About Us

Created by Kennesaw State University diversity trail-blazers Dr. Nancy King, Paul Benson, and Jerome Ratchford, Cultural and Community Centers, formerly known as Student Engagement and Student Development, was officially established at KSU in 1988 and was led by its founding Director, Dr. Jerome Ratchford. The formation of the department occurred in partnership with the first EEO/Diversity officer, Dr. Pete Silver, Ms. Carol Pope (former Director of Student Development and founder of Student Disability Services), and Dr. Toby Hopper (former Dean of Students and founder of Adult Learner Programs and Volunteer KSU). 

The department was established approximately 20 years after the institution’s founding. Both Dr. King and Benson were concerned about the notable lack of diversity on campus; both were compelled by the need to provide community and safe spaces in the Student Center for underrepresented student populations (i.e., minority students, adult learners, international students, and students with disabilities). Making provisions to support these populations was crucial to the development of a diverse, engaged, and academically successful student population at KSU.  “Though much legislation required services offered by Student Development, we didn't establish the center as a knee-jerk reaction to meeting the laws. We did this out of the spirit of wanting to create a sense of belonging of these populations.” stated Dr. Nancy King, former KSU Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Services. Throughout the years, the department has evolved as the university’s student body has grown and diversified.  Today Cultural and Community Centers supports the needs and concerns of all KSU students with a mission to foster curricular and co-curricular programs and services that link diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, and intersection of identity to holistic student development.