Building bridges for campus community: Introducing the Center for Community and Cultural Engagement

The University of Utah’s new Center for Community and Cultural Engagement (CCE) is creating a space for students to connect, learn, and participate in meaningful dialogue. As it continues to grow and expand its offerings, the center is poised to become an integral part of campus life, with formal approval by the Utah Board of Higher Education pending. 

“We’re building a space where the U community can come together—both on and off campus—to connect and grow,” said LeiLoni Allan-McLaughlin, director of CCE. 

Unlike the centers it replaced due to HB 261, CCE will not house student resources. Instead, it will focus on creating opportunities for all students to engage in multicultural learning. Through educational programming and celebrations of diverse heritages, experiences, and historical contributions, the center fosters pathways for students to explore community and culture. 

CCE will host events like Crimson Conversations, a cultural education series focused on key societal issues; Solidarity Forums, safe spaces for open and honest dialogue about campus issues; and Wellness Wednesdays, designed to provide a relaxing environment for students to unwind and connect with one another--and more.  

The new center will also collaborate closely with other campus departments and community partners, supporting organizations like the Black Graduate Student Association, and sponsoring events that promote student health and wellness. This collaboration will be essential as CCE continues to develop into a hub for cultural education and community building on campus. 

Additionally, CCE is already laying the groundwork to host campus-wide cultural heritage month celebrations, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Women’s Week, and Pride Week. These campus-wide events, combined with year-round panel discussions, speaker sessions, and workshops, will allow CCE to celebrate a wide array of backgrounds at the university community and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning. 

"We’re excited for what lies ahead," Allan-McLaughlin said. "Our goal is to create a space where students from all backgrounds feel they have a place to engage meaningfully with others and explore their own sense of identity within the broader context of community and culture."  

An advisory board of students, faculty and staff is being created for the new center and applications are now open. 

Apply to join the advisory board here and learn more about the center here.