Women’s History Month: Unifying the University One Step at a Time
Deep in the corners of the Gallagher Center are an array of offices that offer amazing opportunities for students, faculty and staff. This is exceptionally true for one office: The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), and the woman in charge – Averl Harbin – are making enormous changes throughout Niagara University. Harbin, also known as “Boss Lady,” is the catalyst behind some of the biggest events and activities on campus.
As the director of multicultural affairs, Harbin is responsible for the daily operations of the office that include, but are not limited to, the creation, facilitation and assessment of educational and co-curricular activities that promote a multicultural learning community. To Harbin, multiculturalism is the interdisciplinary company and support of different ethnicities and cultures in society.
“We want to allow students the opportunity to learn about cultures unlike their own,” Harbin says. “With respect to their own cultures, it should be something that students, faculty and administrators are willing to participate in.”