Welcome!
The Office for Advocacy and Opportunity (OAO) (formally known as The office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) assists all units of the College in the efforts to provide affirmative and encouraging environments for work and life at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. OAO aspires to help create and sustain an institutional wide culture which understands that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to the College’s mission and continued Inclusive Excellence efforts. OAO’s purpose is the ongoing enhancement of a campus environment where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and supported for success.
The Office for Advocacy and Opportunity operates the Multicultural Center, which aims to promote inclusion and engagement for historically underrepresented students. Some of the Center’s goals are to cultivate all to be equally empowered in their identity, provide culturally-relevant services, and build an understanding through dialogue.
Please visit the Multicultural Center on the 3rd floor, 24/7 side, of the Library, and The Office for Advocacy and Opportunity on Cantrell Hall's first floor if you are not familiar with the locations.
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MCC internship:
The MCC is a student-centered space, and most of the programs and offerings through it are provided and orchestrated by our MCC Student Interns. We have anywhere from 2-3 interns who work under the Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives Karina Rufino. They provide programs, information, education, and occasional freebies like flags and snacks. Their programming covers topics like race, religion, gender, sexuality, heritage, nationality, and more.
OAO internship:
The intern will work mainly in the Office Advocacy and Opportunity (OAO). They will provide programs, create resources, research, make educational material, advertising/marketing, office hours, public speaking, presentations, etc. The OAO intern will also be responsible for organizing the OAO book club each semester. Programming will cover topics like race, religion, gender, sexuality, heritage, nationality, Veteran status, pregnancy, safety on campus, & Title IX.
The Multicultural Center and OAO are seeking UVA Wise rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to apply for a paid internship. This internship runs from August to May every year. You will complete approximately 10 hours/week and receive Bi-Weekly pay.
Application deadline is Friday February 28, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Once the applications are reviewed you will receive an email notifying you if have advanced to the next interview stage or not.
Got questions? Ask any questions about the Internship to the Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives, Karina Rufino (kr2pt@uvawise.edu).