As a multicultural and/or international student, you will benefit from programs, services, activities, and scholarship help designed specifically to help you get the most out of your St. Kate's experience — and your future.
We provide college-wide educational support on diversity and cultural initiatives and advocate on behalf of international, domestic, immigrant and refugee students of color within the University. MIPS provides time, space and resources to students of color so that we can create a nurturing, expressive and supportive environment.
Programs to Assist the University Community
Corn Bread and Chili Nights
This event series brings together members of the St. Kate's community to share a warm meal and discuss pertinent multicultural and social justice issue that impact our daily lives.
Graduates of Color Recognition Dinner
MIPS assists students in preparing a semi-formal ceremony and dinner to recognize graduating international students and students of color. This ceremony recognizes both male and female graduates at all degree levels (certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate).
Heartwork and Other Workshops
These workshops allow the opportunity for authentic dialogue about challenging oppression and dismantling the systems that keeps it in place—specifically fear, ignorance, and power. We offer a variety of trainings to increase multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills for students, faculty, and staff.
Peer Mentoring
The MIPS Peer Mentoring program provides incoming first year multicultural students with the academic and social support to succeed by pairing them with current multicultural upperclassmen. Contact us if you are interested in becoming a mentor. Applications will be available in the MIPS office in the early spring.
Learn more and apply for the Peer Mentoring Program
Trainings on Equity and Inclusion
MIPS staff provides trainings and facilitates discussions on issues of identity, inclusion, oppression, micro-aggression, and privilege. Contact us to discuss!
Events
Fall Leadership Retreat
The MIPS Fall Leadership Retreat provides students a place to learn new leadership skills, connect with other women of color, to reflect on their stories and experiences, and to learn more about themselves and others.
This two-day experience takes place at a True Friends Conference and Retreat Center. Throughout the weekend, retreat participants will have a chance to:
Sometimes, we all need to set time aside to be reflective of our lives and our goals, so that we can nurture parts of ourselves to become even stronger.
Contact us if you are interested in participating. A required deposit of $30 will be returned to you, if and when you attend the retreat.
Women of Color Full Circle Gathering
St. Kate's graduates of color are invited to dinner and/or dessert at the Multicultural and International Programs and Services (MIPS) Women of Color Full Circle Gathering. Reconnect with each other and the MIPS staff, past and present, as well as current students of color as we continue to build relationship one conversation at a time.
This event is free and occurs every other year.
Friendship Families
The Friendship Family Program matches new international students of St. Catherine University with American families. As friendships develop, students and families have the opportunity to appreciate how others live and look at the world and develop a better understanding of their own culture.
- Participate in team activities and dialogues
- Learn from student-led workshops on topics relevant to their experiences as student leaders and as women of color
- Find time to reflect quietly on their past journey and the journey ahead
- Express their hopes, frustrations, barriers, dreams and stories
- Meet other students of color and create sincere relationships
- Have fun and relax
- Students from around the world
Families have an important role in shaping the experience of young women from all over the world. These are some of the countries students have traveled from to study at St. Kate's: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Gambia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Poland, Spain, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Some stay for a full 4 years and some for just a semester or year.
- Think of her as your daughter
As part of the program, the University will consider the student of the family to be their “daughter” and subsequently the Friendship Family will be invited to Parent Weekend, for example, or to send their “daughter” a basket of fruit or a rose to encourage them during exam periods.
- International Potluck
At the end of the school year, the MIPS office hosts a large potluck dinner of international food, education and entertainment, to which all Friendship Families and international students are invited.
- Expectations
We ask that you:
- Pick her up at the airport when she first arrives and house her the first night
- Help her move into her residence hall
- Initiate contact and befriend her to help ease the initial adjustment period
- Introduce her to U.S. culture, e.g. invite her over for home-cooked meals
- Inform the MIPS office of progress and difficulties
You are not asked to:
- Host her overnight or during vacations unless you want and are able to
- Give her any money or provide any services that are inconvenient
- Resources
The Multicultural and International Programs and Services (MIPS) office administers the Friendship Family Program and the staff members are available as resources for any questions participants may have.
First Step Institute
Preparing young women of color for higher education, the First Step Summer Institute is a free and unique college immersion experience offered at our St. Paul campus.
Now is the perfect time to make friends and become more active within our campus community! To get involved with any of the following organizations, you can attend the activities fair in September or contact the respective organization directly to learn more.
Asian Women's Association (awa@gts-online.com)
The St. Catherine University Asian Women's Association represents the interests of Asian students on campus, educates and promotes awareness of Asian cultures, issues, and perspectives to the University community, and builds a supportive network for Asian students.
Color of STEM (COS) (cos@gts-online.com)
Strives to provide a stable foundation and community for students in STEM that are from underrepresented groups, such as students of color and LGBTQ+ students, as well as anyone else interested. COS works to identify resources for underrepresented students in STEM, to bring awareness to the school and community about the need for diversity in STEM and to connect current students with alumni as well as other professionals of color in the STEM field.
First Generation Scholars League (FGSL)
The First Generation Scholars League’s purpose is to spread awareness and provide additional support for first generation students at St. Catherine University.
International Students Organization (SCISO) (sciso@gts-online.com)
The St. Catherine International Student Organization is open to all students, but is specifically organized by and for international students. SCISO encourages respect and understanding for cross-cultural and international backgrounds and encourages support from domestic students who are interested in learning more about other cultures. A few SCISO events include Africa Night, International Education Week, and International Potluck.
Latina Student Association (LSA) (lsa@gts-online.com)
The Latinx Student Association provides a system of support for Latinx students, brings greater awareness of issues concerning Latinx students, and offers service to the broader Latinx community in the Twin Cities.
Muslim Student Association (MSA) (msa@gts-online.com)
MSA provides a community of support, services, activities events, and interaction to all Muslim students attending St. Kate's.
Nurses of Color
Nurses of Color provides support and a safe space for nursing students of color and empower future nurses to be leaders in addressing healthcare disparities.
Pan-Afrikan Student Alliance (PASA)
PASA provides current students with a forum for ideas and common interests. The main goal is to allow students to organize social and cultural events that pertain to African culture.
Southeast Asian Student Association (SEASA) (seasa@gts-online.com)
SEASA aims to unite and empower the Southeast Asian community on campus to spread awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the cultures of Southeast Asia to all students by hosting events and by collaborating with other cultural clubs and organizations on campus. The group is also established to provide a home away from home for students of Southeast Asian descent, where cultural needs can be met in a safe and familiar environment.
SHE Pab: Voices of Hmong Women (shepab@gts-online.com)
The mission of SHE Pab is to promote Hmong culture, language, arts and history. SHE Pab's purpose is to enhance cultural awareness through community service, events, and collaborations.
Whether you are an undocumented student yourself, or a faculty or staff member looking for ways to provide support, we have resources to guide you.
View updates and answers to common questions about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as well as resources for undocumented students and their advocates and allies.
Our mission is to enhance the academic experiences of international students and their families by providing the highest levels of knowledge and expertise in advising, immigration services, advocacy, and programming to the St. Catherine University campus.
Our international services assist international students with immigration and employment and tax matters. We also coordinate with other campus offices to develop programming and activities to insure our students are fully integrated into the campus community.
For more information about immigration or school needs, please contact the MIPS Office.
MIPS maintains a thoughtful collection of books, videos, and DVDS related to multicultural topics, which can be previewed in our office and/or checked out. Each material can be checked out up to 15 days, with an option to renew. If you would like to check out any of the videos or books please visit us in our Coeur de Catherine office on the St. Paul Campus.