Intercultural Learning and Engagement (ILE) at SNU

Today’s students graduate into a highly diverse world in which they encounter a myriad of viewpoints and experiences. Intercultural Learning and Engagement (ILE) prepares our students for this reality by introducing them to new perspectives, gaining empathy for others with different experiences than their own, and thinking critically about the role that their own experiences and intuitive posture affect beliefs and behavior.

As a Nazarene institution and a people committed to Wesleyan-Holiness, we endeavor to embody a social holiness towards the “creation of a more just and equitable society and world.” We also strive to “identify and seek to remove acts and structures of prejudice, to facilitate occasions for seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and to take action toward empowering those who have been marginalized” (quotes from the Church of the Nazarene Manual 2023). Thus, we prepare students to work with people of all backgrounds and become thoughtful, engaged members of their communities to make a difference in the world.

As with any learning institution, SNU is on a journey to become more like what God intends for us as a community committed to love and righteousness.  As the journey is as important as the destination, we intentionally focus on learning opportunities, activities, and practices that recognize, respect, and engage with the diverse cultural backgrounds of our students, faculty, and staff to reflect Christ’s call to love and justice.

SNU embraces a justice lens, which goes beyond asking who is included. Instead, we believe in amplifying marginalized voices and in never sacrificing one group’s safety or humanity to avoid uncomfortable conversations. Diversity is something we focus on every day—not a single office, and certainly not something that can be represented in a single group or type of person. An equitable, justice-oriented commitment informs everything we do. Here’s how.

We value the worth and dignity of all people. SNU strives to be a culturally responsive community where all members are respected, valued, and appreciated. We believe all people are made in the image of God, and a diverse community valuing the contributions of every person is essential to SNU and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, abstaining from racism of any kind, discrimination, hate speech, bullying of any kind, or public disregard for any individual or group is expected. Loving others as ourselves is our goal, so treating all others with value, respect, compassion, cultural humility, and responsiveness is expected.