Christopher Newport University is committed to promoting an environment that honors the uniqueness of each student. The presence and active engagement of a diverse community offers a vibrant, rich and transformative campus experience that impacts all facets of student life.
How can you get involved?
- Interact with students, faculty and staff representing an array of identities, backgrounds and interests
- Participate in organizations and programming designed to expand your cultural experiences and worldview
- Engage in coursework that highlights diverse viewpoints, social concerns and global understanding
- Access the services that support your unique needs as you learn and grow at Christopher Newport
Christopher Newport University is what you make of it, so make the most out of the four years as you can. If you have interest in something, explore that opportunity, and enjoy yourself while doing it. Best of luck!
Kylan Washington
CNU '19
Don’t be afraid to approach new people! Go to a club meeting and talk to people because they’ll have some kind of similarity to you. You’ll find some amazing friends and mentors by doing this.
Emily Cox
CNU '19
Whenever you are baffled, try to find resources that may be able to solve your problem (some people or organization), and think about how they can help you specifically. Be active.
Yimin Guo
CNU '20
We encourage all students to connect through our programs, services and resources.
The Student Diversity and Equality Council promotes campus cohesion through dialogue, community outreach, educational opportunities and student policy initiatives. This student-led group works collaboratively with identity-based organizations, faith-based organizations, fraternity/sorority councils and social justice organizations to enact positive change at Christopher Newport and the surrounding community.
IGNITE is a three-day fall retreat bringing together current and emerging leaders to examine issues related to identity, diversity and social change on campus. The event consists of interactive workshops, small-group discussions and experiential exercises. IGNITE culminates with the development of personal action plans that each participant will initiate with the assistance of faculty, staff or alumni advisers.
The Inclusive Leadership Series features competency-based workshops designed to expand student awareness and skills related to leading and serving diverse communities. The sessions will give particular attention to students' current experiences ranging from organizational involvement and campus employment to classroom engagement and community service. Participants will also be offered the opportunity to complete the Intercultural Development Inventory, which assesses individual competencies across both cultural differences and commonalities.
The Safe Zone program initiative aims to inform students, faculty and staff about the LGBTQ+ community and issues that challenge social constructs about sexual orientation, sexual behavior, gender identity and gender expression. A series of three workshops is offered each semester exploring ways to develop, implement and sustain best practices, resources and strategies for campus inclusion.
Beginning with the admissions process and extending to the alumni experience, there are numerous ways that we seek to engage and to support our students as they navigate the CNU experience. Examples include:
- Find Your Community Initiative, an early outreach and engagement effort for all students
- Multicultural community welcome receptions provided each fall
- Over 40 student organizations focusing on identity, diversity and social issues
- Empowerment groups supporting students' mental and emotional health
- Interactions with alumni in collaboration with the Multicultural Alumni Chapter
- Graduation ceremonies celebrating the achievements of our diverse student communities
- Engagement with community agencies representing an array of populations and causes