Empowerment

A senior in a red blazer standing behind the podium giving an emotional farewell speech during graduation weekend.

Giving Voices a Platform

Our Center aims to help foster a sense of belonging and empowerment at Ithaca College for all students through our campus-wide programming, events, scholarship programs, scholarship offerings, and cross-campus collaborations while, at the same time, holding culturally validating spaces for students of color.

“Leadership does not have to be individualistic (…) it can be collective.”

Angela Davis

A colorful mural of a Frederick Douglas and Black Lives Matter under a bridge in Ithaca, New York, the sun is shining.

MLK Celebration

IC honors the memory of Dr. King. Our community takes this opportunity to wrestle with questions related to social justice.

a student of color smiling, sitting down in a gray nike hoodie enjoying a conversation.

The Ithaca Achievement Program

Cohort experiences for students of color that aid in developing life skills for their time at IC and beyond.

Seniors of Color Leadership Awards

A celebration of achievement through scholarship, involvement, service, and presence for students of color at Ithaca College.

Annual Scholarships

The BIPOC Unity Center awards two scholarships per academic year:

The Rashad G. Richardson “I Can Achieve” Memorial Scholarship ($3,000.00) is intended to recognize select students who exemplify leadership in programs with the BIPOC Unity Center or other programs across campus. The ideal candidate will have made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life for BIPOC youth (K-12) in the Tompkins County community, their local community, or through a national organization dedicated to supporting BIPOC youth.

The African-Latino Society (ALS) Memorial Scholarship ($1,200.00) . The ALS Memorial Scholarship is awarded to select students who exemplify leadership in programs with the BIPOC Unity Center or other programs across campus at Ithaca College. This scholarship aims to honor students who have worked to influence and promote the academic, political, social, economic, and cultural welfare of students of color at IC and the greater Ithaca community

These scholarships have been awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. When the selection process opens for the 2025-2026 academic year, a link to the application forms will go live here.