Diversity Profile
Otterbein University is an equal opportunity employer and educator.
The Office of Diversity is located in Student Affairs in Hanby Hall.
Office Hours
M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (academic year)
M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (summer)
Dr. Lisa Patterson Phillips
Director
p / 614.823.1250
Wende´ Nichols
Assistant Director
p / 614.823.1312
Lorraine Martin
Administrative Assistant
p / 614.823.1250
Whether you consider yourself diverse or simply admire all the diversity the world has to offer, make it a part of your Otterbein experience. The Office of Diversity hosts programs for you to explore diverse populations academically, culturally, and socially. Get to know students of color, international students, and GLBTQ students.
Diversity Education
We believe that education is key to understanding and accepting others. The Office of Diversity gives you opportunities to learn more about other cultures. We can introduce you to cultures that are new to you, and teach you more about cultures you thought you knew. Here are some opportunities to learn and meet new friends.
- DESIRE
- Global Village Dinner and Show
- GLBTQ education and programming
- Safezone
- Shades of Success
- Tunnel of Oppression
The Office of Diversity also sponsors several other programs during the year.
Diversity Events
The Office of Diversity sponsors many fun and educational events during the year. Join us and celebrate!
- Black Baccalaureate
- Gospel Festival
- Heritage Months and Traditional Celebration
- Global Village Dinner and Show
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
- Introduction to Kwanzaa Celebration
The Office of Diversity is here to help you find your way around the Otterbein community, and the central Ohio community. Here are some resources that may help you during your time at Otterbein.
The Center for International Education & Global Engagement - The goal of global engagement and international education is to provide structured learning contexts in which students experience and observe values, beliefs, and ways of behaving that are different from their own. Guided, reflective, global experiences facilitate the understanding and clarification of a student’s own values and permit evaluation of stereotypes and misperceptions as well as the discovery of similarities between diverse populations. Students who have these experiences are better prepared to work effectively in multicultural and global environments.
As an Otterbein student, it’s difficult not to get involved on campus! These organizations will help you explore diverse cultures, while making new friends.
- African American Student Union (AASU)
- Freezone!
- Gospel Choir
- Heritage of Latino Americans
- International Students Association
- William Henry Fouse House of Black Culture
- National Pan-Hellinic Council Organizations
- Men of Vision
- Sisters United
Alumni Organization
African American Alumni Association
All Student Organizations
Otterbein has many other student organizations. Check them all out here!
Otterbein is located in Westerville, Ohio. A suburb of the capital city of Columbus, Westerville provides a warm friendly atmosphere for Otterbein students while remaining conveniently located close to a large metropolitan city that is full of cultural and social opportunities. Closer to home, Westerville’s historic Uptown District is just steps from campus and features a nice selection of restaurants, shops, boutiques, and coffeehouses. In 2009, Westerville was ranked 15th on the Top 100 list of "America's Best Places to Live" by Money magazine.
Otterbein University believes in giving back to the community, through service, cultural experiences and business partnerships. Community members are invited to explore our art exhibits and attend our music and theatre performances. Businesses are invited to partner with our courses to provide students with real-life learning experiences in exchange for assistance with business programs and plans.
More on why community is important to us.
At Otterbein University’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE), we believe that even small acts can change the world. And we believe that there are many ways to change the world. So we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities in areas that range from planting trees to tutoring children, and from walking dogs to scrapbooking with senior citizens. For those who want to volunteer a few hours each term, and for those who want to volunteer several hours each week, we have it all!
More on how you can change the world, one small act at a time.