The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), established in 1984, has the unique responsibility of supporting Southern Polytechnic State University with one of its core values with respect to increasing and maintaining minority representation at the University.

Through a comprehensive focus on diversity and multicultural principles, policies and practices the OMA sponsors a number of programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic and global society. We are helping to ensure that hundreds of minority men and women are prepared academically and personally to achieve the goal to work effectively in a technical and multi-cultural global environment.

The mission of the OMA is to provide leadership and direction for the continuous improvement of university-wide efforts to create and sustain a more diverse and inclusive community of learners; to work collaboratively with other university units to build a capacity to recognize and value differences, encourage and support positive interactions between and among diverse populations, and maximize the benefits of a multicultural perspective. The OMA is committed to facilitating and supporting those activities that can increase Southern Polytechnic's capacity to recognize, value, and effectively manage the rich array of differences that make up the university community. The OMA is located in the ATTIC in the Atrium building. The office has established a resource library, which includes videos, audio and literary resources on various diversity and career issues. The office is a good starting point for students who desire to become acquainted with opportunities, people, places and programs on and off campus.

All first and second year minority students are monitored in all of their core courses. The monitoring process includes evaluations that are completed by each professor teaching a first or second year course. The results serve as an early warning to students experiencing difficulty  in their curricula. Students falling below established means are advised on tutoring and course load options. This process involves the professor, the student, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and occasionally, the student's parents.

"CONNECTIONS" is a summer residential program offered to all incoming first-year minority students. Participants live in University housing, eat in the dining hall and introduced to the services of the Minority Advising Program (MAP). This program costs a minimal fee for all invited participants and is designed to ease the challenging transition from high school to our technical curricula and the college environment.

The Multicultural Resource Library is housed in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The library has been established to provide programs and activities designed to increase awareness of the appreciation for multiculturalism at SPSU. It serves as a small repository for reference information containing everything from financial aid to books, magazines, video and audio tapes, and career resources geared toward specific needs and interest of minority students.