoughtfulness is key to BIPOC Unity Center Merge

By The Ithacan • March 7, 2024

The First Generation and MLK Scholar programs have recently merged with the BIPOC Unity Center given the overlapping identities and events between these programs. While this has the potential to be beneficial and allow for more stream-lined, efficient programming, the center must ensure that it also maintains a nuanced perspective when it comes to supporting students, especially students of color.

First-Gen, MLK Scholar and BIPOC Unity Center programs merge after recognizing overlap in student need

By Jacquelyn Reaves and Ryan Johnson • March 6, 2024

At the beginning of Spring 2024, the Ithaca College First-Generation and MLK Scholar Center merged with the BIPOC Unity Center to recognize the overlap with students who use both centers’ resources.

BIPOC Unity Center announces student committee to assist in search for next director

By Ryan Johnson, Assistant News Editor • January 31, 2024

The BIPOC Unity Center at Ithaca College is looking for student representatives to serve on a committee that will help find the next director for the center. The call for student representatives was announced Jan. 31 in an IC Engage post made by Cliff-Simon Vital, assistant director of the BIPOC Unity Center.

Students and administration discuss impact of BIPOC Unity Center staff departures

By Kai Lincke, Assistant News Editor • December 6, 2023

Ithaca College held a processing session Nov. 30 for BIPOC students to ask questions and share their concerns with college administrators and staff members about the departure of Angélica Carrington, former director of the BIPOC Unity Center.

Two of BIPOC Unity Center’s professional staff members depart the college

By Kai Lincke, Assistant News Editor • November 14, 2023

Two members of the Ithaca College BIPOC Unity Center’s professional staff, Angélica Carrington, former director of the BIPOC Unity Center, and Radeana Hastings, former program coordinator of the BIPOC Unity Center, are no longer employed at the college as of Nov. 10.

Renamed BIPOC Unity Center revitalized with initiatives reflecting community feedback

By Lorien Tyne, News Editor • September 5, 2023

Student leaders and Angélica Carrington, director of the BIPOC Unity Center — formerly the Center for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Social Change — have led the charge to rename the center, reestablished its mission and set forth new initiatives for BIPOC students.

New Jumpstart program introduced for BIPOC students at IC

By Jadyn Davis, Senior Writer • August 21, 2023

In an effort to support incoming BIPOC students at Ithaca College, the BIPOC Unity Center hosted a new Jumpstart Program called “A Place Where YOU Belong: The BIPOC Experience” from Aug. 14–16. Jumpstart...