Students Reflect on Their Experiences with First Round of DEI Mini-Grants

Bowdoin's Center for Multicultural Life created the new funding program last year to provide students with small grants of either $250, $500, or $750 to explore an aspect of a culture, ethnicity, or their identity over the summer.

The Center encouraged students to pursue projects that would lead to their growth and enrichment, suggesting as possibilities that they visit museums, take classes, or go to art shows. After a competitive process, the program's advisors awarded twenty grants.

Student recipients interpreted the objective broadly. A couple attended conferences, others did visit museums. One went for a five-day solo hike on the Appalachian Trail, while another returned to his family's home in Mexico to enjoy daily life in Mexico City, especially with his abuelita.

Maya Dowling-Wolfe, interim assistant director of identity and culture, said the students did great work with the resources and support of the program. "This grant was really significant in letting students explore their interests through personal stories, reflections, culture and social interactions which I find to be quite beautiful," she added.

Below are excerpts from some of the students' written reflections on their experiences.