Exploring a MOSAIC Campus

For many students navigating campus life, finding a place to belong can shape their entire college experience. At Seattle University, The MOSAIC Center works to create spaces where students can connect, reflect and build community across identities and experiences.

What is now The MOSAIC Center grew from other individual offices and student-facing programs that operated separate from one another. Today, the center reflects a more unified approach to supporting students both inside and beyond the classroom, with a particular focus on students who historically underrepresented and from minoritized backgrounds.

Michelle Minjoe Kim, director of The MOSAIC Center, says the name itself reflects how the center approaches community building.

“A mosaic felt different,” says Kim. “Each individual piece is already whole and meaningful on its own and when those pieces come together, they create something new.” The metaphor shapes how the center views belonging, not as something students must fit into, but as something they help create together.

Throughout the year, the center hosts programs that range from large campus celebrations to smaller student-led gatherings. Celebrations that honor Lunar New Year, the graduating class and the LGBTQ+ community are among events that build pride, bringing students together to create new traditions. Beyond social events, the center also offers practical resources that support students’ well-being and sense of belonging. These include workshops and consultations focused on social justice and equity, emergency support funds for one-time financial hardships and access to gender-affirming resources.

The center also offers various workshops on topics such as transgender solidarity, social awareness and allyship, along with discussion groups and creative activities that cultivate engagement and connection. Quarterly programs such as BIPOC Lunch and commuter appreciation gatherings provide low-pressure opportunities for students to meet peers, explore identity and feel supported in everyday campus life.

Leadership development is another key part of the center’s work. Programs like the Connections Leadership Program Plus (CLP+) help incoming students of color and first-generation students build networking and leadership skills, while the STEP(Second & Third-year Excellence Program) supports second- and third-year students exploring identity and professional development. The Rooted Retreat, co-facilitated with University Ministry, offers space for rest, reflection and community building.

The MOSAIC Center also offers workshops and training sessions for students, faculty and staff, focusing on topics such as inclusive community building, dialogue across differences and social awareness. These trainings are often requested by departments or student groups and are part of the center’s broader mission to foster a more connected campus culture.

Beyond events and programs, The MOSAIC Center also supports students through four physical community spaces known as “The Links.” Located across campus, the Commuter & Transfer Link, Graduate & Adult Learner Link, Intercultural Link and Pride Link are designed as welcoming environments where students can study, relax or connect with others. While each Link highlights particular student communities, all students are welcome. The goal is to create visible spaces that signal care and belonging while remaining open to anyone seeking connection.

Student staff members, known as MOSAIC Community Ambassadors, play an important role in shaping these spaces and planning programs throughout the year. From organizing craft nights and discussion circles to hosting cultural celebrations, their work reflects the center’s emphasis on student voices and collaboration. Director Kim notes that many ideas grow organically from conversations between students and staff, allowing programs to evolve alongside the needs and interests of the campus community.

Ultimately, The MOSAIC Center’s work is rooted in everyday moments of connection with an aim to create an environment where students feel welcomed and valued.