The Office of Multicultural Services was established in 1998 as an integral part of the Student Services Counseling Division at North Harris College. The OMS is committed to serving students, faculty, staff and the community by promoting acceptance, appreciation, respect and understanding of all people as equal. This program assists in providing quality education to serve the unique needs of our college population and coordinating multicultural campus activities. The OMS promotes active student participation in the planning process of their academic, social and personal success.

The OMS focuses on providing the necessary tools for all students of diverse background to achieve the holistic college experience. The Office is accessible to any student with questions, concerns, or ideas about diversity, multicultural education and campus awareness.

OMS Objectives:

• To reach out to all faculty, staff and students so that together we create an inclusive community.
• To foster an open and aware community that respects all individuals for their uniqueness yet places the focus on our commonalties as people.
• To serve as a resource for community awareness programs and initiatives across campus.
• To coordinate and implement the goals of the Cross-Cultural Communication Committee.
• To initiate and develop educational programming that enhances the College’s effort to increase the recruitment and persistence of traditionally underrepresented students.
• To create opportunities for students to expand their cultural knowledge and appreciation.

The OMS believes that an active student body is essential to college experience. Students involved in organizations develop strong communication, leadership and organizational skills. Student Organizations that contribute to the College’s dynamic blend of diverse culture are:

Promotes cultural exchange and awareness of African American heritage. AASA serves as a catalyst for empowering and supporting students in striving for academic excellence, developing progressive leadership skills and preparing for personal success.

disAbility Awareness Association

Fosters public awareness about individual capabilities while organizing student community/social activities.

Gay and Lesbian Students in Support

G.L.O.S.S. purpose is to increase AIDS awareness and availability of resources in the college community and to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone regardless of sexual or lifestyle orientation and to combat homophobia, discrimination and prejudice.

Hispanic Student Forum

Provides an avenue for fellowship among students interested in Hispanic-American cultural exchange and awareness. H.S.F. develops and fosters leadership potential among the membership.

International Student Association

Serves as a support group for incoming international students, and to unite the campus’s diverse cultures.

"Show of Hands" of NHC

Promotes awareness of the deaf culture and sign language. Hearing and deaf students are all welcome to understand and to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf cultures.

Vietnamese Students Association

Assists Vietnamese students in their adjustment to college life.

Men and Women in Action

Prepares students for leadership roles in their community. Students are expected to actively participate in a number of activities such as recruitment, high school visits, tutoring, mentoring and leadership workshops.

Cultural Diversity Curriculum Courses

The curriculum of North Harris College also speaks to multicultural and diversity. Studies here would be incomplete without some formal study in the area of cultural diversity. Some courses that may interest you are:

• ARTS 1301 Art Appreciation
• ARTS 1303 Art History Survey I
• ARTS 1304 Art History Survey II
• ENGL 2332 Masterpieces of World Literature I
• ENGL 2333 Masterpieces of World Literature II
• HIST 2321 World History I
• HIST 2322 World History II
• HUMA 1301 Introduction to the Humanities
• HUMA 1101 Leadership Studies – A Multi-Perspective Approach
• GEOG 1303 World Geography
• GEOG 2312 Economic Geography
• PHED 1130 Tai chi
• PHED 1127 Karate
• PSYC 1301 Human Relations
• RELI 1304 Introduction to World
• SOCI 1301 Principles of Sociology
• SOCI 2319 Minority Studies
• SOCI 2331 Current Issues in Sociology
• Modern Languages: FREN; GERM; JAPN; RUSS; SGNL; and SPAN