Multicultural Validation Program
A page within Multicultural Student Services
The Multicultural Validation Program (MVP) is a collaborative effort with the Office of Residence Life and Multicultural Student Services.
MVP strives to:
- Encourage students to define their own goals and values separate from the university by having a dialectical relationship with UWL to understand their education as a place of possibilities and not limits
- Provide a support network for multicultural students to navigate their first year at a PWI (primarily white institution)
- Encourage multicultural students to explore the campus community both in and outside of the residence hall
- Assist multicultural students in identity, peer mentoring and leadership development through programming and professional development.
Resources provided to students will include peer mentors, professional staff advisors, and on-campus opportunities. The program currently consists of four Peer Mentors who have at least one year of experience at UWL and nine incoming students. The mentee and mentors reside in Laux Hall to create a living-learning community.
In MVP (Mentors, Mentees, and Advisors), we:
- Respect and maintain the Mentor/Mentee partnership
- Attend monthly MVP social/development events
- Be involved in at least one multicultural student organization
- Participate in at least one opportunity in their residence hall on campus.
*These are all considered high-impact practices that help students develop transferrable skills early in their college career
Important Dates:
- First Review Date: February 15, 2024
- Second Review Date: March 15, 2024
Mentees receive a partial scholarship for what it costs for a traditional residence hall room!
Mentors will receive a full scholarship for what it costs for a traditional residence hall room!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Steph Pinal (Office of Multicultural Student Services) or Reg Hawkins (Residence Life).
OMSS # 608-785-8225, omss@uwlax.edu
Residence Life # 608-785-8075, housing@uwlax.edu
The application consists of:
- Demographic Information
- A couple short questions
MVP Mentee Application
- 24-25 application is LIVE
MVP Mentor Application
- 24-25 application is LIVE
“I couldn’t understand why being around people that looked like you was important to some people. I had never experienced what it was like to actually be around a group of other people of color and to feel that kind of comfort. It feels kind of weird that this school of 90% white people would be the one to provide me with this kind of experience, but it has been really good.” - First-year student
“Without the MVP program I would have felt lost, especially in the beginning. This program is how I made my first connections.” - Second-year scholar
“In my meetings with my advisors and mentor has indeed made me feel as though I’ve got a good system of dealing with anything that might happen to me in the future, and that’s a very good feeling and I’m glad I have these resources to help me along.” - First-year scholar
“I am excited to be a mentor this year. I am excited to be able to help incoming freshmen get used to campus and college life. I also think I will have fun and be able to gain good experience mentoring people that will help me later on in life. I’m excited to see how this year develops and how I will grow as a person and a mentor.” - Second-year scholar
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Steph Pinal, spinal@uwlax.edu, 608-785-8227
Reg Hawkins, rhawkins@uwlax.edu
Office of Multicultural Student Services (608-785-8225)
Office of Residence Life (608.785.8075)
What are you looking for in the application?
Looking for students that will benefit from being a part of the program and who will be active. MVP is about a horizontal framework versus a traditional "Hiearchy", so everyone being active elevates the program.
Where will I live on campus?
Laux Hall (622 East Avenue N, La Crosse, WI 54601)
You can STILL pick the student you room with, though! Scholars on the floor helps create community from the moment you get to UWL.
What are the program requirements?
- Respect and maintain the Mentor/Mentee partnership
- Attend monthly MVP social/development events
- Be involved in at least one multicultural student organization
- Participate in at least one opportunity in their residence hall on campus
- We try our best to customize the experience to each student's personal goals and values
*These are all considered high-impact practices that help students develop transferrable skills early in their college career