About CSIU

Bergen Community College's commitment to diversity took shape formally in 1979 with the creation of the Center of International Study, which introduced a global perspective to the college. Then in 1983, as ethnic, cultural, and gender differences were becoming more evident on campus, a comprehensive review of curricula determined ways to make instructional programs more inclusive and sensitive to these differences. The Integration Project included faculty and curriculum development activities to integrate new scholarship on gender, race, ethnicity and class. Efforts grew over the years to include a diversity requirement for transfer programs. Along with curricular innovations, student activities highlighting cultural diversity grew so that the college sponsors an array of cultural heritage celebrations featuring poets, noted speakers, theatrical presentations, and concerts.

Now, however, compelling challenges in our rapidly changing society underscore the need to expand, coordinate, and extend the impact of the college's overall diversity effort.

The Bergen Community College Foundation decided to donate 25% of the net proceeds of its 2000 November Medallion Dinner as a fitting memorial on campus of the tragic 9/11 attack. This generous contribution has helped make the Center for the Study of Intercultural Understanding a reality.

The Center has continued to develop as a recipient of $225,000 from the Bildner Foundation New Jersey Campus Diversity Initiative.

BCC Proposal to the Bildner New Jersey Campus Diversity Initiative

Bergen Community College's goals are guided by a vision that the College will truly be a learning community that values the contributions of all students, faculty, staff, administration, and community.

With students representing 114 different countries, Bergen Community College has made substantial progress toward the development and implementation of learning opportunities, programs and activities that support this vision.