PEACE Center

Peace Center Logo

Our Mission

The PEACE (Pride, Equity, Access, Cultural Exchange) Center is an inclusive and welcoming space that seeks to celebrate and support historically under-resourced student populations at  Prairie State College. Through academic support, connections  to resources, opportunities to build community, and advocacy,  the PEACE Center empowers diverse communities to create an  inclusive campus for all students across identities, expressions, backgrounds, and statuses. 

This PEACE Center serves as a hub where students can access various services and programs to develop their leadership skills. Students are exposed to opportunities to enhance their academic growth and personal development through peer-led initiatives, programs, and outings, including community events, cultural heritage celebrations, cultural commencements such as the Lavender graduation ceremony for LGBTQIA+ students, and networking workshops. 

As a result of engaging in PEACE Center programs and  services, students will:  

  • Have the opportunity to increase their sense of community  and pride within the PSC campus. 
  • Explore the different dimensions of their self and identity. 
  • Increase their knowledge and connection to resources on  campus that can help them improve academically and excel  as students. 
  • Enhance their leadership skills. 
  • Gain experience with practicing respectful ways of interacting  and building community with people who are from different  backgrounds than their own as they prepare for their future  roles in their fields and in the world. 
  • Learn effective ways to nurture their mental and emotional health. 

 

Introducing our Food Pantry!

We are excited to open our very first food pantry to support our  students. This initiative allows students to virtually shop from a list of  available items. Our strategic setup will allow us to efficiently serve as  many as possible, while maintaining fairness and accessibility for all  students.  

One Million Degrees offers support and up to $1000 in stipends to  participants. In our new partnership with OMD, we assign 60 male  African American and Latinx students to PEACE Center coordinators  for personalized support and monthly programs tailored to meet their  needs. The students attend information and Scholar Intake Sessions to  establish connections and build plans for success before getting paired  with an OMD Coach who will work with them throughout the year.

Partnerships With One Million Degrees

One Million Degrees offers support and up to $1000 in stipends to  participants. In our new partnership with OMD, we assign 60 male  African American and Latinx students to PEACE Center coordinators  for personalized support and monthly programs tailored to meet their  needs. The students attend information and Scholar Intake Sessions to  establish connections and build plans for success before getting paired  with an OMD Coach who will work with them throughout the year.  

 

"I am confident that working with these exceptional OMD scholars will lead to  continued success.”

- Jennica Rodriguez, Director, PEACE Center.