Adjusting to college life can be challenging, regardless of your culture or social identity. It is also understood that being a person of color, a member of the LGBTQ community, or someone with a disability can present unique challenges. What’s important to know is that you do not have to deal with these challenges alone. Seeking help when you are struggling is a sign of great strength!
The UNG community embraces diversity and recognizes that ALL students benefit from learning about and learning from people of different backgrounds. Here, you will find diversity resources and tools to help you explore and celebrate your unique self, connect to community support systems that are available, and develop a deeper understanding of the diversity that exists in the world around you.
We are aware that there are many dimensions of self-identity. While we are committed to offering information about diversity and belonging, this list is not meant to be exhaustive. It will continually be updated as we made aware of more social identity resources, so please share your resources and suggestions with us.
If you are showing signs of severe anxiety, depression, or emotional distress, reach out to Student Counseling Services or any of the counseling resources listed here to get the support that you need.
On This Page:Don't see a student organization for you? We welcome you to start a new organization that provides support and a sense of belonging, promotes your culture, and empowers you to grow as an individual.
Intersectionality, a term coined in 1989 by Kimberle Crenshaw, is defined as: the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
It acknowledges that compounding forms of inequity a person experiences in their life can pose unique mental health challenges.
As a person of color, your experience as a college student might be unique and different from some of your peers. If you find yourself in situations that are not easy to deal with, know that there are resources available to help you.
Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) during your college years may be a very positive experience. You may have found a great network of friends and social clubs that you feel support you. Or, maybe confusion about your gender identity and/or sexual orientation, having a hard time “coming out” to family and friends, and dealing with discrimination are bringing on feelings of fear, shame, guilt, and isolation. It is important that you have the right support to help you.
Students with learning differences or physical disabilities can have very successful academic experiences. Even so, it may feel like you are working harder than some of your peers to accomplish your goals. Especially if your disability is not outwardly obvious, you may be inclined to keep it to yourself out of fear of being judged or misunderstood. This actually makes your struggle even more difficult because you are not taking advantage of the accommodations that Student Accessibility Services can provide.
Utilize our on-campus resources and the following on-line resources to help make your time in college easier.