On Oct. 31, Brandeis’ Intercultural Center (ICC) announced via their Instagram account that they’re “thrilled to welcome Peter Rojas as our new ICC Director! With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Peter aims to strengthen our community and foster a space where all students feel heard.”
In a separate news article on Brandeis Stories, Rojas noted that “his passion for his work is rooted in his own college experiences.” Rojas is, according to that article, “first in his family to be born in the United States to immigrant Colombian parents, Rojas grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts. He attended UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell, where he graduated. Later, he earned a master’s degree in higher education administration at Florida International University.” He has experience across the country working to support underrepresented communities, and recently moved back to Massachusetts to work at Merrimack College, where he became the Assistant Dean of Intercultural Initiatives.
Rojas spoke more about his work in this article, adding that during his time in college he “struggled with the transition from a familiar high school environment to large college classes. Without someone who shared my background, I felt disconnected from the advice I received. This experience drove me to become someone who students can relate to and trust.” His main goals for the ICC are “partnering with other student facing offices, and providing guidance beyond event planning.” He also aims to have the ICC as a “a space where students seek advice and share lived experiences. We aim to be relatable, understand the pressures students face, and foster active listening so that advice resonates, whether immediately or years down the line.”
The ICC has a rich history, having been a key part of Brandeis for over 30 years. A detailed timeline can be found on the Center’s website. Now, the ICC is home to 17 student organizations, and is committed to “providing a nurturing and inclusive haven where racially minoritized and Indigenous groups can come together to connect, build coalitions and cultivate mutual understanding.”
