Our campus community has people from nearly every socioeconomic and cultural background. Preparing students for a global community is part of our mission and US News & World Report calls us one of the most diverse colleges in the country.
Lake Forest College students have experiences that develop understanding, respect, and appreciation for the diverse cultures of the community members around them.
Students will be prepared to live, work, and serve, respectfully and responsibly, on campus and in the global community.
Intercultural Relations
- Social Justice Resources on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Intercultural House
- International Student Resources
- Student Mental Health Initiative
- Success and Support
- First Connection
- LGBTQ+
- Undocumented Students
- Signature Events
- Student Leadership
- Institutional Diversity
- Bias Incident Response Process
- Meet Our Staff
- Intercultural Advisory Group
Our Mission
The Office of Intercultural Relations supports the College’s mission to “embrace diversity” by promoting intercultural dialogue, understanding, and respect among the many cultural identities represented within our community. The Office staff also works to foster student success for traditionally underrepresented and underserved groups including, but not limited to, students of color, first generation students, international students, and students identifying as LGBTQ.
Celebrate, Educate, and Advocate are the three pillars of the Office of Intercultural Relations. We celebrate our culturally diverse community through our signature intercultural events and collaborations with student organizations. We educate our community about diversity, inclusion, and social justice through trainings, dialogue courses, and programs. We advocate for our students regarding academic and co-curricular concerns and provide opportunities for empowerment and support.
Our Work
Even before classes start, our students feel the extra support our community provides when they attend First Connection, a pre-orientation program that provides an extra cushion for incoming students as they transition to life at Lake Forest College, both within and outside of the classroom.
The Office of Intercultural Relations provides ample opportunities and programs for students to learn more about the diversity that embraces them at the College. Whether it’s listening to someone on campus share their experiences at Soup and Stories or tapping their feet to the music played at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Program, our community embraces its cultural diversity.
Department Staff
Office of Intercultural Relations
Rosemary House, South Campus
847-735-5105
intercultural@lakeforest.edu
Marianinna Villavicencio Miranda, PhD
she/her/hers
Assistant Director of Intercultural Relations
847-735-5105
mvillavicencio@mx.lakeforest.edu
Sandra Ortiz Siu
she/her/hers
DSO, International Student Coordinator
sortiz@lakeforest.edu
847-735-5202
News From the Office of Intercultural Relations
February 23, 2023
CNN turns to Nevin Heard for insight on racial trauma
