Diversity matters
Eckerd College provides a safe, brave space that educates and inspires students, staff and faculty of all backgrounds to spark critical conversations, break boundaries, and challenge stereotypes through enriching and intentional programming, events and training.
We encourage students to share and value their diverse backgrounds.
A positive campus climate
Our student Cultural Council works hard to create programming for all students on campus and promote a safe and positive climate that is accepting, respectful and welcoming of students of all identities.
Our Festival of Cultures is the most ethnically colorful campus event of the year, featuring native food, music, national costume and history.
Our Cultural Council consists of various student organizations, which can vary from year to year:
Enrichment through intentional programming
Our College Program Series and academic coursework seek to enrich the Eckerd community with ample opportunity to deepen the conversation on inclusivity, diversity, power and oppression.
Students, faculty and staff participate in our hometown’s annual MLK Dream Big Parade, the longest-running parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr. in the country, and monthlong Pride festival, the biggest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in all of Florida.
At our Commencement ceremony, special events celebrate our diverse student community:
- Diversity Leadership Scholars Banquet
- Lavender Graduation
- Senior Step-Up
Spaces to cultivate diversity and inclusion
Our Center for Inclusive Excellence is a comfortable place on campus for students to decompress, express themselves, meet in community and connect with others who celebrate diversity. We welcome everyone to use our Center, to feel included and have their voice heard. Our Center hosts conversation tables, club meetings and other events to bring our community together.
Our Women’s Resource Center was founded in 1965 to create a community for women and advocate for gender and racial equality.
Scholarships for students of color
We encourage friends to contribute to one of our many scholarships dedicated to students of marginalized groups including the Dr. Walter Walker ’74 Annual Scholarship and the Diversity Leadership Scholarship.
Students enjoy Pride festivities in downtown St. Petersburg. Photo: Penh Alicandro ’22
Offices across campus support an environment of inclusion and belonging for all students:
A larger, diverse community in Tampa Bay
Eckerd is not an island. We’re proud to call St. Petersburg, Florida, our home—a city that understands the importance of diversity. St. Petersburg earned a perfect score of 100 (or more!) on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index 10 years in a row, and a 2018 study singled out St. Petersburg as the top-ranked city in Florida for promoting the economic well-being of immigrants.
Promoting change in Tampa Bay
Voting is one of the ways we can institute real change in our communities. Students are encouraged to visit Studentvote.org to register, and faculty and staff living in Pinellas County may visit votepinellas.com to register and stay engaged in local elections—not just national races—because they determine who represents and polices our community.
We encourage the support of Black-owned businesses in St. Petersburg.
We ask everyone at Eckerd to listen to and affirm the voices of Black and brown members of our community. As individuals, we can strive for honest, courageous and meaningful reflection on our personal relationships to white privilege and systemic racism.
Students, faculty and staff must advance the cause of antiracism on campus in small and large ways. We ask everyone to speak up if they see someone using hate speech or being discriminatory and to report offenders to the Office of Community Standards and offer support to the injured community member. Each of us must protect one another and stand as allies in person, not just on social media.
Community Resources
CASA
CASA is the official provider of domestic violence support in Pinellas County. CASA Pinellas serves individuals of all genders, ages, ethnicities, abilities, and socioeconomic status.
EPIC
EPIC works tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities, regardless of HIV or STI status, gender or sexual identity, by addressing the social determinants of health. EPIC provides comprehensive, wrap-around services for people living with HIV throughout Tampa Bay.
Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg believes that racial equity will lead to health equity. The organization acts as a connector, a listener, and a source of fuel that accelerates the powerful work already being done to advance equity.
Metro Inclusive Health
Established in 1993, Metro Inclusive Health provides quality health and wellness services that are inclusive, relevant, supportive and represent the lifetime continuum of the diverse people in our community. Comprehensive medical and social services include HIV services and medical care, social activities and classes, support groups, counseling, health and wellness programs, psychiatric medication management, and more. Metro promotes a healthy environment for all and foster diversity within the community as a whole, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or economic status.
Green Book of Tampa Bay
The Green Book of Tampa Bay is a Black-owned business directory that serves all of Tampa Bay, primarily Pinellas and Hillsborough County. The Green Book’s mission is to increase Black economic vitality in Tampa Bay by connecting Black businesses and the broader community through a digital business directory, business development resources, and cultural experiences.
Promote Anti Racism St. Pete
Promote Anti Racism St. Pete provides a free lending library of antiracism books and books by BIPOC authors.
Suncoast Center
Suncoast Center provides services to adults, children and families in Pinellas County, Florida facing mental health issues, trauma, substance misuse, child abuse and neglect and sexual assault.
The Well for Life
The Well for Life was created in 2017 as a Healing Space prioritizing the needs and leveraging the strengths of BIPOC. The Well’s mission is to Connect, Engage, Equip, Empower, and Elevate through healing centered practice acknowledging legacies of trauma, resistance, and resilience.
Questions?
Ann Sherman-White ’06
Coordinator of Inclusive Student Engagement
shermanwhitead@eckerd.edu
727.864.8405
Banner photo (top) by Zach Franco ’23
