Lewis promotes cultural awareness
Campus Times
February 20, 1998
"I like it when students come back and tell me how they are doing,"
said Harvel Lewis, coordinator/adviser of multicultural student affairs.
Lewis came to La Verne following completion of a bachelor's in sociology
from Cal State Fullerton. Presently, she holds a master's in counseling,
with special emphasis in multicultural diversity from ULV.
Nestled in the back of the Student Center is a bungalow decorated inside
with multicultural artifacts and artwork, where Harvel Lewis, coordinator/adviser
of multicultural student affairs, makes her home.
It is in the Minority Resource Center (MRC) where most individuals find
Lewis, advising students in her office or having simple conversations on
any given topic. However, one topic that parallels her job-ethnic diversity-is
one in which Lewis has much energy and interest.
Lewis attended California State University at Fullerton where she received
her bachelor's in sociology. It was at the University of La Verne (ULV),
where Lewis went on to achieve her master's in counseling.
She has two daughters, a granddaughter, and is married to Dr. Robert
Lewis, who teaches ethnic studies at ULV part-time.
"I started working here nine years ago as an administrative assistant
for one year, and the following year, I became the coordinator and advisor
of the Minority Resource Center," said Lewis.
Being MRC coordinator is not Lewis' only job. She also began to teach
Sociology of the Family in the fall, and is now teaching Methods of Research
and CORE 310: International/Intercultural Experience.
Lewis explained the history of the MRC while being coordinator.
"When we first started, it was just partitions. It was right out
here in back (pointing at the back of where the MRC currently stands) and
there were dividers, room dividers, and that was the Minority Resource Center.
"I had a desk and I interviewed students and ran meetings and did
what I had to do right there. That was my office," she said.
This arrangement lasted two years before the center had its own cubicle.
It was originally built for the Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum,
yet was too small for them. Knowing this, Lewis spoke to officials who later
granted the space to the MRC.
With the new space, Lewis used one of the small rooms as an office space.
And a computer for clubs to use to make flyers and bulletins was put in
an adjacent room. The larger area of the MRC was arranged for students to
visit, do homework and hold meetings.
As Lewis explained, more change for the MRC is yet to come. It will
change its name from the Minority Resource Center to the Multicultural Resource
Center, although no official date has been set.
This is largely because the center has evolved into a place where students
of all colors and cultures come and use the facility.
"The Center is for everybody and it has turned into that,"
she said.
Lewis said she hopes the Multicultural Resource Center, as she has begun
to refer to it, will eventually be a place of learning about different cultures,
not just a place to relax and do homework.
She also conducts a series of multicultural retreats in which students
of all ethnicities. It come and talk about race and cultural issues face-to-face.
"I love doing multicultural workshops and have students face one
another and tell their fears. I like us recognizing the differences of one
another," said Lewis.
She believes ULV should have an event monthly for cultural issues, for
example, a speaker or open forum, where race and culture shock can be discussed.
"I like the idea of students learning about racism. I like them
being able to express themselves on the subject," Lewis said.
"Many students have a counseling/mother relationship with her,"
said junior Daniel Pulley.
Lewis' job revolves primarily on multicultural issues, but she has been
and continues to be, a friend and confidant to many people.
